In praise of 6x binos

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   It always puzzled me a little that 6x30 was such a popular size back in WWII, with all the major powers equipping their infantry with such glass.  Last month at the gun show I found a pristine pair of 40 year-old Japanese-manufacture 6x30 binos w/case for $25, esssentially screw for screw replicas of the WWII Ziess center-focus originals.
I never would have considered 6x before and wasn't expecting much but have been pleasantly surprised.  I go afield many times a month and use binos a LOT when I do.  I compared these 6x side by side with my own 7 and 8x, and a friend's 10x.  Turns out there ain't much you can see with higher powers that you can't with 6x, albeit smaller.  
What 6x does do though is provide exceptional depth of field and a steadier-appearing image relative to a similar glass in 8 or 10x.  The steady image of 6x also lends itself handily to glassing with one hand while carrying a rifle or cup of coffee in the other.   Since hand trembles are magnified less, you can also look longer and more carefully with less fatigue. Being only 6 power, a 6x30 is inherently as bright as an equivalent 7x35 or 8x40, mine work surprisingly well in very low light.
I am aware of only one manufacturer that presently offers a 6x glass; www.eagleoptics.com has a house-brand roof-prism offering in 6x32 that weighs in at 18 ounces and less than 5" square for $350.  I never understood why they would offer something like that before, now I'm thinking that 6x might actually be the ideal power for compact binos.
Hmm... turns out that those early 20th Century guys who gave us such gems as Enfields, 1911's and Mausers also knew their stuff when it came to glass.  Seems like binos ain't as much issued/used in today's military as they were back then, but a handy little pair of 6x30's must have been useful to have around.
Birdwatcher

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Birdwatcher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 21 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 137	Topic: In praise of 6x binos Posted: 27 September 2003 at 08:03
	It always puzzled me a little that 6x30 was such a popular size back in WWII, with all the major powers equipping their infantry with such glass. Last month at the gun show I found a pristine pair of 40 year-old Japanese-manufacture 6x30 binos w/case for $25, esssentially screw for screw replicas of the WWII Ziess center-focus originals. I never would have considered 6x before and wasn't expecting much but have been pleasantly surprised. I go afield many times a month and use binos a LOT when I do. I compared these 6x side by side with my own 7 and 8x, and a friend's 10x. Turns out there ain't much you can see with higher powers that you can't with 6x, albeit smaller. What 6x does do though is provide exceptional depth of field and a steadier-appearing image relative to a similar glass in 8 or 10x. The steady image of 6x also lends itself handily to glassing with one hand while carrying a rifle or cup of coffee in the other. Since hand trembles are magnified less, you can also look longer and more carefully with less fatigue. Being only 6 power, a 6x30 is inherently as bright as an equivalent 7x35 or 8x40, mine work surprisingly well in very low light. I am aware of only one manufacturer that presently offers a 6x glass; www.eagleoptics.com has a house-brand roof-prism offering in 6x32 that weighs in at 18 ounces and less than 5" square for $350. I never understood why they would offer something like that before, now I'm thinking that 6x might actually be the ideal power for compact binos. Hmm... turns out that those early 20th Century guys who gave us such gems as Enfields, 1911's and Mausers also knew their stuff when it came to glass. Seems like binos ain't as much issued/used in today's military as they were back then, but a handy little pair of 6x30's must have been useful to have around. Birdwatcher
	"Those without swords can still die upon them."

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Posted: 02 October 2003 at 01:53
	Birdwatcher, Nothing wrong with the 6x30. I believe the lower the power the easier it is to manufacture a quality lens, so I think that was the military reason for the 6x. I have a pair of B&L 8x30 marked "US Govt." that are from WW2. A friend brought them home from the war. They have complex range markings and I think they were made for artillery use. I have a pair of 10-year-old B&L in 8x. It is interesting to compare the two glasses. The WW2 has individual focus and hand ground lens (made in USA). The newer B&L 8x have Japanese computer ground glass. There is really no comparison; 50 years of lens technology really makes a difference. My eyesight is getting worse fast, so it is not uncommon for me to hold glasses up for hours at a time. I found that I get less fatigue from wide view glasses regardless of the power. I prefer 8x as it gives me some magnification, and the B&Ls have the widest FOV I could find. I have spend days glassing for grizzly bears in Alaska on tundra were spotting range is measured in miles. Once laid on a rock and alternated between the B&L, Leica, and Swarovski. The B&L had the widest field of these 8x and I found them the best for me. BEAR

Birdwatcher Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 21 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 137	Posted: 04 October 2003 at 09:36
	BEAR... I have a pair of old 60's era "Sears" 7x50's, essentially Japanese-made all-aluminum center-focus replicas of WWII US Navy mark 28's except with center focus and larger 25mm eyepieces. This particular model had a pretty good reputation with amateur astronomers in it's day. Compared to everything else I own, looking through them is about like looking at a big-screen movie. They sure are big to carry around though. Oh heck, I feel an impending purchase of those Eagle Optics 6x32's coming on Birdwatcher
	"Those without swords can still die upon them."

Spot shooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Left BSB in Disgrace Banned Joined: 19 June 2003 Location: Bahrain Status: Offline Points: 0	Posted: 04 October 2003 at 10:38
	Birdwatcher, I've got a pair of 8x32's B&L Legend's - got a deal on 'em. I like them near as much as my 8x42's Lieca's. Man, I need to stop collecting equipment and get to huntin. Next thing ya know I'll be gettin a tight neck gun worked up. Spot