Mid-Sized Binoculars
Review
Mid-sized Magic
Binoculars are magic. They give us supernatural sight and make the sport of birding possible. However, if you don’t have them with you, it won’t matter how wonderful they are back on the shelf. You need binoculars you’ll always want to take along.
The Contenders
This article compares 13 mid-sized, 8x32 binoculars. A chart shows their specifications and scores. Here are the features we studied.
Resolution
With smaller objective lenses, 32mm binoculars theoretically cannot deliver quite the resolution of 42mm models. However, at 8 power it’s hard to actually see any difference. Computer-controlled lens grinding and polishing have advanced optical performance so much that many excellent binoculars, even 32mm, now produce images with more detail than one’s eyes can see.
That is probably why the top five binoculars in our survey all tied for first place in resolution. The others were also surprisingly good. To rate the binoculars’ optical quality, we set up a stable tripod stand with a beanbag rest. Across a large room we posted a standard USAF-1951 optics resolution chart that let us translate the level of detail we could see into a numeric score for each binocular. Diane, who has 20-20 eyesight, did the testing. Resolution was the most heavily weighted component of the overall scores.
Close Focus
How close a binocular will focus depends both on the optics and on the individual’s eyes. Manufacturers may not all measure it the same way, so we tested all the binoculars using Michael’s eyes.
Because people’s eyes differ in how close they can focus, another person doing the same test might produce different measurements, but the scores would sort in the same order. Close focus counted toward the overall scores. Yay butterflies!
Of the binoculars in the study, the one with the closest minimum focus was the Leica Trinovid 8x32, focusing down to an amazingly close 3.3 feet.
Diopter Adjustment Mechanism
The diopter adjustment lets you compensate for focusing differences between your right and left eyes. Once you set the diopter correctly, you don’t need to change it. You can focus just by turning the central focus knob.
Good diopters are easy to adjust and have a marked scale, like the Swarovski EL 8x32. The best also lock so that they can’t be accidentally changed. The adjustment is usually on the right eyepiece. Better yet, some let you click out the central focus knob and then use it to adjust the diopter. The chart shows which kind of diopter each binocular has. We scored each diopter and incorporated the result into the overall score.
Immersion
Immersion results from the combination of eye relief, eyecup range, and field of view. A really great binocular gives the experience of immersion, the sense of being drawn into the scene. The binocular almost seems to disappear, and your attention is entirely on the bird.
To get immersion requires synergy between several influences: field of view, eye relief, eyecup range, and you! All interact to determine whether you can position the binocular at the perfect distance from your eyes, enabling you see the full field of view.
What's in the Chart?
Here’s how to use the specifications in the chart to help figure out what binocular might best work for you.
Eye Relief
If you wear glasses, eye relief is paramount. If the eye relief is too short, you see only the center of the image. You get robbed.
The binoculars in this test ranged from 13.3 mm to 20 mm of eye relief, according to the manufacturers. However, measuring eye relief is not standardized, so you can’t entirely rely on the manufacturers’ figures. It’s best to test binoculars with your own hands, eyes, and glasses.
If you wear glasses, 16mm is generally considered the minimum eye relief. However, everyone’s glasses are different. Granny glasses require less eye relief. Aviator glasses need more. A longer eye relief of 17.5 mm, like that of the Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32, is a safe bet that the eye relief will be adequate for everyone, including glasses wearers.
Eyecup Range
There’s an optimum distance between your eye and the eyepiece. Too close, and black circles close in from the sides. Too far, and you can’t see the entire image. There’s a sweet spot, where you get the whole image. Eyecups twist up or down to let you get that distance right. If you wear glasses, twist in. If you do not, twist out.
For optimum steadiness, your eyecups should rest against your face or glasses. How much eyecup length you need is personal, depending on how deep set your eyes are and what style of glasses, if any, you wear. We measured eyecup range with a caliper and included it in the chart. In general, longer eyecup range provides more flexibility.
Field of View
A wider field of view increases your chances of spotting the bird. It also contributes to the sense of immersion. A high score is good, but unless the eye relief and eyecup range also fit you, you may not experience the full field of view.
The importance of these factors varies from person to person. Therefore, they did not count toward the overall scores. You’ll find some comments in the individual reviews.
Individual Binocular Reviews
We did reviews of some binoculars that we recommend as best values.
Swarovski EL 8x32 (discontinued)
Optical resolution score: 10.0
Overall score: 9.8
The slender Swarovski EL earned the top overall score. Its optics and ergonomics are superb. Its open bridge design makes it easy to hold it with one hand.
