Olympus Tracker 8x25 PC I, UV Protected, Weather Resistant Porro Prism Binocular, with 6.0 Degree Angle of View

2012-10-07T21:00:00

We are retired and fortunate to have a forest on two sides of our house, a park like setting on one side and a golf course out the back. So we view wild life and golfers daily. We go to the beach six weeks a year and spend the mornings viewing dolphins, boats and beach dwellers. We had five sets of binoculars: two pocket, two bulky, and one medium sized set. Our pocket binoculars are low power, so before going to the beach we wanted to find a very good set of pocket binoculars. After extensive looking in sports shops and on the Internet we decide on Olympus Tracker 8x25. These are not really pocked binoculars, but are closer to pocket binoculars than our medium sized Nikon 8x30, 8.5 degree binoculars. They are a lot lighter as well. We found the Tracker to be better than any of the other binoculars we have. After being at the beach for a week we decided to replace the Nikon with another Tracker. This time we went for the 12x25. There is no physical difference in the 8x12 and 12x25. The outside is identical; good looking with a feeling of quality. The accessories (strap, case, and eye covers) don't have a feeling of quality but are adequate, and I'm not sure how to improve them without making things more bulky. On first blush we could not tell any difference in the viewing. But after using them both sided by side for several weeks the difference is discernible. The added power of the 12x requires more precise focusing and allows in less light. One would think that the 12X would have a much larger image. It is barely any larger and the 8X seems to be slightly clearer. The less light allowed in may be likened to the difference between regular and high definition TV. When watching the sun sparkle off of the ocean; 12X makes the water sparkle like crystals; the 8x like diamonds. We enjoy both pairs and if we were to buy two pair again we would have one of each. If we could have just one pair of binoculars we would choose the 8x.

Time2View

2011-08-26T21:00:00

When out rambling or with a birding group and carrying a telescope these bins are so convenient due their small size and light weight, nearly as good as my Leica 10x32's. Unbelievable value

Fisher w.