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Review on πŸ” Pentax Papilio II 6.5x21 Gray Binoculars: Enhanced for SEO by Shane Miller

Revainrating 4 out of 5

The king of "bug binoculars " and a very nice compact model in general

They very much are nice compact. They're not as difficult to use as others I've tried. The problem I have with compact cameras is that eyepiece lenses are always small and have a very narrow beam and these eyepieces need to be placed and held directly over the center of the eye. It's almost impossible for me to use more powerful compact cameras like the 8x21 and 10x21 models because that cone of light is still narrower. 6.5x Papilios is slightly brighter and easier on the eye. Don't worry if you hesitate because of a lower magnification. The 6.5x magnification is quite decent and feels better in hand, especially compared to the 10x models. I doubt you'll see much of a difference between 6.5x and 7x. Their claim to fame is that papilios focus very closely, which is essential for spotting butterflies and insects, but also handy for bird watching. Take this from someone who has bird watched in the past with old venerable Leitz Trinovid 10x40 models. These binoculars had a "close" focus of about 25 feet and can be an obstacle when catching birds in dense forests. The ancient Trinovids were excellent for open spaces, but too claustrophobic in tight spaces. In my opinion, the optical quality of the Papilios is simply outstanding. They are clear, with good contrast and pleasant color reproduction. These binoculars are light, maybe too light. They all appear to be made out of plastic with a rubberized gripping surface for a comfortable grip. These are small binoculars, which means there aren't a lot of places to put your fingers. Those with large hands may find them difficult to manipulate until they get used to this small size. I was a bit surprised how free they are. The focus knob and case hinge are pretty loose and too easy to adjust in my opinion. I wish these controls were tighter so you can't accidentally change the settings. The eye relief is just right for me as a glasses wearer, but there is no extra eye relief. All in all a good pair of binoculars but I don't want them to be my only pair of binoculars. They are not suitable for low light and are unlikely to cope with the effects of most binoculars in normal use. For these purposes you really need a standard size pair of binoculars at your chosen magnification, be it a porro prism or a roof prism. Papilios are good for travel, to keep in your car, or to back up your essential binoculars. As a compact, I find it very good.

Pros
  • Unique Pentax technology: The Pentax Papillion II not only offers long-distance vision, but also a new viewing experience with the original 50 cm macro
Cons
  • Ugly packaging