Pentax SP 8x40 WP Binoculars (Black)

I own the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56mm binocular (here to for called "Zeiss" in this review), which costs, literally, seven times as much as this Pentax 20x60 WP. They are not the same binocular, for sure, but I will attempt to find some meaning in these differences.The Zeiss is made in Germany and has ultra-low ED glass, complete with Loutec proprietary coatings. The Pentax is made in China (stated clearly on box) and features fully-coated but not ED glass. The optics of both binoculars are exceptional. The Zeiss is brighter (as a 15x vs. 20x is expected to be), and has improved accuracy of color. It is with no significant loss of focus in the periphery, and the view quality is stunning and memorable. (Note: I also own top-of-the-line Zeiss Victory FL binoculars and, although the price is more than the Conquest HD, I see no visible improvement of quality between those two Zeiss models). The Pentax, on the other hand, has a touch of taint to the coloration; I would call it slightly bland in color representation that seems distinct from the dimmer view. Nothing is as vivid in the Pentax as in the Zeiss. The peripheral FOV of the Pentax has slight fuzziness, only because I'm looking for it. I do not see grotesque chromatic aberration, but I'm not using these for astronomy so likely wouldn't notice it when watching bikinis on the beach.The optics, overall, are superb in both binoculars, with the Zeiss winning certainly and absolutely...but is it worth seven times the price of the Pentax? This is hard to quantify, so I will instead mention roles. If you are using the binoculars to view batters from the "cheap seats" in the outfield, if you are watching boats come in at the ocean shore on a bright afternoon, if you are doing surveillance of your fiancees house from your truck to be sure she is not cheating, then there is no way that the price difference is of value to you. On the other hand, if you are tracking the tail plumage of migratory waterfowl, if you are hunting elk across a canyon at twilight, if you are trying to show your birder friends that you have hit the lottery, then yes, the price difference is right and just for you.Magnification: I debated the Pentax as I already owned the Zeiss. Would the magnification be different enough from 15x to 20x to be worth the purchase. The answer is astoundingly yes. It's likely a factor of FOV, but I can honestly say that the mag difference is more than one would expect between the two. And magnification is hard to beat with better optics otherwise. What do I mean? Better coloration, less fringing, less chromatic aberration, sure it's all good. But if I'm looking at a pitcher from the bleachers to see how he's palming his throw, does any of that matter? No. What matters is magnification, and the Pentax has it. Magnification trumps all the rest of the hokey-pokey when you are seriously trying to look at a focal point at a distance away. And this is how the Pentax will fit into my uses.I should mention that the case of the Pentax is so-so; it's thin and provides not much padding if you re going to be bumping these optics around a boat or in the woods, so you might want to upgrade that. The individual objective covers fit nicely and stay in place, but are not attached by rubber hinges like modern "drop down" covers. Everyone mentions, and rightly so, that the eyepiece covers are loose. They sure are. They literally fall off. BUT, if you are planning to use these indoors to look at birds at your backyard feeder, for example, this is an advantage. Why? The binoculars are large enough to stand on their objective end down on a table without the objective lens caps in place (the table will keep the objectives dust free), and one can just place the eyepiece cover atop the eye lenses easily. Then, one quick swipe and the eyepiece cover is off (as opposed to struggling to get them off at each use, particularly with binocs that have individual eyepiece covers) and you lift the binocs to view in all of two seconds. Winner!I must mention hand-holding these "big eye" binoculars. Everyone seems to emphasize the necessity of a tripod (in fact, the Zeiss model comes with a tripod adapter; the Pentax does not). I agree that for long duration viewing (watching a bird's nest, the SpaceX launch pad, a stationary window from your across street neighbors that never pull the bedroom blinds), sure, grab that tripod. But, both of these binoculars are perfectly useable by hand holding. I'm no maharishi that can hold my breath and lower my pulse to be able to use these binoculars without moving; conversely, I'm a constant talker, and often while chewing gum! I can see just fine for one or two minutes at a time with these binoculars. If I'm at a baseball game, rest one elbow on the chair arm or my knee, no problem. The bottom line is that in real world situations, there's almost always a support. Elbows on a picnic table, shoulder against a tree trunk, knees up when sitting with back against a boulder. All it takes is a touch of support, and these binoculars are plenty useable for many minutes of constant "glassing". In fact, a binocular harness, properly adjusted, can add stability from tension on the straps themselves. Of course, many times, one can simply place their backpack on a rock or stump and rest the binoculars atop it and not use any hands at all for a makeshift tripod. Bottom line is, I would have no compunctions about bringing this Pentax to a ballgame to watch from the cheap seats by hand-holding exclusively.All in all, great binoculars. Worth more than the sales price as there are so few options in a portable 20x magnification binocular. The astronomical 20x80mm binoculars are simply too large to carry to the ballpark without a wheelbarrow, and the need for such large light-sucking objectives is limited to viewing dark things in dark night. For the rest of us, these 60mm objectives work well and travel well (three pounds as opposed to most 8x32 or 10x32 binoculars at 1.5 pounds, is it really that much difference; we're not through-hiking the Appalachian trail here, we are walking out to the cheap seats from the parking lot, is all). Super pleased with them, super happy that I bought them despite owning the Zeiss 15x56mm prior to this purchase. Particularly if you already own 8x and/or10x binoculars, these will be a totally different viewing experience and should be worth your time for alternative applications. Great gift idea for those who enjoy the outdoors, sports, concerts (can buy those cheaper grassy lawn seats at the amphitheater and still have a front row seat), etc. Highly recommended.

