Vixen New Foresta 8x32 Binocular 14511

Vixen New Foresta 8x32 Binocular Review

The mid-size binocular field is a big, confusing, and seemingly overloaded subcategory of optics, with dozens of manufacturers offering hundreds of models.  With the avaialble selection, it is tough to nail down exactly where your money is best spent. Spoiler alert: The Vixen New Foresta 8x32 is at the top of our list.

The Vixen New Foresta 8x32 binocular is an improvement on the original Foresta series.  They maintain full waterproofing and nitrogen purging, as well as fully multi-coated optics.  The open bridge design is less like the other Chinese clones we've seen lately such as the Celestron Nature DX or Trailseeker, and is more like the style found on the Minox BL 8x33 binoculars.  As a matter of preference, this is a good thing, since the consensus in-house is that the BL series had some of the best ergonomics out of all the open bridge designs tested.  Of course, this is all subjective.  With a finger on the center focus, middle and pinky on the bridges, and ring finger gripping the body, one-handed operation is very easy.  Bringing the binoculars to the eye seems almost completely natural.  They honestly feel like a near-perfect fit.

On our scale, the weight came in at 19.5 ounces.  Some people may take issue with the fact that the New Foresta 8x32 is over a full pound, but the extra few ounces aren't really noticable.  However, the heft does give a subtle nod to the build quality.  The center hinge on the body isn't tight, nor is it loose, but does provide adequate resistance and maintains its position (and proper interpupillary distance) during one-handed operation.  The focusing knob gives the same feel, not tight, but not necessarily loose.  One finger focus adjustment is smooth, precise, and full focusing range covers about one and one-quarter revolutions of the knob.  

Speaking of the focus knob, one of the first things I noticed about the Vixen New Foresta 8x32 binocular is the total lack of diopter adjustment on the right barrel of the binocular.  You sort of just expect it to be there after handling dozens of binocular models with traditional diopter rings.  Instead, the New Foresta 8x32 utilizes a push-pull lock on the focusing knob to adjust the diopter.  To set these binoculars properly, adjust the focus on the left eye.  When focused, pull out on the focusing knob.  This is diopter adjustment mode, and you can tell because the feedback from the focusing knob goes from that "not loose, not tight" feeling to clear clicks.  Once the right eye diopter adjustment is set, push back in and you're good to go.  We're not sure what kind of effect this system will have on possible diopter drift (if any), but it's growing on us.  The only issue this may present is in situations where the binoculars are being handed back and forth between two people with different diopter settings, at which point this system can become cumbersome in comparison.  

The twist-up eyecups on the New Foresta 8x32 are four position cups, another simliarity with the Minox BL 8x33.  The first, second, and third positions on these cups are tight, but the fourth position (full extension) puts the cups at the end of their range, where there's about 1/8 inch of loose rotation.  This doesn't affect the depth of the cup adjustment, and therefore should not affect eye relief.  However, the unit we received to write this review appears to be used, so that may factor into this as well.  This is the only issue (if you can really call it that) with build quality weve seen so far on the New Foresta 8x32, so it's not assumed to be widespread.

Optically, the New Foresta 8x32 is a stunner.  We looked through the binoculars before we really knew what we were dealing with, and we quickly ended up double-checking the price to make sure we didn't make a mistake.  The New Foresta series utilizes BaK-4 prisms with HD dielectric coatings.  Note that they are not termed HD binoculars, despite this.

We had to go out of our way to notice the slightest hint of rolling ball, but only after it was brought up - we didn't notice it at all initially.

The wide field of view is excellent at a full 8 degrees.  As far as 8x32s go for Chinese manufacturing under $300, this is some of the best glass we've seen.  It honestly knocks the other Chinese manufactured glass away.  The edge to edge clarity and sharpness is great, and covers about 90% of the view to the edge (for our eyes).  Depth of field is very good, and the center focus adjustment is smooth enough that it's nearly impossible to overshoot the target.  The field of view adds a lot to the experience, but that last 10% of the edge view gets slightly darker.  

We've used this pair on and off in varying environmental conditions, including very low light, and found that the clarity and sharpness stay true even when there's little light available.  Light transmission is what we would deem "excellent."  Color seems to be very true to life, but we think it trends slightly towards a cooler end of the spectrum, if anything.  Chromatic aberration is very, very well controlled and only slightly noticable in the right conditions.  

Decision time!  Here's our recommendation:

If you're looking for an 8x32 binocular, and your budget is around $250, increase your budget and get the Vixen New Foresta 8x32 binocular.  There's just too much performance in this package for under $300, and when you compare it to other 8x32 offerings in the low-to-mid $200 range, it's a performance-per-dollar advantage that we think is worth it.  Rather than compare this 8x32 to others around this price, we're comfortable comparing them to something between $300 and $400, even the Minox BL 8x33 (which is in the mid $400s currently).    

Combine our recommendation with Vixen's lifetime transferrable replacement warranty, and you really can't go wrong.

Vixen Sport Optics 2013 Brochure

The Vixen New Foresta is a professional class binocular that competes with some of the biggest names in precision binoculars, at a price that puts the competition to shame.  Fully multi-coated lenses, waterproof and fogproof bodies, and a crisp, clear image under even the lowest of light situations makes the Vixen New Foresta the perfect outdoor companion for the discriminating hunter or nature observer.  Includes attached lens covers and rain guard.

All Vixen New Foresta binoculars are protected by Vixen's Lifetime Replacement Warranty, which protects your investment for the life of the product.