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First time out with my Pentax SPs

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mouthcaller View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: November/28/2006
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mouthcaller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: First time out with my Pentax SPs
    Posted: February/11/2007 at 22:01

I wanted to again thank the informative folks on the board for providing great advice that influenced me in the purchase of these binoculars.

 

I bought the Pentax 8X42 DCF-WP II binos before Christmas and hunted with them several times.  I really liked them a lot - in fact I thought they would be the last binos I purchased until someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a trade-in for a new 8X43 DCF-SP.

 

I used the new SPs today on a coyote hunt that lasted until dusk.  Compared to the WP II, I think the SPs are:

 

Brighter

 

Sharper - more of the field is in focus as you move to the edge.  Only at the last 10-20 % of the field am I able to detect a loss of focus with the SPs

 

Has less chromatic flare when looking at an angle toward the sun

 

Have a locking dioptor ring compared to one that doesnt' lock or contain click-stop detents.  This feature was removed from the WP II model according to Pentax.

 

Are noticably lighter than the WP II.  That extra 4-5 ounces makes a difference IMO

 

I am completely satisfied with these binos.  They are everything I wanted plus some.  I actually experienced the "wow factor" when looking through them for the first time.  They will be put to a lot of hard use so I am anxious to see how they hold up over time. 

 

Thanks again for all the great advice.

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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2007 at 06:54

Thank you for the nice review of these bins. I think many of your comments highlight some of the wonderful features that the SPs offer over that of some of the regular $300-$400 roof prism models.

 

I wonder if Pentax is going to continue to keep the SPs in their lineup with the new EDs hitting the market. I know we are talking about two different price ranges so they do not really overlap much but I am curious regardless.

Frank
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mouthcaller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mouthcaller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2007 at 11:35

I suspect that Pentax will keep the SPs in the lineup.  They sit in a nice position between the premium ED and the value model WP IIs.

 

The new EDs have a list price of "under $900.00" on the Pentax website, while the SPs are listed for "under 700.00" and the WP IIs list for "under 450.00".  Of course, the typical purchase price is nowhere near these list prices, but I would say Pentax has these binos positioned pretty nicely. 

 

 

ADDENDUM:  I looked around the net for the new EDs and the 8X43 version is selling (not just listing) for $899.00.  That price may go down with time but that leaves a large gap between the EDs and the SPs.  The 8X43 SPs can be had for as low as $429.00 new on the internet.  SWFA has them listed for $499.00.

 



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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/12/2007 at 11:44
Originally posted by mouthcaller mouthcaller wrote:

I would say Pentax has these binos positioned pretty nicely. 

 

I would agree. I always enjoyed my SPs and look forward to seeing how these new ED models perform.

Frank
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