As a serious birder, I typically use my Swarovski 12 x 50’s when birding – with one exception – on my morning walks in my local cemetery. The goal there is more to walk than to bird and those 12 x 50’s are heavy, so…. But I still bird on my walks (hate to waste the opportunity to get some data!) so have always used minis for this.
The Wingspans were to replace a pair of Eagle Optics minis that I lost and could not replace after Eagle Optics went out of business. That was a lucky break in a way (as much as I miss that company) because it led me to do some research. Unable to find any recent reviews of mini binoculars from a trusted source, I asked a good pal at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology if he had any recommendations for minis. He recommended the Wingspans.
After using mine for over 3 months now, I cannot recommend them highly enough. They really deserve a 6 stars given the price, which is at least $20 cheaper than the Eagle Optics pairs I’d purchased a decade ago and so much sharper and clearer than any of those several pair I had experience with. That they come with a lifetime guarantee and a 30-day money-back guarantee sure doesn’t hurt.
That’s really it – the main thing. They provide a very sharp and clear image – which is why you buy a pair of binoculars! That you can get this at $65 is kind of remarkable. Of course they cannot compare to my Swarovskis – but those cost $3K! They’re not THAT far off, though, especially in good lighting conditions and for birds within 50-100 yards (or closer). In short, the diopter system works very well – if you use it and optimize the focus across both eyes (which are, of course, not quite equal for most of us), the sharpness of focus will be consistently sharp across the entire focal range – from close-up to very distant.
That is the most important part for me. Part of that sense, though, I am sure has to do with their wider field-of-view (FOV) than the minis I have had in the past – typically 8 x 26. The Wingspans are 8 x 32, same FOV as all the full-size binoculars I’d owned until getting my Swarovski 12 x 50s. That extra visual space makes a big difference for any birder, especially those just beginning.
In addition, they are lightweight, of course, and the included strap allows me to loop them around my neck and a shoulder so that they do not flop as I walk.
I have also been quite impressed with the company’s customer service. My first pair had two issues – first, the strap broke at the point where it attaches to the bins themselves after 2.5 months of fairly heavy use (3 mile walk each day). They got sweated on a lot and that may have had a lot to do with it. Still, I thought it should have lasted longer. I contacted the company to say so; they quickly responded to say that they would send out a new strap. My original message to them also described the fact that the pair I had didn’t hold its focus across the range of distances I used them for and did they do free adjustments during the warranty period (which, at the time, I did not know was lifetime!). When they responded about the strap, I replied to thank them but to also reiterate that I was still curious about the diopter issue and they then said they would simply replace the binoculars instead of replacing the strap. And they did exactly that. I had the new pair just days later. And, as I said, they are perfect. Apparently, I’d gotten a sub-optimal pair – which they did not ask me to return, either, so I can still use them around the house.
One important caveat to anyone relatively new to binocular users: see the paragraph above if you somehow skipped over it. It is important to check the accuracy of the diopter across the entire visual range to make sure the pair you have is in good internal adjustment.
Second, I would replace the strap. I purchased straps from Amazon that have elasticized loops that fit through the fittings on the binocular sides that have a clip-insert system (OP/TECH USA Super Classic Strap) that I have been pretty happy with, though I’ve only had them on for a week or two so far. They elastic loop should eliminate the wear problem I described above and the strap is considerably more comfortable on the neck. They are $20 – but worth it, and recall that you are probably saving that amount by purchasing these binoculars in the first place.
Third, I am not completely thrilled by the eye cups. They eye cups are described as ‘locking’ but they are not in my experience. They have performed the same on both pairs that I have used.
These are minor issues, of course, and I have since bought 3 more pair to give away as gifts! I’m voting with my wallet here, folks!
PS: I have NOT tested the claim that these guys are waterproof – not sure I want to, but I am curious, that’s for sure.
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