May 2015 - Optics Den

Celestron Granite 10×50 User Review

The Celestron Granite 10×50 binoculars provide outstanding optical magnification viewing possibilities in a stylish and elegant case. Providing up to 50 times magnification in all weather conditions, the Celestron Granite binoculars are perfect for bird watchers, hunters and lovers of the great outdoors.

Features

The Celestron Granite binoculars are nitrogen-purged, meaning the inside is both waterproof and fogproof. The lenses are equipped with broadband multi-coatings for maximum light transmission throughput with the highest levels of contrast. The precision Celestron Granite coatings render the view in high fidelity natural colors with lush, full-spectrum color saturation. The lenses are BaK-4 Prisms with the legendary Celestron Granite dialectic high reflectivity and phase coatings.

The Celestron Granite 10×50 come stylishly encased in a protective layer of high quality rubber, which helps improve ergonomic features and reduces slipping. Focus knobs, a diopter ring and twist-up eyecups are fabricated of quality metal to ensure durability and precision movement for viewing adjustments.

Technical Details

The weight of the Celestron Granite 10×5 binoculars is exactly three pounds, providing the perfect balance between heft and portability. The binoculars measure 6.6 by 2.4 by 5.2 inches. The Celestron Granite comes in a matte black finish. Accessories such as straps and tripod adapters are sold separately.

My Opinion

I am a retired NASA photographer and an avid birdwatcher, and I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of binoculars. After my last pair cracked during an adverse weather event, I decided to do my research and comb the market for the best binoculars I could find. When I tried the Celestron Granite, I was blown away by how many light years ahead of my old binoculars these beauties were. Without trying to make a pun, I can honestly say I have never seen a pair of binoculars that can touch the Celestron Granite.

The view is sharp and crisp even during side to side motion. I especially enjoyed the brilliant field of view, which had full spectrum saturation and high contrast. Even objects as close as six feet away were a marvel to behold, and I was stunned by how much better the view was through the binoculars than with the naked eye.

Although I wear thick glasses, I prefer to look through binoculars without them. Using the twist-up eyecups, I was quite impressed at how comfortable a view I achieved with the Celestron Granite. I was very pleased at how the combination of multi-coating and specialized ED glass ensure that colors stay in their register. I have successfully used these binoculars to track birds in flight, and found the adjustment knobs to allow fantastic control over focal depth, allowing me to keep the image crystal clear.

Even just held in the hands, the Celestron Granite has a solid heft, and the rubber coating is pleasant to the touch. The balanced measurements make these binoculars convenient and quite easy to carry. The open bridge on the body allows me to get a very secure grip and a comfortable position next to my eyes. I liked how the magnesium body feels light but reassuringly solid.

Once I had adjusted the interocular distance and correctly set the diopter to suit my viewing needs, I headed into the field to put these binoculars through their paces. Whether engaged in bird watching, wildlife viewing or enjoying sporting events, I love my Celestron Granite binoculars. Their light weight and excellently balanced body make it easy for me to hold the binoculars for long periods of time.

Final Impressions

Bird watchers, nature lovers, hunters, sporting enthusiasts and people watchers will greatly enjoy the Celestron Granite 10×50 binoculars. With smooth, precision adjustments and the latest breakthrough in optical technology, the Celestron Granite binoculars provide optimum viewing magnification. Rugged enough to be used outdoors, the precision engineering and nitrogen-purged interior provide crisp magnification under all atmospheric conditions.

Accessories

The Best Scope Rings

Shooters spend a lot of time researching different rifles and scopes when putting together their shooting systems. While these are obviously the most critical pieces, smaller gear should not be taken lightly. One component often overlooked is the purchase of reliable rifle scope rings. Rifle scope rings are circular clamps that are used to attach a scope to a rifle using pre-installed mounting bases. Quality rings keep the scope mounted securely to the weapon enabling accurate aim at all times. Even top of the line scopes will prove to be useless when paired with sub par rifle scope rings. The last thing a shooter wants to deal with after sighting in their weapon is unreliable zero, or the inability to have consistency in hitting the mark. This is where a set of good scope rings comes into play.

