PLEASE talk me out of Minolta 8-20x50 zoom binocs

I've heard generally bad reports about zoom binoculars optical quality, but
these Minolta zooms seem nice with BAK-4 prisms, full multicoating, 15mm er
etc:

http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/mai...PG/CPGProducts
?cname=bino&fname=bino_activa&Mname=Activa_Standar d_Zoom

(Watch for line wrap with long url)

I have a pair of 8x40s which are lightweight, compact, sharp, and great for
just panning around the sky. I enjoy getting up from the scope, having a
stretch, and and lying on my back and cruising around the sky with these
binos. So I thought, even with the narrower 4.5deg FOV of the zooms, the
ability to zoom in on an object of interest (realistically 12x-16x I'm
guessing, in terms of shake and useable mag) would quite enhance this casual
approach.

Previously on saa I've given a happy review for a zoom ep; a good pair of
zoom binocs on the face of it have similar appeal - if such a thing as a
good pair exists.

Any experience or thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark

"Mark & Roslyn Elkington" wrote in message
...
I've heard generally bad reports about zoom binoculars optical quality,
but
these Minolta zooms seem nice with BAK-4 prisms, full multicoating, 15mm
er
etc:


http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/mai...PG/CPGProducts
?cname=bino&fname=bino_activa&Mname=Activa_Standar d_Zoom

(Watch for line wrap with long url)

I have a pair of 8x40s which are lightweight, compact, sharp, and great
for
just panning around the sky. I enjoy getting up from the scope, having a
stretch, and and lying on my back and cruising around the sky with these
binos. So I thought, even with the narrower 4.5deg FOV of the zooms, the
ability to zoom in on an object of interest (realistically 12x-16x I'm
guessing, in terms of shake and useable mag) would quite enhance this
casual
approach.

My thinking was much the same as yours a few years ago, when I bought a
multi-zoom binocular made in the UK (also quite expensive). I thought they
were great until I got over the "wow factor", then I realized they were
nearly unusable and finally sold them at a hefty loss. The problem was
holding them steady enough to see what you're pointing at. This problem
could be solved by using a binocular mount, but then it's easier to use a
small scope than one of these contraptions. Nevertheless, once you get over
10x, the image is so shaky it's not worth the effort. Suggest you try
before you buy.

Al



Previously on saa I've given a happy review for a zoom ep; a good pair of
zoom binocs on the face of it have similar appeal - if such a thing as a
good pair exists.

Any experience or thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark

"Al" wrote in message
. net...

The problem was holding them steady enough to
see what you're pointing at.

this problem is also exacerbated by the narrower field of view of zoom
optics because it' will beharder to get an object in view in the first
place. the advantage of binoc's is their wide field; don't give it up!

clear, dark skies--

mark d.

The problem was holding them steady enough to
see what you're pointing at.

this problem is also exacerbated by the narrower field of view of zoom
optics because it' will beharder to get an object in view in the first
place. the advantage of binoc's is their wide field; don't give it up!

Good point, and a parameter that I looked in when buying the 8x40s.
Ah, there's always comprimise :-)

Cheers,
Mark

"Al" wrote in message .net...
"Mark & Roslyn Elkington" wrote in message
...
I've heard generally bad reports about zoom binoculars optical quality,
but
these Minolta zooms seem nice with BAK-4 prisms, full multicoating, 15mm
er
etc:


http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/mai...PG/CPGProducts
?cname=bino&fname=bino_activa&Mname=Activa_Standar d_Zoom

(Watch for line wrap with long url)

I have a pair of 8x40s which are lightweight, compact, sharp, and great
for
just panning around the sky. I enjoy getting up from the scope, having a
stretch, and and lying on my back and cruising around the sky with these
binos. So I thought, even with the narrower 4.5deg FOV of the zooms, the
ability to zoom in on an object of interest (realistically 12x-16x I'm
guessing, in terms of shake and useable mag) would quite enhance this
casual
approach.

My thinking was much the same as yours a few years ago, when I bought a
multi-zoom binocular made in the UK (also quite expensive). I thought they
were great until I got over the "wow factor", then I realized they were
nearly unusable and finally sold them at a hefty loss. The problem was
holding them steady enough to see what you're pointing at. This problem
could be solved by using a binocular mount, but then it's easier to use a
small scope than one of these contraptions. Nevertheless, once you get over
10x, the image is so shaky it's not worth the effort. Suggest you try
before you buy.

I don't have try first option unfortunately, always the best advice.
Thanks for your comments - some people go with mounted binos (I enjoy
using someone else's trapezium mounted 80x20s at club meets), but I
like binos because of their grab and look freedom.

Cheers,
Mark

PS A question on field width:

Minolta Activa:

7x50 330 feet
8x40 430 feet
8-20x50 236 feet

Pentax PCF WP

7x50 330 feet
8x40 330 feet
10x50 261 feet

Any idea why 7x50s in both brands have the FOV constrained like this?

Also, the 8-20x50 zooms have a FOV not too much smaller than the
popular 10x50 size (just talking to myself, this binocular obession
will pass shortly).

Mark