Barska Deep Sea 7x42 Waterproof Binocular
Product Features
O-ring sealed for complete waterproof protection and Dry nitrogen-purged and sealed to prevent fogging and moisture damage contained by all weather conditions
Fully coated optics for increased clarity with BAK-4 prism for crisp images
Optimum long eye relief beside twist-up eyecups
Built with attached lenscaps for your convenience
Features a rugged rubber armor covering that provides a non-slip and secure grip, designed specially for nautical use
Product Description: The Deep Sea Series is a marine treasure chest of binoculars designed specifically for the nautical world and boating enthusiasts. With 7x magnification (most popular size because of the steady image possible under rough sea conditions) and exceptional optics, these binoculars provide clear views of marine scrutiny from dusk till dawn. In addition, selected models include an internal rangefinder and directional compass for navigation. The Deep Sea series includes a wide selection of seaworthy roof and porro styles and sizes to meet the needs of the experienced or beginning mariner. There's even a Deep Sea model that FLOATS! Backed by Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Product Details:
Product Description: The Deep Sea Series is a marine treasure chest of binoculars designed specifically for the nautical world and boating enthusiasts. With 7x magnification (most popular size because of the steady image possible under rough sea conditions) and exceptional optics, these binoculars provide clear views of marine scrutiny from dusk till dawn. In addition, selected models include an internal rangefinder and directional compass for navigation. The Deep Sea series includes a wide selection of seaworthy roof and porro styles and sizes to meet the needs of the experienced or beginning mariner. There's even a Deep Sea model that FLOATS! Backed by Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Product Details:
- Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 2.4 x 6.1 inches
- Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only inwardly the U.S.
- Item model number: AB10464
Product Reviews:
Strange why no one has written a review. Heck, even a bad review is better than none IMO. My citation standard for this review is Zeiss Dialyt roof prism armored 10x40 B T*, fast focus at 0.7 turns, close focus about 22 feet, FOV about 340 foot. Decades old and still going strong.
Build: Body/frame appears to be metal covered with rubber/plastic. Center hinge adjustment for eye spacing feels solid and appropriate.
Case/Strap: Case, good overall build near quick release strap and belt loop but case is a bit snug fitting making insertion and removal slow. Strap on binocs is fair.
Eye Cups: Twist type with no clicks, fully down or up just. Somewhat fragile in build.
Diopter: Good solid feel and grip with click stops.
Durability: Appears will take some jolts and bang. Water proofness is probably limited to getting it wet, I wouldn't submerse these or most other binocs. Long term durability is something I feel is base more on reputation than actual trial. Example would be watches, if you go lower than a Tag Heuer long term durability would be questionable especially water proofness. Years of wearing a lesser scrutinize will cause the internals to corrode because even body heat will cause expansion/contraction of the case.
Focus: Slow at 1.8 turns, stop to stop. Feel is smooth and yawning knob makes for easy two finger action. No slack of feel or play notice. Focus free at about 100 yards and greater. Close focus is about 16 feet.
Lens Caps: Good/Fair. Cloth would be better for the target lens cover straps because the integrated plastic build of caps/straps tends to encourage the caps to get contained by the way of the objective lens. Eye piece cover is good, both cups are joined together by a flexible center.
View: Somewhat shrink FOV at a bit over 300 feet yet not tunnel like. Center focus is good while unbiased at the edges. Brightness is on the low side. Generally my reference standard will be better but viewing clouds I find these to reveal better detail, more contrast between light and dark skies. Additionally viewing the moon when its very bright I notice some ghosting. My reference made the moon appear to have a halo, this halo effect is somewhat patent with the naked eye. The ghosting is most likely glare, most distinct when viewing a light source with low light surroundings, contrast. My reference have no such issues.
Conclusion, I find these Barska Deep Sea roof prism 7x42 to be decent/fair/acceptable overall. IMO the magnification and objective lens should be kept fairly low/small because the higher/bigger these factors become the greater quality become an issue. Surely the same or better performance can be had in a smaller frame at a much complex cost but comfort will diminish as well. These have a exit pupil of 6 mm and eye relief of about an inch. IMO an exit pupil of 4 mm to 6 mm is an agreeable range.
Have you ever noticed how all the "schlock-houses" offer mostly 10X binoculars on-sale? I have a surroundings in optics and over the years have come to several realizations; Power is greatly over-rated (and sometimes an actual negative feature)and you don't want to own really cheap optics. I currently hold five binoculars, mostly old ones of historic or sentimental value, but of little utility. My most recent pair were Steiner 10x Safaris (compact) and I thought they would be unflawed for field use. Turns out that they are fine for my range shooting bag, but the 10X optics are optically "fussy" (especially with my continuous graient bifocals!) and soft enough for casual everyday use. As I further researched, I learned that 7 or 8X power is what I needed in an ~40mm target. I also learned that there is a huge difference between water-resistant and waterproof.
As I shopped, I be leaning towards the Burris Landmark-II at a little over $100. Somehow, I encountered the Barska "Deep Sea" line and their design rationale for 7X power made sense... vitally, the modest power was manageable bobbing around in a boat. The waterproof division was an unexpected bonus, as was the polycarbonate housing.
I could not justify a $1,000. set of Euro or Leupold binoculars, but the press became, "how cheap a pair of binoculars dare I buy?". Being non-zoom optics of modest power, I felt safe, base on the reviews, which did not complain of optical quality. I was stunned to find a great price at Amazon (the more compact version of these actually cost a bit more) and bought them at smaller amount than half the price of the Landmark-IIs.
I quickly removed the objective cover caps (they keep hold of flopping in the way and are not needed for terrestrial use). I have to learn to unscrew the eyecups to their operating position (duh) and I quickly realized that these binocs have great eye nouns, which means that you don't need to hold them against your eyeglasses to see the full field of view.
They are bright ("exit pupil" spec > 5) and the center focus is convenient and important.
While these are not "compact", but medium sized, you won't take them "everywhere", but at less than $50. you won't be afraid to take them anywhere! Great for hiking, soccer games, aircraft spotting, travel, and within the car for street numbers! I just used them to find one of the kids who got separated during Mem Day festivities!
Optically, they are not complete perfection, but at $50. they are much better than I expected and I am getting great utility from them. BTW, I am still glad I got the 7X.
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