Astronomy Binoculars

Pentax® 8x40 PCF WP II Astronomy Binocular 65807

The most compact binocular in Pentax's quality PCF WP II lineup. The 8x40 is the smallest binocular that still shows pleasing detail on astronomical objects. The Pentax 8x40 PCF WP II is an excellent example of the advantages of this size.

The PCF WP II series feature excellent optics is designed with a slightly different perspective than most of the other binoculars we carry -- the designers chose to accept relatively narrow fields of view to acheive maximum edge correction. These optics are as close to "sharp edge-to-edge" as you're going to get in a conventional binocular. This feature has made them particularly popular with amateur astronomers, who value edge sharpness more than terrestrial observers. Build quality is excellent, with sturdy diecast-aluminum construction that is dry nitrogen purged and designed to be JIS Class 6 waterproof (waterproof to one meter). The 8x40 also features long, 20mm eye relief, making it a great choice for eyeglass wearers. A nice feature for astronomy is the mechanical focus lock that allows a user to lock in focus at a specific distance. Sturdy twist-up eyecups and a click-stop right diopter adjustment provide the finishing touches to an excellent design. If you're willing to accept the slightly narrower field of view (6.3° in the 8x model), the Pentax PCF WP II series may very well be your best bet in this price range. Covered by the Pentax Worry Free (Limited Lifetime) Warranty.