Endurance test of 8x42 binoculars
9. Fujinon 8x42 MF
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The Fujinon FMT-SX series binoculars belong to one of the best optical instruments we’ve dealt with so far. Unfortunately the Fujinon 8x42 MF model doesn’t fit this good image and the overall good reputation of the make. In our optical test it got 115.9 points so it was located at the bottom of the group. With a price of about 1500 PLN it is not a good result at all. Perhaps the Fujinon will make up for it in the endurance test – let’s check it up!
Low temperature
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Unfortunately the Fujinon failed the low temperature test. In such condition the central focusing wheel works with a pronounced resistance and is hardly even. The individual focus ring (for dioptre regulation) can also be barely moved and the same can be said about the gauge of the tubes. The eyecups offer even a greater resistance – in fact if you want to regulate them you risk damaging them permanently. The tripod mounting blockade froze over and it couldn’t be unscrewed at all.
High temperature
Also the high temperature performance was far from perfect. The central focus wheel moved very loosely, with hardly any resistance, and additionally you could hear some rattling. Similarly strange noises could be heard during the tubes’ gauge regulation. The dioptre correction ring moved as it should and so did the tripod mounting blockade. The eyecups could be truned with little resistance but still within the standard limits. Unfortunately we noticed grease leakages – a bit near the joint of the tubes and inside the binoculars as well, close to focusing elements.
Waterproof qualities
No reservations in this category. The binoculars survive one hour under water without any problems.
Falls
Two falls from different heights didn’t cause any external damage of the eyecups or decolimation. There are no traces of any mechanical damage on the casing.
Optics cleaning
Water residue, which got stuck after drying up in high temperature, is very difficult to remove; the fingerprints are an easier task but still their removal is not perfect. The water dribbles down quite well but it leaves small droplets which have to be cleaned afterwards. A big grease stain can be smeared on the element and it is best to remove it employing a special cleaning fluid.
Other
After a year and a half of intensive wear and tear the rubber padding of the lens still stinks.
Summary
The chart below shows the results the tested pair of binoculars got in particular categories:
| CATEGORY | POINTS |
| Low temperature: |
3/10 |
| High temperature: |
5/10 |
| Waterproof quality: |
10/10 |
| Falls: |
10/10 |
| Optics cleaning: |
2/5 |
| Other: |
3/5 |
| OVERALL: |
33/50 |
The performance of the Fujinon 8x42 MF is very uneven. Excellent results in the category of to waterproofness and resistance to shock are intertwined with such slip-ups as the weak work in high temperatures. Apart from that buying this lens you will have to tolerate a not very nice smell of cheap rubber which will accompany you forever. To sum up – we don’t recommend this pair of binoculars and we are sure that 1500 PLN you have to pay for it can be invested in a much better way.
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