Pentax PCF 16x60

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Pentax PCF 16x60
Great Binoculars. Was able to resolve detail on M13! Even saw M92 and M57 my first night out with these beauties. I purchased a new set for $130 on ebay and after owning them would value thier worth at much more! Great quality and optice. No edge problems that I could discern.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 3 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41803

Pentax PCF 16x60
I hesitated in giving these binoculars a "9"; given more choices, I would have given them a 9.5. Their only real draw back is the 2.8 degree field; most binoculars with 15 or 16x have a 3.5 to 4.5 degree true field. While this field is smaller, it is all useable, with many competitive binoculars the whole field is not useable. I had hesitated on these because of the lack of reviews. The reviews on their 20x60 brothers with field flattening lenses have all been good - perhaps a $250.00 alternative to the $1000.00 Takahashi 22x60 binoculars - but where were the reviews on the 16x60's? I felt that the lower mag., larger exit pupil and wider field as compared to the20x60's were all advantages in favor of the 16x60's. The only question being how good are the star images particularly near the field edge? In any event I was very pleased with the edge of field star images with these. While not quite as good as at the field center, the whole field is quite useable. I also found that field curvature is negligible and stars at the edge retained their focus. Comparisons were made with my Fujinon FMT-SX 16x70 and the edge of field definition of both was essentially the same. Note - the Fujinon's do have a 4 degree field (apparent - 66 degrees vs the apparent 45 degree field in the Pentax).

The Pentax are much lighter than the Fujinons and they can be hand held for brief periods. The smaller exit pupil, central focus and lighter weight will give them the advantage for daytime use where these features will either not be a problem (exit pupil) or will be advantages.

These binoculars can be obtained for less than $200.00 if you shop around. I got a factory fresh sealed pair for $177.39 delivered to my door. I believe they are a true bargain. They should prove to be particularily useful for someone who wants to do some long range observation during the day using a tripod or monopod and would like to look at the night sky at higher power. The view of the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula is great!

Barry Simon

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41804

Pentax PCF 16x60
I wanted to try these as a more portable option to the Oberwerk 15x70's and Fujinon FMT-SX 16x70's. After several days of testing I've concluded that each set has it's own advantages and weaknesses. These are far more easy to carry and handhold than the 70mm binos, but that is almost negated by the narrow FOV. The Pentax have good color rendition and clarity, but show an objectionable amount of ghosting and flare on bright objects such as Jupiter. I've not seen any false color nor any evidence of flaring on any but the very brightest nightsky objects but the views of both Jupiter and Saturn were pretty bad. Other than that, stars are pinpoints right to within 1/8" of the edge of the field. But the field is ridiculously narrow, being able to only just barely fit Orion's belt stars into the view. While they fit the hand well, the large push-pull plastic eyecups are uncomfortable. Their twilight performance was not up to game standards.

Color & Resolution= 8
Ghosting & Flare= 6
Edge Performance= 10
Contrast= 9
FOV= 3
Ergonomics=6
Value (@<$200US)= 7

Mike Swaim

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 7 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41805

Pentax PCF 16x60
s.docci- milan Italy

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41806

Pentax PCF 16x60
Thanks for your reviews above. I bought a pair as a result of reading them, as I was after something that delivered sharp star images across the entire field.
Mike Swaim's optical evaluation above is right on the mark. Star images start to degrade slightly at the extreme edge of the field - which is a much better performance than I've seen in many other high priced binoculars. However, I've seen better performance on Jupiter in quite a few other pairs of binoculars. I don't understand how a pair can be so good on stars, but so average on Jupiter.
One thing I don't like about them is that I'm forever adjusting the interpupillary distance. It must be something to do with the eye relief, but I can't seem to just pick them up and use them at the same setting as the last time.
I can hand-hold my pair of 16X60s for a few minutes of satisfying viewing, something I can't do with 20X binoculars. And because they are relatively light, they work wonderfully well with my cheap fluid-pan head tripod, which my other heavier binoculars did not( i.e. my 20X60 Russian Helios and 10X70 Nikons). This is making them a joy to use, and the narrowish field of view just hasn't been a problem.
So I'm giving them a rating of 9, because of the minor problems mentioned above. But they have exceeded my expectations, and I'm very happy with them.
Renato Alessio

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 2 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41807

Pentax PCF 16x60
I recently purchased a pair of these and I am
impressed.

I also own a pair of Fujinon 10x70 which I would
never part with. I considered getting the 16x70's
as well, but they don't have the eye relief I need
since I wear glasses to observe. In this regard the
Pentax fit the bill wonderfully - The eye relief is a
solid 20mm. These binoculars are much lighter than
the Fuji's and can actually be handheld reasonably well
for short periods, although a tripod is definitely a must
for anything but a brief glimpse.

Optically they are among the best I've ever seen for the
price. FOV does leave a little to be desired and there is
a minor amount of internal reflection, but it isn't at all
objectionable. Field is sharp to about 80-85% and color
correction is very good (a black crow viewed against a bright
early morning sky showed virtually no color fringing). Stars
are not exactly pinpoint, but focus very well overall. The light
gathering is a bit lower than some, but this is actually an
advantage if you live where there's less than pristine black
skies (how many of us are that lucky anymore?) because it cuts
skyglow.

I am very happy with my purchase.

In summary, this a fine pair of binoculars and good for both
terrestrial and astronomical use. Highly recommended!

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=102592

Pentax PCF 16x60
The Pentax PCF V 16x60 binoculars are much better than their price would suggest. Center 75% of field sharp with the outside 25% almost as good. Some flaring on Venus and bit of color on the edge of the moon if your eye isn’t in the exact right spot. Pop-up eyecups work great for eyeglass wearers. Center focus lock and click stops on right eyepieces are a nice touch and work well. Somewhat narrow FOV at 45 degrees but its all good and views are bright and clear. If your on a budget (and even if your not) and looking for a good pair of high power binoculars check these out before spending four times as much on a pair only slightly better. Shop these around as I found that prices vary about $75.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:8 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=124114

Pentax PCF 16x60
These are great binos! I have been able to pull in the crab nebula M1, M27, M57, M13, M92, M31, etc.... I can hold steady for a couple minutes, then get a little shaky. Now have a monopod stand and what a difference! This binos are keepers.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=129185

Pentax PCF 16x60
I own a pair of 20 x 80 chinese triplets,
the pentax pcf wp 16 x 60 shows as much detail for there size. I have got use to the narrow FOV 2.8. They are very light, I wish Pentax made a 70 - 80mm version.I am thinking of buying the 20 x 60 version.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=398252

Pentax PCF 16x60
Had these out briefly in the daytime. Very sharp optics from edge to edge. Narrow FOV hasn't been bothersome yet. Need to take them out under the stars for a full evaluation. I'll be doing that this week.

-Markus

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=580199

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