Binoculars review
Eschenbach farlux® selector D 8.5x45 B
Eschenbach farlux® selector D 8.5x45 B is a relatively new pair of binoculars, launched in 2007. This roof prism instrument is phase correction coated with prisms made of BaK-4 glass. Additionally, a new kind of coatings was used – they are called “naturebright” and are supposed to ensure a splendid transmission and colour rendition level. The barrel was made of magnesium alloys so it is physically light and tough at the same time. It is also waterproof because of the rubber armour.
The buyer gets a good quality case and a solid suitcase included in box.
| Magnification | Lens diameter | Angular field of view | Prisms | Eye relief | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5x | 45mm | 117/1000(6.7o) | BaK-4/roof | ? mm | 880g | 2042PLN |
Results of the review
| Real front lens diameter |
Left: 44.9+/-
0.05mm Right: 44.9+/- 0.05mm |
8/8.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real magnification | 8.55+/- 0.15x | 3/3.0 | ||||
| Transmission | 91+/- 3% | 13/15.0 | ||||
| Chromatic aberration | Medium in the middle, a bit above medium at the edge. | 4.6/10.0 | ||||
| Astigmatism | Low. | 7.5/10.0 | ||||
| Distortion | The distance of the first curved line from the filed centre compared to the field of view radius: 64% +\- 4% | 7/10.0 | ||||
| Coma | Very low. | 8.8/10.0 | ||||
| Blurring at the edge of the FOV | The blur occurs in the distance of 84% +\- 3% from the field centre. | 6.5/10.0 | ||||
| Darkening at the edge the FOV | Slight. | 4/5.0 | ||||
| Whiteness of the image | Minimally yellow. | 4.1/5.0 | ||||
| Collimation | Perfect. | 5/5.0 | ||||
| Internal reflections |
|
3.5/5.0 | ||||
| Housing | Solid and massive. Twist-up plastic eyecups. Near the objective lenses the rubber sticks out. Interesting design. | 7.1/8.0 | ||||
| Focusing | Central wheel moves smoothly but is a bit slippery and it doesn’t resists fingers well (470 degrees). Individual focusing through a comfortable ring and it moves the outer lens. | 4.3/5.0 | ||||
| Tripod | Moderately convenient exit. | 2.5/3.0 | ||||
| Interpupilary distance | from 58.5 to 74.5mm | 5/6.0 | ||||
| Closest focusing distance | 1.85 m. | 2/2.0 | ||||
| Eyepieces FOV | Aparent field of view of 57.3 degrees. | 6/10.0 | ||||
| Field of view | Measured by us amounted to 6.70 +\- 0.03 degrees and it was in perfect accordance with specifications. A wide field for this equipment class. | 6/8.0 | ||||
| Quality of the interior of the barrels | Tubes black but shiny. Grey bottom. Some specks of dust. | 3.7/5.0 | ||||
| Vignetting |
|
1.5/8.0 | ||||
| Prisms quality | High quality BaK-4. | 8/8.0 | ||||
| Antireflection coatings | Orange-pink on the objective lenses. Green on the prisms. Green-pink-orange on the eyepieces. Low intensity. | 5/5.0 | ||||
| Warranty [years] | 10 | 4.5/6.0 | ||||
| Final result | 130.6/170
76.8% |
|||||
| Econo result | 0pkt. |
Summary
Pros:
- very solid and stylish casing,
- good transmission,
- low astigmatism,
- slight distortion,
- very low coma,
- slight brightness loss at the edge of the field,
- good colours rendition,
- small minimal focus distance,
- good quality of prisms and coatings,
- rich accessory kit.
Wady:
- truncated exit pupils.
A very well made pair of binoculars - apart from the truncated pupils there’s nothing to carp about. For the price of less than 500 Euro we get a stylish, solidly build instrument with excellent properties and good or very good degree of the main optical aberrations’ correction. We have no doubts that if you buy it you will be pleased with it.
If only the producer took care of the better shape of the exit pupils and their vicinity, we would have a virtually perfect device in this price segment.
