Customer Reviews

Galileo 8x40 Wide Angle Binocular

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was on my way to a big sporting goods retailer to purchase a higher-end brand name pair
of 8x30's for $99. On the way I stopped in a local pawn shop and happened upon these for $30. I wasn't that interested until I looked through them. Pleasantly surprised at the
substantial build quality of the body, I was even more astounded at the wide clear field of view offered through these grippy brown binocs.

I've owned many pairs of Japanese made astronomy binoculars, these are made in China --
but then again, so were the $99 pair I was on my way to purchase. These had 10mm more
aperture than the 8x30's so I decided to buy them. After a little haggling, I ended up paying $25 out the door.

Here's my armchair not-so-technical analysis: these appear to have BAK7 prisms, self-evident
by the diamond shaped exit pupils. The exit pupils don't have a whole lot of eye relief,
I don't care -- I don't wear glasses when using binoculars. The edge performance could
be better, as could the coatings. Internal reflections during bright conditions can
be seen, but for the price paid I can live with the few shortcomings. They seem to be in
proper collimation, and come to a nice sharp clear focus. Depth of field could be better.
The focusing mechanism seems to hold focus with no problem, and I tend to really push
the binocs up to my eyes. I like the eyecups, they fit into my ocular orifices -- fit
eyes like older style binocs. I use them for birding, and have identified several birds
with them (I'm new to this birdwatching business). I really like their rubbery and hefty feel. I also peered up at the night sky, and stars came to pin points of light (good thing)
with no diffraction spikes in center of field of view.

I would have paid full price of $50 for these if I had seen them in a store.
I was presented with a good deal, took it, and weeks later I'm still happy about
my purchase.

I bought this item in a clerance sale in New Zeland after viewing through them. I was asounded by the optical clarity and complete lack of distortion and chromatic aberration. The image is razor sharp and the wide view gives great stereoscpic image depth. The contruction is solid - this is a well made optic. I cannot understand how these can be sold for only $50 USD. I paid only $25USD equivalent. I have compared them to the equivalent Pentax made in the Phillipines which were nowhere near the optical quality of the Galileo. The Pentax had marked pincushion distortion and severe CA and were 5.5 times the price.
This is a truly astounding optical instrument which also demonstrates also the poor the quality control of other big brands manufacturing in third world counties.
Well done Galileo and well done the USA !!

These binoculars have excellent optics (very clear image, no noticable aberations). They have good light gathering capacity, magnification, and wide angle view. The primary focus works smoothly, as does the dioptic. The eyepiece lens protectors fit comfortably around your eyes, and also fold back for easy use with eye glasses. They are light weight and easy to hold. In short, great for birding or other field observations. A really great value for the price.

I got this set of binoculars for airsoft use and already i can tell its going to be very useful in sniping, on the top left part of the image theres a black lever sticking out, you use that to zoom in and out in nothing flat. Its extremely durable and its a good color as not to give away my position. Another good part is that its lenses are very dull so you wont give yourself away by the glare of the glass. Its a very high quality image and there is no double image, in fact as soon as i got them out of the box there was no adjusting to be done, it comes with lense covers (for both ends) and a cloth for wiping the lenses down as well as a strap for your neck and a case. Great product; worth every cent!!!

The first thing that I noticed is that, while 500 feet field of view at 1000 yards is claimed for these binoculars in their description on Amazon, on the binocular itself is printed 420 ft at 1000 yards, still very good, but maximum field of view was one of the reasons I bought these. Others reviewing the more popular and more reviewed 8x40 wide angle version have written good detail on the optical performance. It is surprisingly good for a binocular of this price. Having spotted birds, for example, with the naked eye, it's easier to find them in a wooded environment with this binocular than with most that I have owned.

In sub-zero weather, an issue or two became evident. Most annoying was the great increase in force necessary to change the focus. I had to remove gloves and use both hands, not very comfortable at minus five degrees. But the optical performance was there, and that makes these well worth the price.