The ‘sx’ series of binoculars are made to "milspec"
(military specification) for the U.S. Military. FUJINON
are the manufacturers, FUJINON are known for their lenses,
FUJINON make the best broadcast lenses (used for TV and
film) in the world; FUJINON have patented their own system
of coatings on the lenses.
It is the coatings that give that final ‘edge’ on the competition,
it is the coatings that make colours appear true, it is
the coatings that stop points of light appearing as star-shapes.
The ‘fmtr-sx’ series is also waterproof (meaning waterproof
for one hour at a depth of 6 meters); and are also remarkably
rugged – you should be able to drop one and it should
remain intact…though this is not a guarantee, I would never
recommend a drop-test. The letter 'R' in a model number indicates
that it is rubber armuoured.
All can be used with the rubber eyecups folded down to give
perfect vision whilst wearing spectacles. This is a feature
of nearly all binoculars these days but it is very rare that
the system actually works. The field of view (the area you
can see left-to-right and up-and-down without moving the binocular)
is EXACTLY the same with or without spectacles.
Definitely more powerful and more spectacular to use than
the 6X30 but quite heavy (1.3Kg.), no problem for the soldier
(he isn’t going to whine, "It’s too heavy…when are we
going home?") but think hard about this - 1.3Kg is, for
some people, a very heavy lump to carry on long walks. But
if this presents no problem and you really do want the best
handheld binocular at a sensible price, this is the one to
go for, it costs MUCH less than the equivalent quality Zeiss
or Leica or Swarovsky, it is the most remarkably good value
for THE most amazing handheld binocular. In fact, binocular
'purists' are divided as to which is best, the very latest
Zeiss or this Fujinon.
There was originally (and might still be available) an identical-looking
7X50, and usually a lower-power specification gives
a brighter image, but this is a very rare occasion where that
simply isn't true, the 10X50 is as good or better than the
original 7X50.
10X70 FMT-SX £680.00
(now
only available to Special Order)
If you’re going to be sitting in a hide watching wildlife
or on the roof of a tall building on a surveillance operation
and you need something as good at those listed above; if you
need to look through the binocular for long periods; if you
can mount the binocular on a tripod, then this one really
is amazing. It has the same huge eyepieces as the 6X30 and
10X50 which means that looking through one of these is more
like looking through a window that peering down a tube.
It CAN be held in the hands, but it is JUST a bit too heavy
(about 3Kg).
IS it better than the 10X50? Maybe. Possibly. I'm not sure.
When the choice was between the 7X50 and this 10X70 I would
have says, "Yes! - go for the 10X70!" but now they've
made the 10X50, I'm really not sure. That's why I don't stock
the 10X70 any more.
There is also an identical-looking16X70 but it's nowhere near as bright and crisp
as the 10X70 - when you balance the extra magnification of
the 16X70 against the overall better image of the 10X70, I'd
go for the 10X70 every time.
I'm always a little apprehensive when trying out 'the best
ever' binocular, because I have had many 'best ever' binoculars
over the years and it is very rarely that they live up to expectations.
I must admit, as an optical dealer my 'expectations' are high.
This 15X80 does not disappoint!
My first test was from from the car park of the office block,
looking at an electricity pylon about a mile away. The cheapest
binocular will make the pylon look 'big', a good binocular
will enable you to see the individual insulators clearly,
but THIS binocular really does make the insualtors (tiny as
they remain) appear crisp and sharp.
The second test was from the roof of the office block, looking
at some street lights about half a mile away.
See the photographs: To be able to see the individual
street lights (barely visible to the naked eye) and the pedestrian
crossing (not at all visible to the naked eye) and even the
lights on the crossing - all that is spectacular to anyone
who has not looked thorugh a powerful binocular before, but
look at the difference (in the photographs) between the 'standard'
15X80 and the Fujinon.
It is highly probable that this will the last of these binoculars,
for two reasons. Firstly, once this last one is sold the price
will go up (from Fujinon) dramatically, and I won't want to
stock them at the new price. Secondly, I have a very heavy
duty tripod (secondhand) for just £200.00, and I'm likely
to find another. So once the binocular and tripod are sold,
I shall discontinue them.
