I recently wrote an article that attempted to answer a question that someone sent in asking for advice on choosing some tough, inexpensive, compact binoculars for travel. After much research and comparisons, the person in question eventually decided on a pair of Brunton Eterna 8X25 Binoculars and they were kind enough to send in to me their review of the product:

Customer Review of the Compact Brunton 8×25 Eterna Binoculars

I wanted to let you know that I received a pair of the Brunton Eterna 8X25′s in the mail today.

Since you asked for some feedback on them I thought I would share some with you. First of all, I really like the size. They’re small, lightweight, and pocketable. I sacrificed some FOV for that. But I’m glad for the size. I think any bigger, even an inch, would make them less pocketable.

The compromise I made for size was the FOV (field of view). It is comparable to the FOV you’d get with a pair of 10x25s. In fact, their 10×25′s have almost the same FOV, but their exit pupil was much lower.

Here is my take on it… after glassing around the neighborhood this evening. The FOV is small, but large enough to observe any object I would want to observe. Sure, if I’m sweeping around, trying to locate new objects to focus on it will take a little more time to find them. But, I think its good enough. So I’m happy.
As for the image quality, I was stunned. It was wonderful. I no longer have any concern about the Emerald Fire coating. I was looking at things as the sun was going down and the brightness was pretty good.

I whipped out a pair of old Sears 7X35′s from the 1980′s for comparison. Hah, what a joke. A toy. No comparison what-so-ever. These are the ones I used as a kid in Boy Scouts. I might as well toss those big bulky things. These new Brunton’s absolutely smoke the old ones. Not even in the same league.

They don’t come with the classic “rain guard” or “case” that many binoculars do. They come with a strap and two flexible neoprene “body glove” style things that you stretch over each monocle. They’re sort of like socks. They can be a bit fiddly. Overall I like the concept, but… time will tell. I think maybe the stitching isn’t as tight as it needs to be. We’ll see if they last the test of time. I may just ditch the strap and the socks and just keep them in my pocket.

The focus adjustment is still a little stiff. I would expect that in a waterproof device. I’m hoping they will loosen up a little over time. Right now I cannot adjust them with just my forefinger. Trying to results in my applying enough pressure to move one of the hinges. Using a forefinger up top and my thumb below works fine.
The focus tuning is swift. You don’t have to dial very much at all.

Overall I’m pleased. I made the decision to sacrifice FOV for size. Right now, today, I say I made the right choice and I feel good about them. Hopefully I’ll feel the same once I get them out into the field.

But oh man.. the picture they provide… so crisp and clear. I could read things way at the end of the street I never would have imagined. And I’m glad I did not get the 10X. These are more “stable”…. less shaky. I think with the 10X… especially after being fatigued by spending a day in the field…I would get too much eye fatigue looking at shaky pictures.

Well as you know, I tend to blather on. Hopefully you’ve got some usable information in there for your site.

Thanks again for all your help. I greatly appreciate it. Your site and your emails made the buying experience much more informed… and less painful. I didn’t buy a crappy pair of optics.

Where to Buy & Prices

Both the Brunton 10×25 and 8×25 binoculars cost between $150 and $220 in the US and as far as I know they are not available in the UK

Brunton Eterna Binoculars on Amazon.com

Features

• Eterna Compact Binoculars
• BaK-4 prism glass
• State-of-the-art phase coating
• AL reflective coating
• Emerald Fire full multi-coating
• Multi-step eye relief system (eyeglass compatible)
• Waterproof/fogproof
• Nitrogen filled
• Alloy frame w/ ergonomic body armor
• Includes neoprene Bino Glove lens covers and neck strap
• Limited lifetime warranty

Having recently written a review on the Eschenbach 8×25 Club W Binoculars, designed especially for women, I thought it may be an idea to put a page together of a few of the best women’s binoculars to make finding them easier for you.

Binoculars for Women?

If you were hoping to find that a binocular designed for women would have some sort of special eyepiece, or some magical lenses that only work for women, I am sorry to disappoint you. Technically there is no difference between “normal” binoculars and womens binoculars. The difference is in the styling, because most binoculars have a strong masculine look to them, a few manufacturers have decided to design some of the binoculars with more of a feminine touch.

Nikon SHE Safari Monarch 10×36 Binoculars

This is not only one of my favourite looking women’s binoculars, but under the styling is a pair of the excellent Nikon Monarch 10×36 DCF binoculars.

Nikon Sport Optics and SHE Outdoor Apparel have come together and designed binoculars specially for a woman. The mid-sized 10×36 Safari binoculars offer women the best of both worlds – trademark Nikon optical performance and attractive SHE styling.

This mid-size binocular makes an ideal travelling companion: It is lightweight, waterproof, fogproof and comes with a protective rubber-armored coating. This with the powerful 10x magnification means I would highly recommend it as an ideal safari binocular.

