Pentax 9x28 DCF LV: Review

Posted to Binoculars 2009-10-13

Pentax 9 X 28 DCF LV review:

With magnification of 9 times the Pentax 9x28 DCF LV series are a handy, lightweight set of binoculars for your boating or outdoor needs. They weigh 12.9 ounces or 375 gram and measure at height of 4.6 inches and a width of 4.5 inches. The 28mm lenses provide you with a 5.6 degree real field of view and are available only in black.

The full rubber coating that surrounds the unit provides sufficient impact resistance to protect your binoculars against accidental damage. The unit is water resistant to a depth of 1m and the waterproof seals allow for rinsing the unit to clean up any accumulated dirt along the way. Nitrogen injection into the lens area means ongoing resistance against any fogging internally in the unit. Bak4 prisms are used to provide increases in brightness and contrast in the field of view and the inner focus design further contributes to the overall compactness of the binoculars.

Rating:

3.6 out of 5

Quality

Quality binoculars rely upon there use of tested lens technology to ensure lasting performance. The use of the phase correction coating on the glass lens, to increase the resolution and contrast in this unit shows a commitment to providing a quality product that will continue to be reliable. Added into the design is the high-reflection coating that is used on the prisms to increase reflectivity, so the inner workings of this Pentax set of binoculars are built with quality parts that will perform in most conditions.

Ergonomics

Sound design thought has gone into the Pentax 9x28 DCF LV series, with the long eye relief design being a key feature of this model. The design enables longer use of the unit and helps to reduce the pressure on the eyes that some units can cause, whilst the unit also caters for those of us who require glasses. Pentax has also recognised that there is no one size fits all approach to binocular eyepieces, so they have included a four stop rotation to the eyepieces to adjust to multiple different requirements.

Summary

Primarily the Pentax 9x28 DCF set of binoculars is going to serve you well in all situations. There 9 times magnifications should be sufficient for just about any task you require on the water and the compact design means they can be stowed away easily. Small markdowns for the box like feel the unit has in the hand, but the rubber casing means they are comfortable enough for extended usage.

Pros

Compact Overall Design
Waterproof to 1m
Good field of View
Increased Brightness & Contrast

Cons

Lack of Ergonomic Feel