![]() ![]() Porro prism binoculars are not generally known to be waterproof, and this is one reason cited by some for rejecting them for serious field use. I was delighted to see these larger instruments had precisely the same features. I’ve been testing both of these instruments in various conditions, by day and by night, both at home here in Scotland, and while on vacation in south Wales, and have been so impressed with them that I decided to hold onto one model – the 10 x 50 – as I now firmly believe that it will do everything a 10 x 42 model can do, only better! To see why, read on!Ī Closer Look at the Ergonomics of the InstrumentsĪs outlined in Preamble 1 above, I had previously acquainted myself with the many delightful features of the Opticron Imagic TGA WP in the smaller 8 x 32 format, which is now in the capable hands of a keen lady birder on Jersey, in the Channel Islands. I had contemplated using the Opticron Adventurer T WP 10 x 42, a larger format Porro, but instead I decided to buy in and test two intriguing 50mm instruments from the same company – the 7 x 50 and 10 x 50 Imagic TGA WP models – to field test and learn as much as I could about them. I had enjoyed a high quality 10 x 32for a while but it lacked the light gathering power of bigger 10 x 42 models, which I also seriously considered. As one of my main birding binoculars, I enjoy the excellent quality views of the now discontinued SR.GA 8 x 32 which delivers very similar though not quite as stellar views to my favourite instrument the superlative Nikon E II 8 x 30, which I tend to baby just a little owing to its lack of rubber armouring.īut that got me thinking about what higher power instrument to use for the dull days of Winter and/or for longer range work, but most especially as a general purpose astronomical instrument to be used during our long, dark(and often cold) winters here at 56 degrees north latitude. UK-based Opticron is to be lauded for keeping high quality Porro prism binoculars alive and well in the 21 st century. After all, you get what you pay for, right? I mean, how could a full-featured Porro prism binocular costing a couple of hundred pounds realistically compete with a sexy, streamlined roof prism model costing a cool grand or more? Fortunately, I’ve spent the last six months buying in and testing some really nice Porro prism binoculars, and these collective experiences have consolidated my preference for these over their roof prism counterparts. Why? I supposed I swallowed hook, line and sinker the urban myth that the latter were simply inferior just because they were cheaper. ![]() I spent more than three years testing all manner of roof prism instruments without ever giving a thought to the humble Porro prism binocular- apart from the quirky reverse-Porro design of the Pentax Papilio II. Almost every other week a new model hits the market promising out-of-this-world performance at out-of-this world price tags. The simple truth is that a well-made Porro prism binocular can produce outstanding images using relatively simple technology compared with roof prism models that never seem to stand still. Yet, it’s certainly the case that these instruments have been unfairly demurred for reasons that continue to baffle me. Arguably the greatest high for me was my re-discovery of the many charms of Porro prism binoculars. There’s been many highs and lows on my 4-year journey through the wonderful and sometimes weird world of binoculars. The Opticron Imagic TGA WP 7 x 50 & 10 x 50. ![]()
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