Top Three Recommended Scope Rings

When deciding what type of scope rings to install, factors such as price, material and the manufacturer’s reputation for quality products should all be taken into consideration. It is extremely important to match the scope rings to the correct style of base. The most common base is the Weaver style. Weaver style bases have a .180 recoil slot, to which the rings are attached. Most scope companies make a set of rings that correspond to this style of base. Picatinny bases are similar to the Weaver style, but are larger. The Leupold style of base is the industry standard that non-Weaver styles are measured against. Almost all modern rifles are set up for a certain type of mounting base, either pre-drilled or grooved. In the case of a weapon that lacks a pre-set mounting point, it may be necessary to have the holes or grooves machined by an experienced machinist or gun smith. Once the correct base is matched to the firearm, it is simply a matter of purchasing a set of rings to coincide with the mounting system as many of the rifle scope rings on the market can be used with different manufacturer’s bases.

The primary options in terms of materials used in the manufacturing of scope rings are steel or aluminum. Steel rings are much sturdier and keep the round shape of the rings from becoming compressed and oval shaped over a period of time or in the case of the rifle being dropped. They are most often produced by molding or machining. This process offers more variance. Aluminum rings are made using a process called extrusion, in which many rings are created from a single piece of material. This process creates mostly identical rings offering the best accuracy. Each style of ring comes with many options in terms of the finish to match the shooter’s preference. Everything from a matte finish to a camouflage is available. Another thing to consider is the height of the ring purchased. Rings come in low, medium, and high heights. Typically, the size of the scope’s objective lens outside diameter and the ocular ball size will determine the height needed on the rings in order to allow the scope cap to clear the barrel.

Proper installation of rifle scope rings does more than just secure accurate aim. It may also help to protect the gun, the scope and more importantly, the shooter. Mounted rings that are too loose will most likely turn freely over time and throw off the accuracy. Rings that are too tight, even just slightly, may bend the sight tube rendering the scope inoperable. When trying to avoid damaging the scope, it is imperative to match the inside diameter size of the scope ring to the outside diameter size of the scope tube. Look for a set of rings that will allow the scope to mount close to the barrel of the rifle but without actually touching it. This will make it much easier to bring the target into the sight picture more quickly and will also help to ensure a higher level of accuracy when shooting long distances. Once the scope and rings are mounted in place and adequately, use Loc-Tite or another brand of thread locker ensures the screws will not loosen with recoil.

There are many other options than just normal rifle scope rings. Extension rings can be used when it is desired for the scope to sit higher on the rifle. These can also be used in cases of mounting a shorter scope onto a rifle with a longer receiver and can offer about another half-inch of mounting leeway. Quick release rings have a lever that allows the user to take off the scope more easily when cleaning or transporting the firearm from the field. It can also come in handy for a hunter trying to put a longer-ranged scope on, depending on the type of game being hunted, though if a single scope is used between more than one gun, re-zeroing the scope will most likely be necessary each time it is exchanged. Offset scope rings allow the scope to be mounted on the side of the weapon. These types of scope rings are usually chosen based on the action style of the gun and if the weapon already has factory mounted sights.

Most of the time, manufacturers of rifle scopes also make sets of rings to compliment the scopes they produce. It may seem ideal to purchase rings made by the scope manufacturer but it is not necessary, as many companies make quality rings that can be paired with any style of scope. One line that Weaver manufactures are Lever-Lok rings. Made of solid steel, these rings consistently receive high ratings in reviews. They have a cross-lock design, which helps to keep the rings more stable and secure. They are also quite affordable and easy to install. Lever-Lok rings also allow a quick release without the need of tools for removing a scope. In fact, it is possible to detach these rings with the scope still attached to them. Leupold makes the Rifleman series of scope rings, which are machined from aluminum; these rings are lightweight and able to withstand significant recoil forces. They are low priced and also receive good reviews on a regular basis. Though on the higher priced end, Nikon makes a variety of rifle scope rings that live up to the company’s reputation for high-quality products. Many of these rings come in the Mossy Oak style finish. The Simmons Company makes sets of aluminum rings. Extremely affordable while still being well built, these rings not only consistently receive good reviews, they also have a loyal following of customers.

