Vortex Stokes Birding Series DLS Binoculars

[RJP]

Vortex is coming out with a new line of birding binoculars called the
Stokes Birding Series DLS. They will be available in both 8x42 and
10x42. Some pretty nice specs - 17-18 mm of eye relief, 4.5 foot
close focus (!), weight 26.5 oz. $900. I found out about them on
the Eagle Optics site www.eagleoptics.com.

If anybody reads any reviews on them, or much better gets a pair in
their hands, please post. Thanks.


--
Randy
(if replying by e-mail, remove SPAMFREE and DeLeTe from my address)
Current book recommendation: BLUE LIKE JAZZ

[David Rheault]

Post by RJP
Vortex is coming out with a new line of birding binoculars called the
Stokes Birding Series DLS. They will be available in both 8x42 and
10x42. Some pretty nice specs - 17-18 mm of eye relief, 4.5 foot
close focus (!), weight 26.5 oz. $900. I found out about them on
the Eagle Optics site www.eagleoptics.com.
If anybody reads any reviews on them, or much better gets a pair in
their hands, please post. Thanks.

How does the FOV look? Narrow field of view (341' @ 1,000 yards) for both
the Ranger Platinum Class and Leupold's lines have kept me away.


dcr

[Curtis Croulet]

The FOV of the Ranger Platinum Class is actually a bit better than usual in
its price range, just going by the published specs. At $379 for the 8x42, I
wouldn't reject it for inadequate FOV.

Vortex is another brand whose street address is identical to Eagle Optics,
so I would gather that it's really just another house brand. Nothing wrong
with that, but nobody should expect to see them at their local binocular
emporium. In another forum an EO representative denied to me that the EORPC
are made by Vixen (which is what I had thought), and it occurred to me that
Vixen binoculars may not be made by Vixen, either. It's my understanding
that most Japanese binoculars are sourced from a very few manufacturers who
badge them for the different brands, including famous brands like Nikon. It
would explain why the exterior parts (lens barrels, eyecups and diopter
dials) and specifications are identical for so many different "brands."

[David Rheault]

Post by RJP
Vortex is coming out with a new line of birding binoculars called the
Stokes Birding Series DLS. They will be available in both 8x42 and
10x42. Some pretty nice specs - 17-18 mm of eye relief, 4.5 foot
close focus (!), weight 26.5 oz. $900. I found out about them on
the Eagle Optics site www.eagleoptics.com.
If anybody reads any reviews on them, or much better gets a pair in
their hands, please post. Thanks.

Hmm. 383' @ 1,000 yards is excellent but the price is less than excellent
(suggested: $879). I wonder who is making them for them? Is it Vixen? For
an extra $100 you can upgrade to the Zeiss Victory II Series. No mean feat!
Where is the value for that price point?


dcr