The Classic series consists of roof prism binoculars with the following parameters: 7x36, 8.5x36, 8x42, 10x42, 10x50 and 12.5x50. These instruments use BaK-4 glass prisms put in the Schmidt-Pechan system in which reflecting surface is covered by a special Oasis coating, which increases the transmission level of binoculars. The prisms are also phase correction coated and all optical elements are additionally covered by antireflection multicoatings. The housing is waterproof and nitrogen-filled.
As it is the case of all top-of-the-line Opticron products, we get a wide selection of stylish accessories in box (a hard case, two straps, a double set of caps, cleaning accessories) and a 30-year-long guarantee period.
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Results of the review
Real front lens diameter
Left: 41.4+/-
0.05 mm
Right: 41.47+/-
0.05 mm
5 / 8.0 pkt
Real magnification
9.7+/-
0.2x
3/3.0
Transmission
77+/-
3%
8/25.0
Chromatic aberration
Low in the centre, medium at the edge.
6.2/10.0
Astigmatism
Very low.
8/10.0
Distortion
The distance of the first curved line from the field centre compared to the field of view radius: 39% +\- 4%
4/10.0
Coma
Low.
7/10.0
Blurring at the edge of the FOV
The blur occurs in the distance of 89% +\- 3% from the field of view centre.
8/10.0
Darkening at the edge the FOV
Low.
4.3/5.0
Whiteness of the image
Slightly gray cream.
4.2/5.0
Collimation
Exemplary.
5/5.0
Internal reflections
Left:
Right:
Visible.
2.8/5.0
Housing
Small and handy. Eyecups with three detented stops but very delicate. Slippery rubber.
7/8.0
Focusing
Central screw is comfortable. A narrow metal ring on the right eyepiece – not comfortable and it squelches near the ear.
3.8/5.0
Tripod
There is a screw there but you can’t twist it off without damaging the binoculars.
0/3.0
Interpupilary distance
from 57.3 to 76.3mm
5/6.0
Closest focusing distance
1.45 m.
2/2.0
Eyepieces FOV
Apparent field of view of 50.5 deg (according to simple formula) and 47.6 deg (according to tangent formula).
4/20.0
Field of view
Measured by us amounted to 5.21 +\- 0.03 degrees and it was by 0.21 degrees wider than that in the specifications. A narrow field for this equipment class.
5/8.0
Quality of the interior of the barrels
Dark, matt and clean. A lot of grease near the prisms’ casing.
4/5.0
Vignetting
Left:
Right:
OL: 1.0%, OR: 0.0%.
7.5/8.0
Prisms quality
High quality BaK-4.
8/8.0
Antireflection coatings
Greenish everywhere. Low intensity.
5/5.0
Warranty [years]
30 years
5/6.0
Final result
64.1% 32nd place in the overall ranking of the 10x42 binoculars test.
121.8 / 190 pkt
Econo result
49th place in the overall ranking of the 10x42 binoculars test.
-8.2pkt.
Summary
Pros:
solid and physically light housing,
good IPD,
good sharpness at the edge of he field,
very low astigmatism,
slight coma,
chromatic aberration well-corrected,
sharp image already from 1.45 metres,
good quality of prisms and coatings,
good warranty conditions,
low light fall-off at the edge,
good whiteness rendition.
Cons:
average transmission,
narrow field of view,
lack of a tripod exit,
slightly egg-shaped left pupil,
too high distortion,
too small objective lenses,
noticeable flares.
Next to the Vortex Stokes and the Steiner Sky Hawk this is one of the biggest disappointments in our test. A steep price and a small field of view suggested we might get an excellent product with a faultless, bright and sharp up to the edge field of view. Unfortunately it is not the case. Although the test’s score is more or less good, it hardly justifies such a high price. For an amount of about 200-300 USD less we can buy significantly better sets of binoculars (like the Olympus EXWP or the Vortex Viper) and adding a bit more money we can even have a much more prestigious and also better Zeiss Conquest.