Features
Make no mistake, these are high quality binoculars and the main features include

• Fully Multi-coated Lenses
  Increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.
• Phase Correction Coated Prisms
  Enhances resolution and contrast through roof prisms.
• Waterproof
  The Optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the binocular.
• Fogproof
  Barrels are filled with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging.

Accessories
The binocular comes with a great looking and excellent quality embossed leather binocular strap in a chocolate brown colour as well as a leather and canvas shoulder bag in khaki with chocolate brown trim, that has multifunctional pockets and a built-in optics case with plenty of room to store your binoculars as well as a few other goodies making it perfect for travel or day trips. As a point of interest, when sold separately the bag retails for around $80

Full Review
Read my full review of the Nikon 10×36 SHE Safari Monarch ATB Binoculars

Cost & Where to Buy
Unfortunately I have not been able to locate this particular pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars in the UK, but the “normal” Nikon 10×36 Monarch’s are available. In the US, they have a List Price of $480.95, but they are available at a few places including Eagle Optics, Binoculars.com and Amazon where they cost just over $300. This price is pretty good considering the standard Nikon 10×36 Monarch ATB Binoculars also cost a similar amount.

• Buy & Compare Prices for the Nikon SHE Safari

Nikon SHE Adventure Monarch 8×36 ATB Binoculars

Like the Safari version above, these Nikon SHE Adventure binoculars are designed around the very popular Monarch ATB binoculars. The Adventure binoculars come in a “Kiwi and Plum” theme and the binocular has an 8×36 configuration, giving you a wider field of view, making these binoculars more suitable as birdwatching binoculars.

The mid-sized plum 8×36 Adventure binoculars offer women the best of both worlds – trademark Nikon optical performance and attractive SHE styling.

Main Features

• Fully Multi-coated Lenses
  Increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.
• Phase Correction Coated Prisms
  Enhances resolution and contrast through roof prisms.
• Waterproof
  The Optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the binocular.
• Fogproof
  Barrels are filled with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging.

Accessories
The 8×36 Adventure binocular comes with an excellent quality embossed black leather binocular strap as well as a plum and kiwi canvas shoulder bag, that has multifunctional pockets and a built-in optics case with plenty of room to store your binoculars as well as a few other goodies making it perfect for travel or day trips. As a point of interest, when sold separately the bag retails for around $50

Cost & Where to Buy
To my knowledge these women’s Nikon Monarch ATB binoculars are not available in the UK, but in the US, they have a List Price of $440.95, but are available for sale at a Eagle Optics, Binoculars.com and Amazon where they cost under $300. This price is pretty good considering the standard Nikon 8×36 Monarch ATB Binoculars also cost a similar amount.

• Check Price on Binoculars.com
• Check Price on Eagle Optics
• Check Price on Amazon.com

Eschenbach 8×25 Club W Binoculars

Eschenbach have spent a lot of time on the styling, but it does not stop there as within the impressive mother-of-pearl effect body are state of the art optics that will please even the most discerning user.

These 8×25 binoculars come with quality BaK-4 prisms and the lenses are fully multi-coated. The Club W binoculars is also 100% waterproof and has been nitrogen purged, making them fogproof as well.

The more compact 8×25 configuration make these binoculars ideal sports binoculars and I could see them being used to take to a day at the horse races, Wimbledon or other stroll in the countryside.

Accessories
They are supplied with a stylish white soft leather carry case, padded strap and draw string pouch for protection when carried in a hand bag.

Read my full Review of the Eschenbach 8×25 Club W Binoculars

Cost & Where to Buy
Available in both the UK and USA on Amazon:

• Check Prices

USA: Over 40% Off on Amazon.com:
Bushnell Perma Focus 8×25 Binoculars on Amazon.com
I am not sure how long this excellent deal will last, so grab it while you can.

I’m afraid that they are not on sale in the UK, but they are still available on Amazon.co.uk for a reasonable price:
Bushnell Perma Focus 8×25 Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk

Video Explaining the Bushnell Perma Focus 8×25 Binoculars

Features of the Bushnell Perma Focus 8×25 Binoculars

• Fully coated optics for superior light transmission and brightness
• Unique “Focus-Free” feature stays in focus at most viewing distances
• Non-slip rubber armour absorbs shock while providing a firm grip
• BK-7 Prism Glass
• Porro Prism System

The already very affordable Perma Focus binos (Fixed or Self Focusing Binoculars) allow simple, fixed-focus, long-distance viewing. They have a pretty good wide field of view which makes them ideal for a cheaper pair of binoculars for most spectator sports, distant wildlife observation. One of the biggest advantages of Fixed Focus binoculars is their lack of moving parts, this means that they should last, even if they take a few knocks and bumps along the way. So this combined with their compact size means that they are ideal to travel with.

Bushnell’s quality fully coated optics make sure that your image is bright and crisp. The ergonomic rubber housing means you won’t drop them, even with gloves on if you are using them outdoors in winter.

USA: Over 40% Off on Amazon.com:
Bushnell Perma Focus 8×25 Binoculars on Amazon.com
I am not sure how long this excellent deal will last, so grab it while you can.