PENTAX VD 4x20 WP Binocular, Monoculars & Spotting Scope - Unboxing & First Impressions

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Note: The Full Review of the Pentax VD 4x20 WP is now live on BBR: www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Pentax-VD-4x20-WP-Binoculars-Monoculars-Review-278.htm

[@patricj951]

Thanks for the review of this very interesting instrument! I think this can be a very useful binocular for low light conditions(with same image brightness as 8x40 and 10x50) and when you really want a stable image. The 10 deg true field of view should make it useful for, for example sky views of constellations. I read the stated eye relief is 19mm. That can be true despite a small eye lens, because with only 40 deg apparant field of view the lens does not need to be large. Another advantage with only 4x is a long depth of field. With the tubes in line the 16x magnification with only 1,25mm should be good for watching the moon, and also Jupiter's moons. On bright objects like moons low brightness combined with high magnification is an advantage. Apart from that I wonder about the image sharpness to the edges. Did you notice how it was? If the eye relief and edge sharpness are satisfying I think I will definitely get this instrument!

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi Patric, Thanks for the comments and good insights. Yes, I will certainly include more details of the image in my full review, but on my initial looks through them, I have to say I was impressed.

[@spamcan9208]

I was wondering how these would handle constellations. I like the wide field of view my cheap cometron 7x50 have but they're heavy and I can never get sharp stars. If this can help me when searching with my telescope that would be great.

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

Haven't bought any optics for a year or so & fortunately or otherwise I got the itch and have been looking through lists for a bit (had been eyeing up a Zeiss Victory 8/10x25 but definitely pricey) and today I discover this and chose it as the one to order and try as I have lots of other bins for normal 8/10 etc viewing. I'm a bit worried about how I will feel about the 40deg AFOV and individual focus but will see and hoping it is desirable in other attributes enough to make it a keeper. I do have some 4x12 monoculars that I don't really use except for reading small labels in the kitchen or working on something small. Prefer the 6x16 and 8x20 monoculars that I also have but I think once upon a time I did wonder about how it would be to have 2 of these small monoculars joined and now I can find out. I currently have an 8x20 bin for compact use and hopefully I will prefer this 4x20 to perhaps replace that (I'm looking forward to the large 5mm exit pupil) though again the 8x20 does fold very small. I hate returns so hope I have made a good guess in ordering this 4x20 to try as at least I have some idea of what to expect. It's an interesting one but the 40deg could be the deal breaker if it feels to keyhole like to look through? I have 7x20 bins (Carson Falconer, my Papilio 6.6x21 though very good tends to get left at home) with an 8deg field and though not without distortion they are a bin I tend to use a lot for a small carry but with a feeling of a view from a larger binocular. You should review them if not already & even the Carson Mantaray 8x24 I was A-B ing with my 10x30 Monarch 7 and a good 8x42 and the Manta Ray had the least fringing and so best edge contrast view at a fraction of the price, though build is mostly plastic but the optics are impressive and it's also light and pretty compact and very comfortable to hold. Should know about the 4x20 in a day or two.

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi thanks for the comments and feedback - I will be interested to see how you feel about them - I have to say i really enjoyed testing them an last weekend I went on a long hike with my family and these were the pair I took - easy to carry and share with my daughter. Love them

[@geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz]

@@Bestbinocularsreviews been using them for over a year now. Love to just take them with me on a walk or even just take one half as a monocular which works very nicely. I've since bought and kept a Zeiss 8x25 Victory and a Leica 8x20 BL Ultravid and sent back Trinovid & Terras and a few others and I have to say this little Pentax 4x20 is definitely one of my favourite compacts as it's just so relaxing viewing with the large 5mm exit pupil and 19mm eye relief. Of course they are low magnification so still good to have other 8x compacts if needed but definitely, like yourself, I love these little Pentax 4 x20 also. I did try the scope on a full size tripod and found it interesting or sort of fun to play around with but it's really just to dull and on the limit of being practically of no use but still worth a try if you have a tripod and there is enough light I suppose?

[@spamcan9208]

I'm probably looking for the impossible. These are very tempting to get because I like the size and the wide viewing angle that I'm hoping will pair well with my telescope for star hopping and just to look at the bright stars/constellations. My 7x50 are too heavy. At the same time I want to watch planes overhead. The 16x should work magnification wise but that's using one eye and a small FOV. Like I said, I think I'm looking for the impossible lol.

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi, yes you are right, with optics there is always a compromise to be made somewhere and there really is not a single binocular that can do everything ... thats why you need more than one or so that is what I tell my better half. ;-)

[@marekgrote81]

Being a individual focus binocular, will it work as a fixed focus binocular once I have adjusted the diopter? Or do I always have to focus both "monoculars" to observe objects at different distances?

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi Marek - yes, it is essentially the same as what is often marketed as a fixed focus / auto focus / focus free / Individual Focus binocular www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/self_focusing_binoculars.php - So as normal with this type of focus system, you will need to adjust focus rings more often at close range, but from my experience in using them, once you get to about 5 meters, everything then remains in focus out to infinity and so no further adjustments are required.

[@marekgrote81]

@@Bestbinocularsreviews Thanks, i just bought them, i am primarily a photographer so I needed something light compact and focus- free to spot birds, and not necessarily observe them up close

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi Marek, that is great and yes, for your desired use, I think these will be ideal - pleas do drop by and update us with some feedback once you have had a chance to use them.

[@at9793]

Does Vanguard Vesta Series binoculars are good as per performance vise.

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Hi AT - I am not sure as I have not yet come across them myself - to check, this is the method how I compare their features and stats against others: www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/blog/which-binoculars-to-choose-08/

[@at9793]

@@Bestbinocularsreviews does K9 prisms binoculars are good.please guide

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

I am not sure - I have not come across them.

[@vinaynagdev03]

Is this made in japan?

[@Bestbinocularsreviews]

Firstly sorry for the delayed reply, I have been away - and I have just checked the photos on my review and no, like almost everything they are made in China: www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/images/binoculars/Pentax/Pentax-VD-4x20-Binocular-Monoculars-Scope-Focus-Large.jpg