Kowa BD25 8x25 Compact Binocular, Green

8x Magnification and a 6.3° Field of View

The 8x magnification suits handheld use, since lower magnification shows less hand shake, and the 25mm objective lenses gather ample light for daytime viewing. The expansive 6.3° field of view, equivalent to 110 meters at 1,000 meters, makes it easier to follow moving subjects like birds in flight or athletes on a field.

• Fully Multi-Coated Optics: The lenses are fully multi-coated and the prisms carry Kowa's C3 prism coatings, which Kowa says give high light transmission for brighter, sharper images.
• 3.1mm Exit Pupil: The 3.1 mm exit pupil (relative brightness 9.6, twilight factor 14.1) suits daylight viewing.

A 320g, Nitrogen-Filled, Pocket-Sized Body

Designed for portability, the BD25 8x25 measures just 111 x 107 x 39 mm and weighs a mere 320g. Kowa describes the BD25 as ultra compact and pocket sized, and its dual-barrel design is easy and comfortable to hold, even for long periods. The body is rubber armored to safeguard the internal lenses, and the rubber surface gives a firm grip, even in wet conditions.

• Waterproof and Nitrogen Filled: Kowa describes the BD25 as 100% waterproof, purged and sealed with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging.
• 16.0mm Eye Relief: Kowa lists 16.0 mm of eye relief for this 8x model.

Observing at Just 1.8 Meters: Close-Focus Capability

A standout feature of the Kowa BD25 is its ability to focus on subjects as close as 1.8 meters (5.9 feet). This lets you view nearby subjects such as insects, flowers or museum exhibits at 8x as well as distant ones.

Kowa BD25 8x25 vs. 10x25: Field of View or Magnification?

The primary decision within the BD25 series is between the 8x and 10x models. The choice hinges on your primary use case and preference for a wider view versus greater detail at a distance.

• Kowa BD25 10x25 Advantage: The 10x model provides higher magnification, resolving more fine detail on distant subjects. This can be preferable for identifying distant wildlife or reading small text from afar.
• Kowa BD25 8x25 Advantage: The 8x model offers a significantly wider real field of view (6.3° vs. 5.0°), making it much easier to find and track moving targets. It also has a larger exit pupil (3.1mm vs. 2.5mm), resulting in a brighter image in lower light conditions and a more forgiving eye position.

For general use, hiking, and tracking fast-moving subjects like birds, the wider, brighter view of the 8x25 is often the more practical choice. For static, long-distance observation where every detail counts, the 10x25 has the edge.