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Good Glass?

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Minuteman
Oct 3, 2019
20
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I hear a lot about a scope or binoculars having good glass. Can you tell me what good glass really means. Edge to edge clarity, does lower end glass get fuzzy on the edges. What is the real difference in $1500 vs $3000 binoculars or spotting scopes. Thanks
 
To me the best description is....if you wear eyeglasses...and you have some poly-carbonate lenses...and you are like 'YEA, I can see better'...but when you get some really good old fashion glass lenses...you are like, 'Wow...these are much better to see with'.... just ignore the part about shattering and having shards of glass in your eyes....just talking about visual quality here.
 
People talk about coatings and lens/prism materials because they are somewhat measurable. Optical design is a part of it, too, but not so objectively measurable without tools like interferometers. QA and QC are also relevant to the end product.

So just like anything, the quality of the components, design, and construction all play a part. The real difference is just a higher level of quality in each that you may not be able to quantify.

If you want to (or can) investigate an answer for yourself, you'll just have to go look through them.


If you want to research some before doing so, study the best versions of either binos or spotters you can and apply that experience to what you're willing to afford. Though possibly dangerous for your wallet, it will help you know what you're getting out of your investment, or where you're willing to compromise.

Just like any optic, remember to try to experience the whole thing - edges, resolution, eye strain, color, ease of focus, etc. The better ones will just be easier to get behind and stay behind.
 
I do t know what all the exact terminology that makes one better than the other. But if you were to look through a set of swarovski EL binos then with a set of razors you will see the EL blows them out of the water. The depth. The clarity. The ability to focus at 300 yards but still see clearly to 1500 yards. It’s on another level. The Leica geovids are also like this. Those two for me are what I compare everything else to and now it has ruined me. Hahaha.


Shooting at a match I seen a plate at 500 yards or so. Round plate, looking though razor HD 15 power binos. Then looked through the Swarovski EL and I could tell that the plate had actually indented from the impacts. It wasn’t a flat plate anymore. I could see definition of the grass. Could actually see the wind blowing each blade. Now the razor HD is still good glass. It’s just not on the same level.
 
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