With all the different options of rifle scope rings out on the market, it can be a bit confusing trying to decide the correct one to purchase. The most important things to look for are light rings that match the mounting system that the particular firearm utilizes and also the size of the scope tube. The last thing any shooter wants is to spend their hard earned dollars on a rifle and scope only to have the whole system compromised by poor scope rings. Good rings need not be pricey, but they should stay secure once attached to the weapon giving peace of mind to the shooter.

Binoculars

Vanguard Spirit ED Binocular Overview and Review

The new set of Vanguard Spirit ED binoculars offers cutting-edge enhancements in ocular technology. State-of-the-art developments take into mind not only technical conveniences but also the visual necessities of the individual user.

Spirit ED 10x42 Does that make Vanguard’s Spirit ED the “perfect” set of binoculars? That would be up to the individual, although many users have already given them the thumbs-up. Still, readers should research before making any decision.

The Spirit ED: a Piece-by-Piece Review

The most popular Spirit size is the 8×42 due to its broader viewing capabilities. That’s not to say the 10×42 is of inferior quality. Both offer similar features and are widely sought. Viewing, however, leads the list as far as most users’ needs and preferences go. The differences between the two rest primarily in body and lens size, hence the greater viewing range with the 8×42 size.

Specs

Below are the specs for both ‘8×42’ and the ‘10×42’ sizes. Where no distinction is made, the details generally apply to both.

Prism Type: BaK4 roof
Magnifications: 8x and 10x
Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
View Angle:
- 8×42: 6.3 degrees
- 10×42: 6.0 degrees
Field-of-Vision:
- 8×42: 330ft @ 1,000yds/109.66m @ 1,000m
- 10×42: 314ft @ 1,000yds/105m @ 1,000m
Minimum Focal Distance/Near-Focus:
- 8×42: 8.2’/2.5m
- 10×42: 2.5m/8.2ft
Focus Type: central focusing wheel
Eye Relief:
- 8×42: 19mm
- 10×42: 16mm
Exit Pupil Diameter: 5.3mm
Weight:
- 8×42: 1.32lbs/599g
- 10×42: 21.16oz/600g.
Tripod Mount: yes
Phase Coating: yes

Features

Body & Chassis – Tactile armoring made of durable rubber dampens sounds and is damage resistant. The lightweight, user-friendly design offers hand grooves along the barrels’ undersides for ease and comfort in handling.
Twist-Out Eye Cups – Two-stage maneuverability provides longer eye relief. Since the eye cups touch the skin directly, such positioning protects the interior lenses from over-exposure to unaccommodating weather and other threatening environmental conditions.
Advanced BaK4 Prism: Circular field of view allows better viewing performance.
ED, or Extra Low-Dispersing, Glass – Prism and lenses align filtered color to converge on the same focal plane in order to minimize chromatic aberration and ensure the maximum brightness, sharpness and contrast of every image, near and far. Color reproduction is acute and spans the spectrum of natural greens and other hues.
Multicoated Lenses – Innovative design includes AR and V-Max coatings that create optimum light transmissions and low-light performance, such as at nightfall. Optical glass reflects ten percent of light while permitting the other ninety percent to stream in so all imagery is bright, sharp and of high contrast.
HydroGuard – External hydrophobic coating facilitates lens cleaning and simultaneously allows for better performance in wet environmental conditions.
Short Near-Focus: Closer views are sharp, vivid and distinct as well.
Waterproof/Fog-Proof: Ergonomic construction prevents damage that could result from the surrounding environment or inclement weather.
Focusing Wheel – Central position provides for aesthetics and functionality. Diopter knob makes possible separate adjustments to lenses, depending on the user’s visual needs.
Tripod Mount – Central cover unscrews so users can attach binoculars to a set of tripod for stable, long-term viewing.
Carry Case – This nylon or polyester case exhibits outside panels and interior foam cushioning to ensure firm packing when binoculars are not in use. A nylon strap allows for either hand- or neck-carrying as necessary.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Those interested should inquire first to see if the case in included. It might not be. Never assume.

