Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars

by Nikon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 4 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002VAI0E
• Item model number: 7506
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,538 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 14, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Compact and lightweight, the Premier LX-L 8x20 and 10x25 binoculars are the perfect travel companion. Optically, they are unmatched in the world of compact offerings. Not only do they offer an amazing field of view for a compact, but they also deliver exceptional close-focus distance and long eye relief. True to Nikon Premier LX-L form, they are also guaranteed completely waterproof and fogproof.

Nikon has set a new standard in pocket binocular performance notable for those hunters who appreciate the finer details of their sport. The Premier LX-L compacts deliver legendary Nikon optical performance in a package that not only is useable on any hunt, but that can also fit into the budget plans of any serious enthusiast.

Joining Nikon's highly acclaimed 8x42/10x42 and 8x32 LX binoculars in the Nikon Premier Optics lineup, the new mini 10x25 LX-L compact matches the needs of a wide range of hunters who value ultra-small size and portability, but refuse to sacrifice optical quality in the bargain.

Nikon engineers designed these compacts to over-deliver on features and performance and to under-deliver on size. Measuring a scant 4.3 x 4.4 inches, the two mini binoculars tip the scales at just about 10 ounces each, making them as portable as anything on the planet when it comes to high-performance hunting optics.

As part of the Nikon Premier binocular line, the LX minis are built using the very finest optical components to ensure exceptional handling and peak optical performance. Nikon's exclusive Eco Glass, made without the use of lead or arsenic, is used throughout the optical system. Lenses are carefully ground and polished, then coated with multiple layers of proprietary anti-reflective compounds for incredibly bright images, even in twilight or other poor light conditions.

High-grade prisms used in the LX-L get two types of coating--a silver coating to boost light transmission, and a special phase correction coating for sharpness and clarity. Together, the mini LX-L optical system provides extremely bright, tremendously sharp images, huge fields of view (282-356 feet @ 1,000 yards), lengthy eye relief (15mm) and closefocus distances that are unheard of among the world’s high-end compacts—7.8 or 10.4 feet.

To maximize ruggedness, Nikon built the 8x20 and 10x25 LX-L compact on a tough, lightweight magnesium alloy chassis--rubber armored for shockproof integrity--and then purged it of all moisture with bone-dry nitrogen for 100% guaranteed waterproof and fogproof performance. The little LX-L also features the convenience of smooth central focusing, a central diopter control and slide and lock eyecups that retract for use with eyeglasses.

As with all other Nikon binoculars, these Premier compacts are backed by Nikon's 25 Year Limited Warranty and No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy.

Technical Specs

Model	8x20	10x25
Product Number	7506	7507
Focusing System	CF	CF
Magnification X	8	10
Objective Diameter (mm)	20	25
Angular Field of View (Real)	6.8	5.4
Angular Field of View (Apparent)	50.8	50.5
FOV @ 1000 yds. (ft.)	356	283
Close Focus Distance (ft.)	7.8	10.4
Exit Pupil (mm)	2.5	2.5
Relative Bightness	6.3	6.3
Eye Relief (mm)	15	15
Size - (L & W) (in)	3.7 x 4.3	4.4 x 4.3
Weight (oz)	9.5	10.5
Prism Coating	Phase Corrected, Silver Coating	Phase Corrected, Silver Coating

Nikon EDG Key Highlights

Phase-Corrected, Silver Coated Roof Prisms Nikon’s phase-correction roof prisms enhance resolution for excellent detail. The silver coatings, coupled with fully multicoated lenses deliver extremely bright, clear, vivid images across the periphery of the viewing field.


A Rugged, Durable Binocular The Nikon EDG binocular was designed for ergonomic functionality, durability and precise balance in the hand. Its magnesium alloy body offers ruggedness at a sensible weight.



Nikon Premier Additional Highlights

• O-ring sealed and dry nitrogen filled for waterproof, fogproof performance
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click adjustments are extremely eyeglass friendly
• Environmentally sound and lightweight Eco-Glass used throughout
  

Warranty Information

Nikon is dedicated to quality, performance and total customer satisfaction. If your Nikon binocular, Spotting Scope or Fieldscope requires service or repair not covered by our 25 Year Limited Warranty, Nikon will repair or replace it (even it was your fault) for just $10, plus return shipping and handling.
Excludes – StabilEyes, Laser Rangefinders and Spotting Scope/Fieldscope eyepieces.