It works for everyone, glasses wearer or not. Thanks to the long eyecup range and the generous 20mm of eye relief, everybody gets the full field of view—420 feet at 1000 yards. Without eyeglasses, you can rest both the top and the bottom of the eyecups comfortably against your eye sockets, while eyeglass wearers can brace the binocular securely against their glasses.
The diopter adjustment mechanism clicks into play when you pull up on the focus knob, at which point it focuses the right eyepiece. You see a clear, numbered scale. The focus knob, having been transformed into the diopter adjustment, turns smoothly and has indents, so you can easily adjust it, click by click. Push the focus knob down again, and the knob returns to normal focusing.
There’s a second, super lock on the end of the focus knob, which prevents the diopter setting from being changed by accident.
The objective lens covers are semi permanently attached. The lens covers drop neatly and don’t flap up and cover the glass at a crucially wrong moment. Eyecups twist out to three positions that hold once you set them yet are easy to adjust.
2021 UDATE ~ Swarovski has discontinued production on 32mm ELs. The current 32mm Swarovski is the NL Pure line, which includes both 32mm and 42mm models.
See pricing on the Swarovski NL Pure binoculars
Kowa Genesis Prominar 8x32
Optical resolution score: 10.0
Overall score: 9.6
We judged the Kowa Genesis XD a great value. Its resolution score matched that of the Swarovski EL and the Leica Ultravid, each of which costs almost twice as much. Its field of view was one of the most generous in the survey, providing a satisfying sense of complete immersion in the scene for users who do not wear glasses.
If you’re not using eyeglasses, you can rest the binocular comfortably against your eye sockets. If you do wear glasses, however, you may want to test the Genesis in person, as the 15mm of eye relief may prove insufficient.
The diopter adjustment mechanism, on the right barrel, is one of the best. It has a lock to prevent it from getting accidentally turned off its setting. A nifty feature of the diopter ring is the saddle rest for your thumb, which lets you turn the adjusting ring smoothly and securely.
The focus knob is textured metal, and finger friendly enough, though not quite so grippy as some of the rubberized focus knobs of other binoculars.
Pricing for Kowa Genesis 33 Prominar XD 8x33
Details for all the Kowa Genesis Prominar XD binoculars
Leica Trinovid 8x32
Optical resolution score: 10.0
Overall score: 9.5
The 8x32 Trinovid has a minimum focus distance of only 3.3 feet, way closer than any of the other binoculars in our study. This is a huge feature for observing butterflies, or hummingbirds at feeders. And although the Leica Trinovid costs less than half as much as the Leica Ultravid, it achieved the same, top, resolution score.
So we had to ask… if you are going for Leica, what do you give up if you buy the Trinovid rather than the Ultravid HD-Plus? Both binoculars have exemplary resolution, focus knobs, center hinges, and eyecups.
With a field of view of 327 feet at 1000 yards, the Trinovid has a narrower field of view than the Ultravid’s 404 feet. Yet the Trinovid has much longer eye relief (17mm) than the Ultravid (13.3mm). Therefore, a person wearing glasses may see as wide a field of view with the Trinovid as with the Ultravid.
The Trinovid has the common style of diopter adjustment mechanism, a knurled ring on the right eyepiece. There is no lock to prevent you from moving it accidentally, but a conspicuous red line on the ring tells you at a glance where it’s set.
We regard this binocular as a best buy.
See pricing on the Leica Ultravid HD-Plus 8x32
See details on all the Leica Trinovid binoculars
Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32
Optical resolution score: 10.0
Overall score: 9.2
Although the price of the Zeiss Conquest HD is about half that of the most expensive binoculars in our survey, the resolution score was just as high. We deemed it another best buy, with great optics and comfort in use.
It feels substantial in the hand, as a full-sized binocular might, even though at 22.2 oz. it’s considerably lighter. It’s comfortable to hold. You can reach the focus knob without strain, and the strap lugs don’t bump your hand. The focus knob is pleasant to turn.
Eyecups twist out with four set positions, which have a soft lock to maintain the eyecups where you put them. You adjust the diopter by a knurled ring on the right barrel. There are minimal markings and no lock.
The Conquest’s 16mm eye relief seems fine both with and without glasses. The field of view is a generous 420 feet at 1000 yards. When we conducted our own field-of-view tests, we found that the Conquest HD had a wider field of view than any other binocular in the survey.
See pricing on the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 binocular
See details on all the Zeiss Conquest HD binoculars
Zeiss Terra HD 8x32
Optical resolution score: 9.1
Overall score: 8.8
The binocular with the highest resolution score for any model under $899 was the $400 Terra HD. It’s a hand-friendly binocular. The focus knob turns smoothly and is placed so that the index finger reaches straight across without having to angle away, while the other fingers rest easily on the bridge.