Conclusion

Testing panels have praised the Spirit ED for its innovation and ideal combination of technical features and a user-friendly design. Apparently, nothing is frivolous here, yet the Spirit ED unit is still appealing to many. That’s worth of consideration.

If you want to learn a little bit more about these awesome binoculars, watch the video below:

Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 7 Binoculars Quick Review

A good pair of binoculars is optically clear, compact enough to be easily carried, and durable enough to withstand unusual conditions. Monarch 7 binoculars, from Nikon, meet all of these criteria. By combining the best in optical technology with a sturdy, well engineered design, Nikon has made a pair of binoculars that will meet almost any need.

Features

The Nikon Monarch 7 binoculars feature low dispersion glass, phase correcting roof prisms, and dielectric high reflection prism coatings to make the optical image created for the viewer as clear and true to life as possible. All of these elements combine to make a very high fidelity viewing experience, as well as to ensure that glare or other light phenomena do not compromise the view. In addition, scratch resistant coatings are applied to all exterior lenses to guard against damage. The binoculars are also sealed with o-rings and filled with nitrogen gas to maintain a water resistant seal that is effective in up to 3 feet of water for up to 10 minutes. The binoculars can also be affixed to a tripod for stationary viewing, and feature flip down lens caps.

Durability

Binoculars, being a very fine and precise optical tool, are often thought of as being fragile. With the Monarch 7 binoculars, this is not the case. Owing to the durable casing and the many protective features designed to protect the optical components, these binoculars are up for just about anything that may get thrown at them. These are ideal as sporting binoculars, and would do well on a nature excursion or in other sporing situations.

Optical Accuracy

Nikon Monarch 7 binoculars are quite good optically. The many glare and refraction reducing features create an image that is clear and not distorted or fuzzy. These same optics also present the viewer with a very true to life representation of color and brightness.

Price

Good binoculars are never cheap. While different retailers vary somewhat in price, the average seems to run around $400. Considering the quality of the binoculars, this is quite reasonable. Given that many high end binoculars can run half again as much as this or even more, the Monarch 7 binoculars are well priced.

Drawbacks

Despite their very high quality and reasonable pricing, there have been some minor complaints regarding the Monarch 7 binoculars. The most common, and also most major, is that the binoculars are difficult to get into good focus. While adjusting the focus on them is quite is easy, it can be tricky to dial in the focus for a crisp and clear image. Another, albeit less major, complaint has been that the instructions that come with the binoculars are poorly worded and difficult to follow. Several of the instruction sections seem to have no illustrations, thus compounding the problem of clunky wording. However, given the prevalence of online video tutorials and reviews, this should present only a minor inconvenience.

Conclusion

Beyond a couple of very minor drawbacks, the Monarch 7 binoculars from Nikon are an excellent pair of medium priced binoculars. While certainly not military grade, they will suffice for almost any normal usage. They are also extremely durable, allowing them to be taken on hikes, nature outings, bird watching, or just about any other expedition you may have in mind. The optics produce a very clear and undistorted image that is both bright and colorful. The same features that make the binoculars water resistant also serve to keep it sealed against atmospheric humidity, preventing the lenses from fogging up and producing a blurry image.

Rifle Scopes

Bushnell Banner 4-12x40mm Review

No matter how many times the “one that got away” story gets told, it never really makes the hunter feel any better. The excuses are abound from sun glare to a deer getting spooked and it never seems to be the shooters fault. But we all know that a bad shot can happen, but equipment failure just makes it that much worse because it’s avoidable. Fortunately for the avid sportsman and target shooter, Bushnell makes this excellent Banner 4-12x40mm rifle scope. For scopes in this price range, the quality and durability are simply unmatched by anyone else.

