Zhumell 7x50mm Marine Binoculars with Compass and Reticle

VG optics & build, some minor irritants.

I'll start off with the negatives:

The Instruction Manual was translated very poorly and stinks! You need to be able to look at these binoculars and figure out how to use them int...Read complete review

I'll start off with the negatives:

The Instruction Manual was translated very poorly and stinks! You need to be able to look at these binoculars and figure out how to use them intuitively. Not that there's a lot to figure out(unless you are trying to determining the distance and height of some object, then the manual has all the equations you'll want and need) but for basic use and functionality, the manual is severely lacking.

The dust covers for the objective lenses do not stay firmly attached once in place. They fall off occasionally and it's usually while you're walking with them around you neck. Fortunately they are attached to the binoculars. I've had two of these binos to critique and both exhibit the same quirky lense cap fit. If you have small hands, these binos may be too bulky or heavy. My hand span from thumb to pinky finger is 11 inches. A perfect fit for my jumbo hand size.

Now the positives.

These binoculars are an impressive and robust build. I would place them just at or below a comparable pair of Steiner Mariner binos. Each eyepiece has to be focused individually which seems annoying at first, especially if your use to a focusing knob or lever but the quality of the optics and clarity of focus forgives that minor annoyance.

The collimation was right on, which is a non-existant with all low end binos and hit and miss with most mid-priced binoculars. Regarding the collimation. Check it by focusing on a bright star like Sirius or planet like Venus. When I first focused the right eyepiece and then the left eye piece on a star. I would then move the binoculars away from my eyes, then put them back up to my eyes and look at the same star I just focused on. "TWO" stars appear briefly (about two to three seconds), then the two stars merge and become one. Originally I thought the colimation was off. However, I believe it's just a matter of allowing one's eyes to acclimate to the magnified view. I was able to repeat this phenomonon every time I viewed a star. Once your eyes acclimate, the image is crisp and clear.

As for the reticle, its useful if you're trying to determine distance and height of some observed object, otherwise it's just there. The lighted compass is ok. That's what that black box is atop the right side body of the binoculars. They could have done without it but it's no biggie either way. May come in handy if you're without a compass or GPS.

These binos are nitrogen gas filled. Air tight baby! Water and moisture proof hence, the MARINE aspect to the name. It's nice to own a pair of binoculars that didn't cost you a small fortune but perform like they did!