Pentax 6.5x21 Close Focus Papilio Binoculars

I searched many websites for binocular reviews before settling on these. (The most helpful were birdwatching and astronomy sites, of which birdwatching .com and weatherman.com were best for their detailed comparison tables.) I'm using them on dog walks and rambles and looking at birds or whatever nature offers up on holidays as well. My priorities were 1:quality-no more dim images and narrow field of view for me. 2:they must be light and portable-if they are large and heavy I just won't take them out much. 3: price-I'd go higher if that's what it takes, but if I can get something for under £100 that does the job I'll be happy.

First I settled on American binoculars you just can't get here in the UK. Then looked at the fantstic review of the Olympus PC1 8x25, which at around £70 was being compared to Leicas and such like for definition and image quality. I ordered them from Amazon, but during the 2 week wait on delivery for this item I came across the relatively new Pentax Papillio and saw only excellent reviews for them ( though I had reservations about only 6.5 magnification). I thought how I'd really wish i'd got these if they are so good for close range viewing, so I impulsively ordered these and decided to do a comparison and send the poorer pair back. However, these came almost next day and I was so amazed at what they could do at close quarters - as well as delivering what I'd hoped for and expected in terms of quality, resolution and brightness at the sort of distance you normally use binoculars for- that I cancelled the Olympus order straight away. The thing is, no matter how good they were (or how good the Leicas I secretly coveted, but couldn't afford) neither of them could do what these binoculars can do. The close up 'macro' facility is fantastic. 6.5 is much bigger than you'd think when looking through lenses of this quality. Think about it: Swarowskis, Leicas, Zeniths, none of them, no matter how much you pay, can do what these do, focusing from 1.5 feet! And they only cost around £70. I used them tonight to look at stars and was taken aback again. I've never seen them so clearly. The 3mm exit pupil size is no problem at all; the image is bright and clear because the coatings and Bak4 prisms are of such good quality (It's the first pair of binoculars I've found easy to use wearing glasses and I have no problems with or without them. You can easily sweep the skies holding them with 1 hand.) So, now I understand why experienced astronomers say a good 7x magnification pair are really useful. The 6.5x magnification really is fine when you have such clarity and resolution. I have no regrets at getting lower magnification than I'd originally planned on. (Though, having seen what these can do I now have the taste for 15-20x 3kg monsters with tripods just for astronomy).

Finally,the whole design and feel of them oozes quality. I can't imagine any reasonable person being unhappy with these. They'd still be excellent at 3 times the price. So, if you're priorities are similar to mine, and you like the macro world of insects and flowers as well as birds and distant stars you really must try out these binoculars.

I couldn't seem to find a bad (or less than excellent) review for these Pentax binos' - so decided to go for it, with slight reservations about the 6.5x magnification.
Well I can say without reservation that these are the finest binoculars I've ever had the pleasure to look through. I've no idea how Pentax have managed what they've managed with these - you can focus on a fly on your knee in amazing detail, plus do a spot of birdwatching / stargazing if that's your thing.
I bought these primarily for some close up bug-viewing, having already got a some 10 x 50's for bird stuff - but they've proved their worth in this field too, and I'm not expecting that my higher power bins will get a look-in any more. In fact, the difference between the bigger 10 x magnification, and the 6.5 on the Papilios' is remarkably small, mainly due to the quality of the optics that Pentax have used - there's no distortion around the edge of the view regardless of what you're focusing on, and the image is very bright. They weigh very little - one handed use is fine when your arms get tired, and the lens covers hook onto the neck strap, so no chance of losing it.
I honestly can't fault these - give them a try and see for yourself, it'll open your eyes on what's going on at bug-level and beyond.....

I again read other reviews on these and went through a "shall I shan't I" phase?
Anyway I took the plunge and am glad I did, these are super little bino's
I have joined the insect world in CLARITY with pin sharp easy focusing,
while being great for bird watching as well.
Also lightweight with a rubber coating, ideal for travel.
Thanks Pentax