Let’s face it, there are a lot of products out there on the market that will promise the moon but when out of the box and on the rifle, it just never makes the grade. It always seems like quality comes at a huge cost. Well, not anymore. With this Bushnell product on the shelves, the true hunter can finally get the clarity and range he or she needs without having to mortgage the house to get it. If there was one single complaint in the mid-range scope market it would be clarity. We all know field of vision becomes more of an issue the lower we get in price. Well, this product takes care of that age old dilemma once and for all. While the pricier scopes are a bit clearer around the edges, this product boasts an excellent field of vision and performs exceptionally well in low light. The Bushnell Banner 4-20x40mm finally offers this kind of quality coupled with affordability. Sure, we’d all like to head out and get an insanely expensive Nikon, but with the entrance of the Banner on the market, you’d soon be asking what the real difference between the two is aside from the price tag.

Getting a good read on your target is one thing, but getting the parts to get you to that point is something entirely different. While the turret knobs can seem a little small and hard to read, the scope is extremely easy to adjust. This model even is equipped with adjustments to compensate for bullet drop – a common gripe for the bargain hunting sportsman. And once this piece is set, it’s not uncommon for it to hold at zero through several hundred rounds. The Banner is able to do this because it’s made from quality materials and construction.

So this Bushnell model is well made and has all the adjustments needed to make that shot and it’s easy to use. In fact, it’s far easier to adjust than competing brands in this price point. While many hunters wear their ability to use precise adjustments and an almost scientific approach to the sport of shooting on their sleeve, we all know that it’s intangibles that is what grabs hold of us. It’s about reading the environment and getting a feel for the shot. The simplicity of this particular scope appeals those types of shooters. Shooters who are the set-and-forget type when it comes to elevation and wind. For the marksmen who rely on reticle scaling, this Bushnell model is for you.

The performance of the Banner is so reliable that almost any hunter worth his or her salt will recommend this model for the price. The quality of the product would command twice as much if it didn’t have the name “Bushnell” stamped on it. At the end of the day, we all need to watch our budgets and make them last. For the outdoors man who needs to find a solution to dollars versus their love of shooting, the Bushnell Banner 4-20x40mm rifle scope is the clear choice.

Rifle Scopes

Nikon M-223 3-12x42SF Review

There are a lot of scopes on the market, giving hunters and marksmen plenty of options to choose from. There are even many scopes designed specifically for rifles that fire a .223 caliber bullet. The Nikon M-223 3-12x42SF is an excellent option in that category of scopes.

The BDC 600 Reticle

The Nikon M-223 features the BDC 600 Reticle, which was specifically designed to military grade specifications to help you accurately calculate the trajectory of 5.56 NATO rounds with the polymer tips.

For newcomers and beginners to using a scope, a reticle is the unique indicator that calculates the trajectory of a potential shot. Originally known as “cross hairs”, modern reticles like the BDC 600 are customized to particular rounds. When the M-223 has been properly “zeroed”, the BDC 600 reticle features an open circle, with hash marks to walk out the trajectory from 100 to 600 yards. Knowing that my scope is perfectly engineered for my bullet, it’s no problem at all to accurately drop a target two football fields away.

Eye Box technology

Nikon M 223 A scope with the most powerful lens in the world is no good if you can’t see through it properly. I love the M-223 with its four inches of non-critical eye relief, which gives me an amazingly clear sight without risking recoil damage to my face. The ocular lens on the M-223 is huge, which gives me a super bright high-resolution view. I also like the four-time zoom range, which helps me quickly identify targets in the field.

Nikon’s patented Ultra ClearCoat optical system means that the lens is transmitting as much as 95% of the light through the body tubes. That’s simply astounding, as it means that I get a bright, sharp and fantastically crisp image.

Some beginners forget that one of the most important ways to calibrate your rifle scope is to accurately set the parallax. By using light refraction, the parallax of your intended target comes into sharp focus, giving you vital information for landing a difficult shot.

Ruggedness

I don’t buy scopes just to make my rifles look pretty. I admire the M-223 for its rugged one-piece main body tubes. Excellently engineered, I know I can rely on the scope to handle rough abuse in the field. Properly mounted, the scope is shockproof. The M-223 is also nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed, which means it can handle any boggy, wet conditions you can throw at it. You might be freezing in the mud, but at least you can rely on your scope to give you a crisp, clear shot with no fogging.