Been looking for something better than the Bushnell 8x21mm compact binoculars I got for hunting years ago only paid about $ 20 bucks for them used then for long distance while on vacation on the coast and sight seeing . For the amount I used then I put off getting something better. However, as I have started using them more and even tried for astronomy, really was not getting the performance I wanted. Read some stuff on line about all the power and objective sizes. Thought about dabbling in astronomy but did not want to buy a telescope and be stuck with just that usage. I also still wanted to sight see as well during the day . So I decided to check on a binocular that would work ok for entry level astronomy . Just incase It would not be my cup of tea and still had something for sight seeing . Wanted fog and water proof , kept looking at the Nikon ex 16x power and the pentax 20x 60mm sp wp binos . Watched the prices on both and saw the price of the Nikons had dropped to around 150 dollars and almost bought those , but wasn’t commented to spend that kind of money yet . The pentax binos remained above 200 dollars , out of the question not spending that kind of money. The other day just by chance I check on both found new pentax binos down to 168 dollars . More power larger objectives and about the same price as the Nikons. Added to cart and bought them and only 5.99 for next day shipping . Next day found them 10 dollars less. Should have waited one more day . Got them shipped to where I work , opened the box on my lunch break and , Amazon take notice !! , I consider binoculars fragile and not to receive hard bumping abuse . Absolutely not enough packing material in and around box binos came in , The box the binoculars came in is of thin cardboard and a inner thin cardboard box round the soft case the binoculars were in side of. The top corner of the factory box was ripped about a inch and a half. Fearing impact damage I took them out and looked at the top of a distant hill . Got in focus and image looked good . Put them away before my fellow employees came out all wanting to try them . Got home that night took them out again. Checked the factory box over other than the box ripped no signs on hard hitting during shipping . Only thing I noticed the plastic bag the binos were in was not taped shut when I took them out , concerned me if these were store demo ?? Checked them over really good no marring or scratches , if they were out store self at one point they were probably in a show case of some sort .Like the other reviews here, you get a soft vinyl case . No shoulder strap, just basically a soft bag to store then in . Given the weight and size I am considering getting hard foam lined case to put bag and all in unless I can find a back pack of some sort . Which Leeds me into the lens covers, objectictive covers fit good however not tethered to binos , eye lens cover not tight , not tethered either , one piece cover both eye pieces and does fall off if binos tilted over to far . Maybe pentax worried about if eye lens covers fit to tight they would damage the twist up eye cups over time ?? Any way may try find something else the would fit better or at least find something to hold the on . Until then I keep the eye cups up a bit to try to prevent eye lens from getting scratched . If the cover comes off. You get a neck strap, it’s ok if your going to have it around your neck along time you may want something better . I can only speak for my self because every on is different , handing the binoculars fit and feel well in my hands . I find I am more steady looking though them than with bushnell binos I think the weight helps to keeps me from being so shaky . Another thing as you bring them up to your eyes I found it difficult to stay on target . After a few times putting the up I was able to keep on target line of sight . Just takes practice. And not trying to adjust focus with focus wheel locked ,which I find could be annoying if your going to look at things require refocusing and you keep locking it . The sight picture is very good and clear , I am no expert just a avarage user . I will probably never look though a pair of thousand dollar binos so I will never know what I am missing or If I could tell the difference . Looking forward to using them more and trying astronomy soon , the nights are cold and it’s going to be cloudy and raining for the next few days If I find some problem I update the review , but so far , I think they are worth the lower price .