Nikon Sportstar EX 10x25DCF

Product Information

There are many excellent full-sized porro-prism binoculars that adjust for very small interpupillary distances. My favorites are the Nikon 8x30 EII and the Nikon 8x32 Superior E. The rugged design of the Nikon Sportstar EX 10×25 is crafted to endure various environmental challenges, including exposure to dust, dirt, and adverse weather conditions. As previously noted, these binoculars fear no water, maintaining their optimal condition even after being immersed in water (up to 2 meters) for a duration of up to 5 minutes. For enthusiasts of water sports, the waterproof feature of the Sportstar EX 10×25 makes it an ideal and reliable choice. Bottom line is. These are great compacts at a great price, not to mention that they are roof prisms which are more difficult(expensive) to produce. That is assuming one doesnt wear glasses...Ill have to note that in further recommendations. Waterproof (up to 2 m for 5 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas for added resistance to the elements. These all-weather binoculars can also be used on a daily basis, both indoors and outdoors. Besides its anti-fog, compact and lightweight design, the Nikon Sportstar EX has a folding function. This makes it easy to store and take them with you whether you are going to a picnic, a hike or a show.

Lucznik....you are right on. Obviously you know your stuff. I totally discounted eye releif as it is not a deal breaker with me as I dont wear glasses. This would increase the value of the Sportstars on "your" matrix. I am particularly fond of wide fov's aparent and true. This would also bring up the score. Devalue the waterproofness issue and phase coatings (non phase coated roofs can outperform phase coated due to other factors) and you can easily reach 90% maybe even 100% or as far fetched as it sounds 110%, depending on the individuals personal preferences. But quibbling over numbers in a matrix is not what Im about.

Nikon 10x25 Sportstar EX Binoculars in Black

The Nikon has.... Less waterproofing. Not nitrogen purged. And lessor hand feel. They are not as tough as the Bruntons...obviously. The Nikon is lighter at 10oz. And has a ridiculously low minimum IPD, due to its double hinge design, which also contributes to the Nikons being less rugged. Nikon also has twist up eyecups for those who bother with that at such tight eye relief. Nikons coatings beat the Bruntons hands down, leading to better brightness and contrast. Optically the Nikon is noticably better(probably due in large part to those nasty looking Emerald Fire coatings on the Bruntons objectives), which counts high on everyones list. They also beat the Bruntons for compactness, especially when folded for storage. In summary, the Nikon Sportstar EX 10×25 could be a good option for those looking for comfortable, waterproof, and durable binoculars suitable for water sports, as well as everyday indoor and outdoor activities. With its premium performance, stability, and commendable magnification, it earns an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. The versatility of this model makes it a well-rounded choice for a range of observational needs. In 2/3 and full-sized roofs of top quality, the only company which breaks the 56 mm barrier is Zeiss. The Conquest models go down to 54 mm, as do the full-sized FL models. The 2/3 sized FL models go down to 52 mm! I'm not sure that there are any other options in this category, at any price level, that can beat the Zeiss FL models w/regard to minimum IPD specs. Bushnell Custom 7x26 - 7.92 (while optically fantastic, it takes hits for low magnification, poor twilight factor, and no waterproofing.) If you wear glasses, the turn and slide rubber eyecups can be adjusted to accommodate the specs without limiting your vision. Ultimate Comfort

At my first look-through I instantly remembered why I wasn't impressed before. Eye relief is just terrible, only 10mm. So although the FOV is (on paper) impressive at 429 ft., there was just no way I am going to ever get even close to seeing all the way to the edges with my glasses. This by itself, would be a deal breaker for me and I just can't understand what Nikon is thinking. Among the binoculars with which I am familiar, this is the one with the second lowest eye relief (the worst is the compact WindRiver Mesa with only 9mm!) The Sportstar took hits for its eye relief, for being only "weather resistant," and for not having phase correction coatings, all of which are very important to me. Overall it scores a 6.17. Waterproof (up to 2 m for 5 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas for added resistance to the elements It has 10x magnification, making your subjects appear 10 times closer. If you do a lot of long-distance viewing and want to see more detail from farther away, the Sportstar EX 10×25 is a good choice. This device has a wide field of view that lets you see more of the area surrounding the observed subjects. This is particularly interesting for observing several subjects at the same time or fast-moving objects.Slim and stylish design: extremely compact and lightweight thanks to their twin-hinged, foldable design However, one potential limitation of this model is its reduced low-light performance, attributed to the smaller objective lens size of 25mm. Smaller objective lenses capture less light, which can impact image brightness, particularly in low-light conditions. The Verdict Besides their waterproof and robust construction, these binoculars have technical specifications that contribute to a highly satisfying viewing experience. Continue reading this test/review to delve deeper into the features and performance of the Nikon Sportstar EX 10×25. Image: Nikon Sportstar EX 10×25 Binoculars First let me emphasize (just in case I haven't been clear before) that my little comparison matrix is highly subjective. It takes away points for things I don't like (e.g. low eye relief) and gives points for having things I like (e.g. the "right" magnification - 10x) etc. Noone but me could really use it effectively as it only represents my personal preferences. It has however, been immensely helpful to me in making comparisons. Also, have you looked through the Nikon Sportstar III 10x25s. I havent. What was your impression if you did? If you havent then could you speculate on their matrix value and whatnot?