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Opening up the packaging for the Eschenbach farlux Selector D 8.5x45 Binoculars for the very first time is a real treat: Once you open the rather plain looking cardboard box, you get to the wonderful black wooden display box, open that and you get to the really good quality carry case and only then once you open that do you get to the binoculars! The anticipation was building and I was really looking forward to using and reviewing these Eschenbach binoculars, I just hoped they live up to their rather grand entrance.
Also known as the "Eagle Eye" these are the top of the range Eschenbach binoculars and my first look through the farlux Selector D 8.5x45 (4274845 B) was impressive. Admittedly I was testing them on a bright sunny day but the view through them was extremely bright and crisp. There are many factors that combine to produce the final image brightness and clarity in a pair of optics. These include the size of the objective lens, quality of glass, their coatings and the physical assembly and quality of the prisms. So let's take a look a what these Eschenbach farlux binoculars have that help to produce such an excellent quality image:
First there are the 44mm diameter objective lenses, which I really like. Due to their larger size, they will let more light into the system, they have an Exit Pupil of 5.3 which is good, yet unless you really examine them and compare them to the standard 42mm pair of binoculars, you really will never notice the difference in size. The look and feel like standard size binoculars. As well as this they use quality BaK-4 roof prisms which means that they are made of superior optical glass that produces clearer images and is what you want in your binoculars.
Lens & Prism Coatings
The BaK-4 prisms on the Farlux binoculars also have a Phase-correction coating that basically helps to reduce the phase shift of light that is caused by phase differences arising from total light reflection on a roof surface. This Phase-correction coating therefore reduces the loss of image resolution maintaining high-contrast images and is found only in high end roof prism binoculars. Eschenbach also use a high reflection coating on the roof prism that further reduces the amount of light lost within the system.
Eschenbach use their own special "naturebright" coating on their lenses that they say deliver exactly what the name says: "an exceptional true-to-life, colour-accurate and bright image" and going by my experience with them, I cannot argue against that.
Even though the housing is made from magnesium they weigh 810g (28.6oz) which is a little heavier than most standard sized binoculars. But remember that these do have slightly larger than standard 45mm diameter objective lenses, that I think more than compensate with their light gathering ability for the increase in weight. They also have a really solid feel to them that is somewhat reassuring as you know that these are quality binoculars. In the hands they are really well balanced and I love the tactile rubber armour that surrounds the barrels.
Focusing is smooth and accurate with the central focusing wheel which takes one and a quarter turns to go from infinity to it's closest focusing distance of 3m (9.8ft). The diopter adjustment that allows you to adjust the lenses separately to allow for differences each of your eyes and plays an important part in correctly focusing your binoculars is on the right barrel and is smooth and easy to adjust. Although in my opinion is probably a little too easy to accidentally move.
Waterproof
The nitrogen-filled body of the Eschenbach farlux selector D 8,5 x 45 B binocular means that they are both Waterproof (up to 1m in depth for 5 minutes) and fogproof.
The Eye Cups
Whilst they may not be the most exciting part, the Eye cups can either make or break a pair as this is the actual point of contact between you and your binoculars. The Farlux has twist out eyecups, that have 3 click stops - fully retracted & flush against the eyepiece, half-way out or fully extended. So for non-eyeglass wearers, you just use the eyecups in the extended position. For people who wear glasses you can just use them fully retracted or at the halfway point.
Also Included
I do like the black display case, making keeping them in the house in a place where you can quickly access them easier. The carry case is of good quality as is the comfortable neck strap. The lens caps fit well and should not accidentally fall off which is good as the objective lens ones cannot be tethered in anyway to the binoculars or straps.
Their Field of view at 1000m is 117m, which just beats the similar Vanguard 8.5x45 Endeavor ED's (114m at 1000m), but does fall short of the market leading Swarovski 8.5x42 EL's (133m at 1000m).
Close focusing distance is 3 meters (9.8ft), which is a little on the far side, the very best 8.5x roof prism binoculars have a near focusing distance of between 8 and 9 feet.
They have an Exit Pupil of 5.3 and a Twilight Factor of 19.6, both of which are perfectly fine for low light conditions. Please note: Whilst these figures do not take into account the quality of the lenses and prisms, they do make it possible to compare the performance of binoculars in low light conditions.
Priced at around $800 (£530) they are far cheaper than the ultimate binoculars like the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL's which cost around $2,400 and whilst they do not quite match them, these Eschenbach Farlux's do contain many of their features and quality components. Looking through the Eschenbach Farlux Selector D 8.5x45 binocular is a delight, these are a quality set of binoculars at a great price. So if you can't afford the budget breaking Swarovski's, perhaps the next step down is just what you are looking for.
Overall they are highly recommended, the large objective lenses and 8.5x magnification makes them ideal birding binoculars and great for wildlife observation. Their water and fogproofing and tough magnesium body means that despite their great looks you can be assured that they will handle most environments and as such you should not be afraid to take them with you where ever you go and so making them really good general use binoculars.
Reviewed by Jason Whitehead for Best Binocular Reviews
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Main Specifications & Features:
Below are similar pairs of Binoculars that you may also want to have a look at:
Large 45mm objective lenses, extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and waterproof: Ideal Wildlife and Birding Binoculars.
General Price Range: (5/6) High Value Binoculars
Below is a link that will take you to a page with online retailers in both the US and UK that sell Eschenbach 8.5x45 Farlux Selector D Binoculars this page makes it easy to compare prices and then to buy from your preferred option:
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