Boresighters

How to Boresight a Rifle

In this topic we will be discussing how to boresight a rifle. This procedure is typically applied to pre-align the sights, making zeroing easier. An instrument called a collimator or bore sighter can be used to achieve this. It contains a bore -diameter arbor along with an optical head that is placed inside the rifle’s muzzle. The scope can then be corrected to aim at the distant target, while the rifle is fixed into position.

A modern technique used in boresighting is to always utilize a laser instead of a visual check. This process is preferable since it will allow more rifle movement, ensuring the laser dot will not part with the barrel and doesn’t require the removal of the bolt. Another refined means of bore sighting works on the collimator, an optical fastener much like a scope sight, which attaches to the end of the rifle barrel. When using this technique, the collimator and the typical sight may be sighted to match. The majority of collimators contain grid patterns to recheck the zero after the rifle barrel is sighted.

While laser technology has become less expensive, laser bore sights have become popular. One class of laser bore sight is added inside the hollow chamber and then projects a ray through the rifle and onto the objective. To get the crosshairs on the laser dot, the user will need to adjust the rifle scope until both the crosshairs and the laser meets. Another type is a universal laser bore sighter which is connected to the end of the rifle barrel. It is aligned and fixed into position allowing the laser to project a beam directly onto the target.

No matter which method of bore sighting is employed, the effect is to align the crosshairs of the scope to the place where the barrel is pointing in a particular space. Because of variations in other variables the bore and the trajectory of ammo -sighted rifle will most likely not fire to the precise area that the cross-hairs suggest, and live ammo will have to be shot to fine tune the sighting process. It could be quantified from a particular decision making position, like the orientation of notches of a gun barrel. Instead, the device could be made to adapt a variety of conditions and still be adequately exact. In this bore sighting guide, we will explain everything you need to know about your rifle scope. It is fast, simple, and requires no costly tools or unique set up.

For those who haven’t already, Install the scope on the rifle.

You will have to install scope mounts if the rifle isn’t yet built using the hardware for mounting a scope. Now you can install the mounts and make sure they are secured. Now that the rifle mounts are in place and all the components have been tightened, you can setup the scope rings on the scope and allow them to be loose enough to align into position. You are going to want the ability to rotate the scope after mounting it on the rifle and to shift it backward and forwards. Perform modifications as necessary, so your horizontal line on the reticle is level. You’ll also have to modify the eye relief on your scope. While holding the rifle in a secure firing position, shift the scope forwards or backward until there isn’t any black ring surrounding the target. Additionally, it is significant to ensure you have obtained adequate eye comfort so that the scope isn’t going to impact your face as a result of recoil.

Now to Establish a Target

A glowing red dot is surely a reliable method of bore-sighting. You are not firing at the target, only aligning your sights, and this can be something that you could do indoors, just so long as you have adequate space. Exercise effective firearm safety, double check and be certain that your rifle is unloaded before you attempt to bore sight it.

Stabilizing Your Gun

A firearm vise might be perfect for this job, while you make the adjustments needed. However, any other type of stabilizer could be helpful to hold the firearm level. Have a great sight picture together with the front sight, keeping the gun level.

Now it’s Time To Line up Your Scope

Now that your site is leveled and your eye relief is ready to tighten up the scope rings and inspect all components to ensure they are secured. Next line-up the cross hairs with the objective, keeping an ideal sight image as well as keeping your eye on the correct space from the scope. Modify for windage and elevation on your scope until it is lined up as accurately as you can. What you are trying to find is a sight image that is perfect when you are looking at the right cheek-weld and sight picture, you can look through your scope and be lined up with the same spot. It is extremely tough to do this with no firearm vise or another type of stabilizer.

Getting Ready At The Gun Range

It is ideal to bring your rifle and follow through with a couple of practice rounds and make the necessary alterations to get the feel of the scope. Each firearm is somewhat different, no matter how precise, sight it correctly and take your time to get used to this.