Characteristics of
Some Vintage Binoculars Field of view Apparent sharpness
Binocular Type Wt., oz. at 1,000 yds. KOC 7x35 25.4
Sankyo 6x30 18.7 Sears
7x35 27.0
On the KOC Streamline 7x35 the front of the right-hand eyepiece rotates to adjust for individual focus.
Optics.” On the front of the left-hand prism is a label that says Stream Line 7x35. One of the unusual features of this binocular is that the focusing wheel is at the bottom of the center spindle rather than at the top. Also, the individual focus for the right eye is around the objective lens rather than on the eyepiece. The binocular has a massive metal central hinge and the strap lugs are on the top of the prism covers. It is a sturdy binocular that gives a sharp image. If my memory serves correctly, this binocular carried a $12 price tag. If you thought that $5 would not buy anything today, you are mistaken. For that sum, a 7x35 binocular carrying
Taylor 9x35 24.0 Torenia 6x30 16.7 Wards 7x35 22.2
420 750 578 367 ---
393 Center Edge
Good Good V. Good Good Good Fair Good Good Good Good Good Fair
the Wards name turned up in an antique mall in Wiscon- sin. The information on the top plates states that it has an aluminum body, coated lenses, and a “regular” angle of view. This binocular was manufactured in Korea and when examining it for this description, I thought it did not ap- pear to be as sharp as some of the others. That is when I discovered that it rattled when I moved it. When I removed the front lens ring, I found that the ring that retains the objective lens was loose. After tightening the lens in place, I found that this binocular is acceptably sharp across the entire fi eld of view. I have no way to conduct a scientifi c evaluation of a
binocular. My general thoughts are summarized in the ac- companying table. Sharpness of an image depends on not only the resolving power of a lens but also on the contrast, and lens coatings have a bearing on contrast. So, my obser- vations are with regard to how well the binocular would serve as a “user” rather than being based on hard data. None of these vintage binoculars is the equivalent of
10th
Annual North Dakota Coyote Classic Dickinson, ND - Jan. 12-14, 2012
660 coyotes seen, 125 coyotes checked in 2011.
the $400 roof prism model that is my best optic. However, I have been very favorably impressed with the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 (see The VARMINT HUNTER Magazine®, Is- sue # 71, p. 87). This is an inexpensive, compact binocular that is excellent for general viewing, and the two compact 6x30 models described above compare favorably with the Yosemite.
Somewhere along the way, we have become enamored
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Won by Dave and Tom Guttormson with 34 coyotes. Please visit
www.coyotehunter.net
for additional tournament information
Quality Inn (701) 225-9510 30 rooms blocked - Release date Dec. 31, 2011 Book your rooms early!
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Page 58 October — December 2011
with high magnifi cation, both in rifl e scopes and binoculars. Note that all but one of the vintage binoculars described in this article are either 6x or 7x. Personally, I like the size, weight, and sharpness that low powered binoculars typi- cally have. The result is that my Leupold Yosemite 6x30 gets a lot of use. As a teenager I would have been delighted with any
of these inexpensive binoculars because I had none at all. With just about any rifl e having a Weaver K4 mounted on it and an inexpensive binocular I would have been prepared for serious varmint hunting. If you are just starting in var- mint hunting or know a youngster who is, don’t overlook an inexpensive vintage binocular to complete the outfi t.
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