FAQ's

Real field of view
Real field of view is the angle of the visible field, seen without moving the binoculars, measured from the central point of the objective lens. The larger the value is, the wider the viewfield available. For example, binoculars with a wider field of view are advantageous for locating fast-moving wild birds within the viewfield. This also applies for finding small nebulas or a cluster of stars in astronomical observations.

Apparent field of view
Apparent field of view is the angle of the magnified field when you look through binoculars.
The larger the apparent field of view is, the wider the field of view you can see even at high magnifications.

With the conventional method used previously, the apparent field of view was calculated by multiplying the real field of view by the binocular magnification. (With this formula, apparent field of view wider than 65˚ is called wide field of view.)

After revision, Nikon's figures are now based on the ISO 14132-1:2002 standard, and obtained by the following formula:

tan ω' = τ x tan ω
Apparent field of view: 2ω'
Real field of view: 2ω
Magnification: τ
(With this formula, apparent field of view wider than 60° is called wide field of view.)

For example, the apparent field of view of 8x binoculars with an 7.0°real field of view is as follows:
2ω' = 2 x tan^-1 (r x tan ω)

= 2 x tan^-1 (8 x tan 3.5)
= 52.1°

Relative Brightness
Relative brightness value is obtained by squaring the diameter of the exit pupil. The greater the relative brightness is, the brighter the image will be. With 8x42 binoculars, the brightness is (42÷8)2= 28.1. This means that if the magnification is the same, the larger the effective diameter of the objective lens, the brighter the image will be.

Do binoculars with the same exit pupil offer the same brightness?

No. Brightness may vary even if the exit pupil is the same. This is because the amount of light reaching the viewer's eyes varies according to the number of lens elements and quality of lens/prism coatings. Superior optical design and highquality coating greatly contribute to the brightness of binoculars. Brightness values specified in product brochures, etc. are theoretical ones calculated in the design process. Please note these factors when comparing actual brightness values.

Prism Coatings
Multilayer coating is also applied to prisms to raise transmittance. A roof prism system has one surface that does not feature total internal reflection, so vapor deposition with metals, etc. must be used to raise the reflectivity of this surface. Also, phase-correction coating on roof surface ensures high-contrast images.
*Binoculars' brightness and contrast are affected by not only prism coatings, but also the number of objective lens and eyepiece lens, and types of coatings.

Metal-vaporized, high-reflectivity prism coating Using vacuum-vaporization technology, metallic material such as aluminum or silver is applied to the reverse side of a prism surface that is not totally reflective. This raises the reflectivity of the prism mirror surface. Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating This coating features reflectance that exceeds 99%. By utilizing light interference, this coating assures high reflectivity across the full visible range, and ensures high color reproducibility.

Reflectance characteristics of prism coatings on mirror surface The horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light. The vertical axis indicates the reflectance of light. Binoculars' brightness is determined not only by the reflective mirror, but also by the total optical system such as the number of lenses and quality of coatings.

Phase-correction coating A roof (Dach) surface can cause phase shift of light that affects image resolution. This phenomenon is caused by phase differences arising from total light reflection on a roof (Dach) surface and it can occur with even a perfectly processed prism. Phase-correction coating is applied to the surface to minimize loss of resolution, ensuring high-contrast images.

Environmentally Sound Optical Glass (Eco-glass) Nikon seeks to minimize the risk of environmental pollution caused by lead and arsenic in optical glasses throughout the entire product lifecycle. ECO-GLASS, our new optical glass free of lead and arsenic, is to be incorporated in the optical systems for all of our products.
Development of Eco-glass and its use in all products Since its foundation in 1917 as the first optical glass manufacturer in Japan, Nikon has always attributed special importance to the development and manufacture of optical glass for use in optical equipment. In the 1970s, in order to tackle emerging pollution problems, we reviewed the compositions of various types of optical glass used for our products and discontinued the use of cadmium in them. Subsequently in the 1990s, we developed "Eco-glass" that does not contain lead or arsenic, because we regarded our use of lead and arsenic in about 100 types of optical glass up to then as a serious environmental problem for our business activities and products. We thought that the problem should be solved before the arrival of the age of the global environment in the 21st century. Accordingly, over about five years from 1996, we invested nearly 400 million yen in R&D for Eco-glass. Furthermore, we started to use Eco-glass in the optical systems of all our products, including cameras, steppers and scanners, microscopes, and binoculars through close cooperation between the optical glass development/manufacturing department and the optical design department, while ensuring that our products retain higher optical performance than conventional products. Nikon delivers a wide spectrum of optical devices, which are all expected to constantly provide the highest optical performance in their respective fields. While meeting these expectations, we now use Eco-glass in nearly 100% of our products, excluding some with special optical specifications that Eco-glass cannot meet. Nikon will continue to minimize the risk of pollution (air, water and soil pollution, and contamination of waste disposal sites) caused by optical glass containing lead and arsenic throughout the lifecycle of its products, including the exploitation of materials and the manufacture, use, and disposal of products.	Lenses and prisms made using Eco-glass
	Development of Eco-glass

