Ever heard of Carson binoculars? Probably not a household name in the hunting community. Yet. I tried out a pair of their 10X42HD models on the opening weekend of muzzleloader season. I was impressed. The retail price impressed me, too.
The full-size 8X42HD and 10X42HD feature Carson's new HD optical coating technology. I don't know what that is. I'm not a techie, but it sure does enhance the light transmission for greater brightness, contrast and clarity. These are clear, bright glasses in low light conditions and at a price you would not expect. Expect a retail price of about $350. They are worth it. The Carson 8X42HD binocular is not nearly as heavy as it looks and is star-bright in low light conditions.
Rich Cameron, Carson president and CEA told me, "Early on we knew we had a special binocular. However we wanted to see how it stacked up against the competition. In independent lab performance testing-scientifically designed and geared to measure light transmission through binoculars, the XM-HD 8X42 was put up against other, higher priced 8X42 units from Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, Pentax and Steiner. The XM-HDs tested at 84.7% light transmission."
I don't know what that means exactly but Cameron told me, "Against other models, the XM-HD tested best in a quality/value comparison. In other words, they are a proven winner."
I looked through them at enough deer from just daylight until bright sunlight to agree.
They are a winner.
John Sloan
Lebanon, TN
Newspaper Editor, Magazine Writer, Book Author
I'm an outdoor and travel writer. In the field or on the water, I need equipment that is lightweight, reliable and easy to use. Trying to glimpse an animal on the move requires binoculars with quick response, good depth of field and good light gathering capability; all features I discovered in Carson's XM-HD 10 x 42 Performance Series Binoculars.
The biggest and bulkiest pieces of equipment I carry though are the tripods for photographing subjects for my articles. I needed one for standard stock photography and one for use when traveling through the woods or sitting in a canoe.
My "odd couple" as I call them are the Carson TP-400, The Rock Professional tripod and the TP-100, The Rock Junior tripod. The light weight, full size TP-400 does everything but make the morning coffee. Its quick-release legs, leveler gages, quick-release shoe, 360 degree pan head, geared elevator and other assorted features make it a joy to use. The little guy, whom I refer to as "Little Me," does almost as much as its big brother and easily fits into a day pack.
Traveling light is an art.
Warren Resen
Green Acres, FL
Magazine and Newspaper Writer also Outdoor Radio Host
I've been hauling bins around my neck and around the world professionally for 45 years running the gamut from "Binolux" to Leica Ultravid. As Curator of Hawk Mountain Sanctuaryfor 25 years it was 'correct' to be using the glass that had considerable respect amongst hawk watchers. There were the glory days when reps of high-end glasses provided senior staff with the right binocular to be using on the North Lookout.
Concurrent with the Hawk Mountain Days was travel throughout the world not being overly concerned about brands and looks. It was about weight, sealed bodies and clarity of optics. In my yearly trips to Africa .. over one hundred since 1980 .. I looked for a glass that could withstand the dust and the jarring. If they fouled up an extra pair took care of the anguish.
Early on those were products from Swift and Bausch & Lomb. Later Eagle Optics came along and then Brunton.
Colleagues of mine sent me a pair of Carson XM 8x42 glasses in winter of 2006 just before I was to leave on a 6-week trip to Tanzania.
The Carson's passed with flying colors. Excellent light gathering, Contrast sharp, and color very good. The weight was easy to have hanging for an all day safari and the balance and feel perfect. What I am going to do when I return to Tanzania in a couple of months is take along a half dozen Carson 8X42 XMs. My guide staff are the best in the country and they are always using glasses of low quality and subject to being knocked out of line easily. This will offer the manufacturer field testing beyond comparison and when I return in April I'll be in touch with the Carson folks. I'll have mine along regardless. And Carson's stellar warranty is the maybe the best on the market. For a ten dollar bill and change the warranty covers repair or replacement regardless of the reason.
Jim Brett
Kempton, FL
Founder and President of Treks - A Naturecorp Group, Former Curator Hawk Mountain,
Former Advisor to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge on Conservation and Sportsmen Issues
