I'm interested to know how you guys evaluate and compare binoculars, mainly for light transmission/low-light performance and resolution. I know just about everyone has various preferences due to how the binocs feel and fit for them but I'm wondering if there is something that could be a bit more objective for performance evaluation. For instance, to do a quantitative evaluation that might involve time or lateness in the day performance, could you do something like set a particular target or something else at a given distance and look through the binocs mounted side by side for comparison--what distance is appropriate? What should the viewed target be, maybe a rifle range target with rings or squares and what color? Again, just wondering about something that could be a tool for a somewhat "standardized" evaluation (as opposed to just looking at the edge of woods or crops, or something and seeing how it looks). And would you start this maybe a few minutes before sunset and then continue the viewing comparison until dark or until it gets dark enough where you can no longer see or resolve the target and determine which one lasted the longest? Any other ideas?
On the flip side, what do you guys do for an overall qualitative evaluation in order to compare and rank binoculars, what features or aspects are important to you? Perceived depth of field, or ability to get focused smoothly and easily and stay there, physical feel of eyecups, something else? Or is it simply just how it "feels" and fits?
I'm in the process of trying to decide on a 12x binocular and I'd like to hear your thoughts about what you do when making choices.
Thanks in advance.
On the flip side, what do you guys do for an overall qualitative evaluation in order to compare and rank binoculars, what features or aspects are important to you? Perceived depth of field, or ability to get focused smoothly and easily and stay there, physical feel of eyecups, something else? Or is it simply just how it "feels" and fits?
I'm in the process of trying to decide on a 12x binocular and I'd like to hear your thoughts about what you do when making choices.
Thanks in advance.