Pentax
DCF SP
A
Sharp New Binocular from Pentax
by
Michael and Diane Porter
Sharp
all the way to the edges, the Pentax DCF SP shines for its outstanding
ergonomic qualities. It focuses as close as 6.6 ft. It's compact
and lightweight (25 oz.), with a magnesium-alloy body.
Pentax
did a lot of things right on this one. Eyecups twist up, with
three click stops to let the user select the needed degree of
eye relief. The objective lens covers are tethered to the binoculars
in a way that doesn't let them get in the way of the view but
keeps them from getting lost. The 8x43 model has exemplary eye
relief of 22mm (17mm on the 10x43).
The diopter adjustment locks. The dark green rubber-armored surface
is pleasantly easy to keep a grip on. Exposed lenses have a special
coating that resists moisture condensation, to keep the binoculars
from fogging up outside and well as inside.
Of
course, it's waterproof and nitrogen purged. If it gets dusty,
you can rinse it off in the sink.
Oh,
and by the way, it costs about half of what the other top binoculars
do.
Comes
in 10x43, 8x43, 10x50, and 12.5x50. We looked at the 10x43 and
the 8x43.
Features:
Waterproof.
In fact, it's "fully submersible to one meter." If itgets
dusty, you can rinse it off in the sink. Honest! (Just don't squirt
the water to make strong pressure.)
Nitrogen
filled, which means it will never fog up inside, even
if you go someplace steamy like the tropics.
Phase
coated roof prisms enhance the contrast and provide
sharp images.
Super-Multi
Coating for increased light transmission.
Soft
rubber armoring. The non-slip texture and soft armoring
feel secure and feel nice in your hands.
Long
eye relief, especially on the 8x43, provides excellent
viewing with or without eyeglasses.
Twist-up
eyecups, for for easy use by eyeglass wearers.
Lightweight
magnesium frame. The 8-power and the 10-power versions
weigh 25 oz. ounces.
Close
focus down to 6.6 feet. Few binoculars will let you
see so near. And it's important. When the bird comes up close,
you want to study it in all the glory of its details, and you
don't want to have to back away to do so.
Click-stop
diopter adjustment locks in the right eyepiece, so
your adjustment stays the way you set it.
Warranty:
Any manufacturer defect in the binoculars is completely covered
for one year. Wear-and-tear and damage due to use is not covered.
All
Pentax binoculars offered for sale through Birdwatching Dot Com
come with a Pentax US warranty card.
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