Viking Vistron ED 8x42 Premium Binoculars

Product Information

Most of Viking's range of binoculars have a similar silhouette, and the Vistron is no exception. They boast a single-hinge design that's easy to adjust, but stays in place nice and firmly when using the binoculars. As with the majority of binoculars at this price point, they have a polycarbonate body. The focus wheel and dioptre ring, though, are both metal.

Choosing the right pair of binoculars can be confusing, especially if you’ve never bought them before. With so many uses for binoculars ranging from astronomy to wildlife spotting, it’s important to get a pair that is ideally suited for the activity you’re intending to use it for. We have developed this guide specifically to detail what to consider when looking for binoculars to take bird watching, along with our Top 10 recommendations of the best binoculars for bird watching. You’ll notice that all binoculars have a set of two numbers, which can help you determine whether they are right for your needs. The first number denotes the magnification (sometimes referred to as the power or zoom). The second number refers to the size of the objective lens. For example, 8x42 binoculars means that they come with 42mm lens with 8x magnification. I spent some time with the 8x42s and my initial impressions were very favourable, in terms of image quality, build quality and ergonomics. This binocular looks the business, and is very nice to handle. The open bridge worked well for me – two or three fingers found the gap quite naturally with the other hand ready for focussing. For a 42 mm binocular, this is a pretty compact tool. It is fully waterproof and has a magnesium alloy body, and at 710 g is not a heavy binocular.The view is wide and colours are natural, with a slight yellow colour cast, but nothing problematic. Sharpness is very good, and impressive edge to edge, with a hint of softness around the periphery. The image is bright and the EDs did well in low light, even an hour after a June sunset. The close-focus is quoted as 1.5 metres – I managed perhaps a little under 1.8 metres, but I was impressed. I did see a bit of colour fringing, but nothing to get worked up about and there wasn’t a problem when I watched Swifts against an off-white cloud. FACTFILE certainly didn't give me any trouble in practice but may not suit everyone. The eye cups themselves twist out smoothly and were a pleasure to use. The weathers conditions you'd be using the binoculars in, is very important factor in to, however, with either the Kestrels or the Vistrons, you don't have to worry about the weather interfering with the performance of the binoculars. Both models are waterproof and nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging. One small difference between the rubber armouring, is that the Vistrons have more texture on the sides, which allows easier grip in more challenging weather. Optic Performance

ergonomics) the Hawke Frontier ED which benefit from better grip and a thumb indent, but better than many others I've tested. Eye relief is adequate on the 8s but perhaps a tad low with the 10x42s only offering just over 13mm. Itis put under intense pressure in testing before being used. The Vistron Pros are 100% waterproof and are nitrogen filled to prevent internal condensation, features I find reassuring in our great british weather. The focus wheel turns Released in 2013 as a follow on model from the original Vistrons, the Vistron Pros offer improved optics and ergonomics over their predecessor. There are currently 4 sizes on the market from 8x32 to 8x50 with RRPs starting from The Extra low Dispersion glass used in lens construction together with the multicoating and phase coated prisms give bright and crystal clear images whatever the conditions. The binocular is finished in smooth rubber armour and is really comfortable to hold. For general use, you might want to consider a balance between magnification, light-gathering power, and weight. As a rule of thumb, the larger the objective lens, the bigger and heavier the binoculars will be so if you're planning to take on a hike then maybe a decent pair of lightweight compact binoculars would be best.