Twilight Factor
The factor that has the greatest impact on resolution or image detail, will be dependent upon the amount of light available during the time of observation. During daylight hours, when your eye pupil size will be only about 2 to 3mm, magnification will be the principal factor in image resolution. At night, with the eye pupil dilated to 6 to 8mm, aperture size is the controlling factor. In twilight conditions both of these factors control resolution effectiveness and the twilight factor is the term that compares binocular performance under these conditions.

The twilight factor is calculated by taking the square root of the product of the magnification and the aperture. The higher the twilight factor, the better the resolution of the binocular when observing under dim light conditions. For example, a 10 X 40 (twilight factor 20) would effectively resolve better under these conditions than a 7 X 35 (twilight factor 15.4) even though the 10 X 40 has a smaller exit pupil. Remember, however, that the twilight factor does not take into account the transmittance or quality of the optical system.

Product Description

Traditionally, an 8x20 binocular is perfectly suited for theater and stadium use. Extraordinarily compact, it provides ample magnification with a reduced field of view so you can focus on character and action details. Of course, it's really lightweight and easy to carry around. The Nikon Premier LX offers superior optics and all-weather protection so you can use it as a very compact birding and field scope. It's especially useful when travelling because it doesn't occupy lots of luggage space - great for travelling light. It includes a leather case and lens protectors. Superior optics, sharp focus, and long-eye relief (for eyeglass wearers) contribute to help make the Premier LX a top performer for theater and sports viewing that's more than effective in other applications too. Durable, lightweight magnesium-alloy construction Eco-Glass manufactured without lead or arsenic Soft-touch silicon rubber for the eyecups Includes Soft Leather Case and carrying strap Non-vinyl chloride body materials for comfortable, safe, secure touch Center Focus control Field of View at 1000 Yards 390.4' (119m @ 1000m) Exit Pupil 2.5mm Eye Relief 15 mm Eye Width Adjustment Range 56-72mm Close Focus Distance 10.5 feet Rubber Coated (Armored) Unit Dimensions L x W 3.78 x 4.3 / Weight 7.3 oz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love 'em ... a lot!, March 8, 2007

By 

M. Graf "Graf's River House" (Wimberley, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars (Electronics)

I have this pair of binoculars and a Nikon 82 ED Fieldscope for observing Texas wildlife. Lately, I find myself using these binoculars almost exclusively.

They are bright, sharp and quick. The higher eye-relief accommodates my eyeglasses well giving a large view. I've used them w/o the eyeglasses and noticed no difference in the view. Being waterproof means I can take them on the river without worry.

The placement of the focus adjustment took a bit of getting used to, but seems natural now.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch compacts, August 12, 2008

By 

V. Kurpan (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars (Electronics)

I gave my Ziess classic compacts to my wife because I wanted some compacts with better eye relief for glasses. I went to a place that had them all on display.... Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, etc. These Nikons were the hands down winner. They are a bit bigger and heavier than the Zeiss and Leica but if you wear glasses there is no other choice. I've had these about 1.5 years now and still love 'em. I have full sized Swarovski's and Nikon SE's, etc. but these get used 5x as much as those. These truly deserve 5 stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great optical quality, but weak mechanically, October 17, 2009

By 

The Kodachromeguy (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars (Electronics)

These little Nikon Premier 8x20 LX glasses are very good quality optically, sharp from corner to corner and easy to focus. But mine have proven to be delicate and the hinges have loosened and become floppy twice in two years. Nikon USA fixed them under warranty, but I am not impressed with the lack of robustness. Not recommended.