We appreciate the detail of the strap attachment. An unobtrusive, thin, nylon cord goes through the lugs, and the strap’s quick-release attachment lets you hand the binocular to a friend. The eyecups twist up and down with no indents or soft locks, but with enough resistance to hold their position.
The diopter adjustment mechanism has the right tension to hold the setting. A scale or clearer markings would have been a plus.
The Terra got the top overall score among the mid-priced binoculars.
See pricing on the Zeiss Terra HD 8x32
See details on all the Zeiss Terra HD binoculars
Vortex Diamondback 8x32
Optical resolution score: 8.9
Overall score: 6.9
At just 4.3 inches long, the Vortex Diamondback is one of the most compact binoculars in our study. It has quite good optical clarity and brightness, and it got the top overall score in the inexpensive category.
It’s hand friendly. The hinge and focus knob move smoothly, with the right degree of resistance. The diopter adjustment mechanism is above average. You line up a tiny green-on-green bump on the body to some un-numbered indentations on a knurled wheel. The indentations are black against black and not particularly visible. However, once the ring has been set, the degree of turning resistance should keep it in place.
The eye relief of 15.6mm may be skimpy for some glasses wearers. Wearing his aviator glasses, Michael found he didn’t get the entire field of view, but with her smaller glasses, Diane found it OK. If you wear glasses you might want to try it before you buy it.
NOTE The scores and specifications in the chart refer to the earlier Diamondback, without the "HD" in the name. Between the time we submitted this review to Birdwatcher's Digest and the time it was published, the Vortex Diamondback has been updated and upgraded. It now utilizes the higher quality HD glass, bringing greater resolution and brightness. The name now includes the letters "HD."
Another significant improvement is to the focus knob. In the new HD version, the focus knob is smoother and easier to turn than in the original. The eye relief in the new Diamondback 8x32 is 16mm, making it more likely to be usable by a person wearing glasses.
This is a significant improvement on a very popular binocular. And here's a pleasant surprise: the price has not gone up at all!
Pricing on NEW Vortex Diamondback 8x32 HD
Details on all NEW Vortex Diamondbacks
Conclusion
Our advice. If you wear glasses, go for a binocular that has long eye relief, so that you can enjoy the big picture. And if at all possible, before you buy one, try to find a way to look through it first, with your own glasses. Notice if you can see the same field of view while wearing your glasses as you see with your glasses off. You’ll also find out how the binocular suits your hands.
Being able to see fine details is part of the enjoyment of birding, and often it makes the difference in a successful identification. Birding is an inexpensive sport (if you don’t count travel), and your binocular is your most important equipment. Get the best binocular you can afford. Maybe even stretch a little. Money is replaceable. Days spent birding are not.
Binoculars are a very personal choice. And for many birders, mid-sized binoculars are not too big, not too small, but just right.
The Chart — A few words of explanation
Three-part chart separates the binoculars into three parts, by price: High End ($899 to $2199); Mid Priced ($299 to $400); Low Priced ($149 to $190).
Street Price is the current offering on the Internet at the time of writing. Prices can fluctuate.
Field of View and Eye Relief are the manufacturer’s specifications. Note that they may not all be consistently measured in the same way.
Weight, Length, and Eyecup Range are the authors’ measurements.
Resolution Score and Diopter Score were mapped so that the top scores were a 10. These scores cannot be compared to scores in other articles.
Overall Score encompasses the Resolution Score, Close Focus, and the Diopter Score, with the greatest weight on resolution. A perfect score is 10.
THE CHARTS
| Swarovski EL |
Leica Ultravid HD-Plus |
Kowa Genesis 33 |
Leica Trinovid |
Zeiss Conquest HD |
|
High-End $899 to $2199 |
|
 |
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|
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| Size | 8x32 | 8x32 | 8x33 | 8x32 | 8x32 |
| Street Price | $2199 | $1999 | $1150 | $899 | $930 |
| Hinge Design | Open Bridge | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Weight (oz.) | 21.0 | 18.9 | 20.9 | 22.9 | 22.2 |
| Length (in.) | 5.6 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Field of View @ 1000 yds. (ft.) | 423 | 404 | 420 | 372 | 420 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 20 | 13.3 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
| Eyecup Range (mm) | 11.1 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Close Focus (ft.) | 6.7 | 6.9 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
| Resolution Score | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Diopter Location | Center | Center | Eyepiece | Eyepiece | Eyepiece |
| Diopter Score | 10.6 | 9.6 | 9.0 | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Overall Score | 9.8 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.2 |
