Customer Reviews

Tasco Essentials 10x25 Compact Binocular (Black)

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

 

 

For the price, it's difficult to find fault with these binoculars. Tasco is evidently trying hard to make a high-value product (not just a toy) at an extremely competitive price. They are light, small, reasonably solid, and for the price I never worry about taking them into situations where they might get a little wet or a little mechanical abuse (e.g., bumps or scrapes).

So these would be a great choice for occasional or emergency use (e.g., to throw in a glove compartment or emergency bag, or to take hiking or backpacking), when having a small, lightweight, relatively high-power set of binoculars would be beneficial.

If you'll be using these for extended periods of time, I would encourage you to keep looking. The eye relief isn't great, so if you wear glasses you won't be able to see the full field of view. Also, and it could just be my pair, mine do not focus very sharply (spherical aberration?), especially at larger distances.

Also, be aware that these are probably best for active outdoors activities (hiking, hunting, etc.) in bright light -- if you can put up with the extra weight and cost, you might be better served by a pair with larger effective aperture and corresponding exit pupil (e.g., 10x42 or even 10x50) for pursuits like astronomy or (more sedentary) birding. This is not a criticism of these binoculars; they are designed to be 10x25, so the only thing I might complain about is the transmission of the AR coating, but that's simply not fair at this price point.

If you do get a pair, do some thorough field testing as soon as you get them, and return them if they don't suit your expectations.

Three stars may be too tough on these, but they're just not good enough optically to warrant more. Still, especially given their price, they're a whole lot better than nothing in a pinch.

I ordered 3 binoculars Bushnell Powerview 8x21, Tasco Essentials 10x25 and Barska Blueline 3x25 opera glass. After comparing them during day and night. I decided to keep Tasco and return the other two. I think the 25 view glass make a difference for the light to get in the right way comparing with the 21. Both the Tasco and Barska are very clear without light interference. Barska is very cute and elegant. It is great for ladies who also like some fashion when going to opera. But the 3x limited its power. I wanted something that can see the bowing of violinist when go to concert and sit in the back row. Neither the Bushnell nor the Barska fold all the way. They create bridges. So they are not super compact. Barska comes with a cheap pouch looks like leather but not. Both Bushnell and Tasco come with nice fabric cases which can be attached to belt. The Tasco can be fold all the way to be super compact and not easy to break by accident as the other two have gap between the tubes. The Size is a little bigger than the other two just because it is 10x and the tubes have to be a little longer to create the power. Both my kids are loving it. We tried to look at the moon tonight. It is unbelievably clear and beautiful. Barska was still clear but small. The Bushnell just could not provide a good image and there are some polarized lights look like cross going through the moon. I am going to order more of the Tasco Essentials 10x25.

Good disposable emergency travel binoculars

I bought these binoculars to leave in my SUV as an emergency backup when I forget my excellent Nikon 7216 Action 8 X 40 Binoculars. They are much lighter and smaller and I can leave in my map holder on the door or even in my pocket and forget I even have them which leaves the old saying binoculars are only good if you have them with you. And that's where these binoculars shine they are very tiny and very light.

They do bring things in close and after a little bit of focusing and adjusting width you can make things out if you have plenty of light. The little case they come with is pretty decent as well.

Now for the bad parts. The eye relief is pretty bad, you will have to prop your eye glasses above them and or remove them to use. Also they are pretty dim which of course a lot of cheaper 10x25 binoculars are. The strap is a small little string that does the job but is pretty thin. But hey for the price go ahead and purchase a couple one for your coat pocket and one for your vehicle oh and maybe one for your camera bag.

These would be a great pair to have children learn on as if they drop or abuse them its no big deal.

Pros:

Nice case
Super small size
Super light weight
Disposable price tag
Great learning binocular to hand to small children

Cons:

So so focusing
Just Ok low light ability
Just Ok optics
Not water tight or resistant

Verdict:

Purchase as disposable emergency travel binoculars and or as a toy for children to learn birding with and no more.

12-3-2008 Update:

Went to the store and tested a lot of different small bincoulars trying to find a pair that are almost as good as my Nikon Action 7216 8x40's and found the perfect one. If you need small and want a good view and a good price get the Nikon 7508 Travelite 8 X 25mm V Binoculars. They are: light (8.9 oz), fit the hand well are well made and very bright in the viewfinder for their size.

These arent going to let you spot something a mile away, but for a set of 10x25, this is a good pair. The range I would say these are good for is seeing something maybe up to 200 yards off with fairly good detail. If you want a pair of binoculars on the cheap and dont care if they wont bring you face to face with the moon, buy these.

This is my 1st pair of binoculars and I do not know alot about them, but these do what I need. Made strong and easy to use. I like the small size and that I can trow them in a side bag. They are rubber coated and have anti fog lenses. They come with a case, but no lens covers. The eye pieces are comfortable and adjust to almost any eye distance. For $10 I think I got a great deal.

I purchased this for all around general use and for the compact size. I did find silicone grease around the end rubber caps left over from assembly difficult to clean. However this was a minor inconvience as the optics are sharp and clear. The neck strap is thin (slighty larger than a shoe lace) so some may find it irritating around a bare neck. The supplied carrying case offers additional protection for travel or stuffing in my gear bag.

These things are great for backpacking or just having around the house. The 10X multiplier is powerful and gets you zoomed in on most everything you want. The compact size is great for saving space in your pack and the unit is easy to focus and get a sharp view of your target. I may pick up another pair since my wife wanted to hog them for much of our last trip.

These are really nice binoculars for the price. Very clear and easy to use. Great for travel also. I recommend these for someone who just wants a really nice pair of binoculars and doesn't want to spend much money. Pick these!

Bought this pair of binoculars for nearly pocket change. I took them to Alaska on our recent cruise and was very pleased with them. I carried them in the pouch they came in attached to my belt. I barely knew they were there till I needed them.

I purchased the tasco Essentials 10x25 for quick access from my Duty belt. Two weeks ago I took the compact binoculars on the patrol boat with me to give them a test spin. At first I must say they did worked great with nice optics for the price. After 2 hours in the sun the cement holding the bridge of the binoculars must have overheated. When I pick them up from dashboard above the helm (steering Wheel) and spread them apart, the bridge came completely apart as did one of the lenses. All in All I think is still a good product just keep it out of the sun...