| A review in Cornell University’s Living Bird magazine said the 7 x 26mm Custom was “the only compact binoculars we’ve seen that are really suitable for birding. They’re tough, optically sharp, and they fit easily in a coat pocket." The 7 x 26 Custom was also named a BVD Starred compact binocular by Better View Desired Online optics review journal. A BVD Starred rating is given to a product that is in the same class as a BVD Reference Standard, but which some birders might prefer to the Reference Standard. (A BVD Reference Standard is a product so outstanding that it sets the performance standard for its class).
The good 7’ close focus of this compact porro prism is perfect for warblers and backyard bird feeders. The 7 x 26 Elite Custom uses a reverse porro prism design, in which the objective lenses are closer together than the eyepieces. This allows for nearly full-size binocular performance from a very compact body. The 7x26 Elite Custom has premium BaK-4 prisms and multicoated optics that make it good as a second binocular or for general birding whenever high light-gathering for late twilight observing is not crucial. The body is smoothly molded black polycarbonate, with thumb grooves and inset rubber gripping surfaces for a sure and comfortable hold. It has center focus, soft rubber eyecups that roll down for eyeglass use, and a soft vinyl case (with wrist strap) that attaches to your belt or slips into pocket or auto glove box. Our many birding friends are consistently surprised by just how well this reasonably priced and very compact binocular performs. I can recommend them personally, as I keep a pair in the glove compartment of my car for spur-of-the-moment birding while traveling (don’t worry if you see me on the highway; I pull over and stop the car before using the Customs). I also thought highly enough of them to give a pair to my sister for her birding and for her extensive travels. She’s used them while riding elephants in Thailand, houseboating for a week on the Thames in England, cruising the fjords of Norway, motor-scootering in Bermuda (she assures me she pulls over and stops before using them), and many other places. At least she wasn’t using them when she fell into the Grand Canal in Venice.
Features of this binocular . . . Porro prism optics. The reverse porro prism body provides a small (3.75" long by 4" wide) and light (only 12 ounce) package for easier all-day carrying. The reverse porro design puts the objective lenses closer together than the eyepieces to keep the body virtually as compact as a roof prism design and small enough to slip into a coat pocket. Top-quality BaK-4 prisms for high light transmission. Fully multicoated optics. Multilayer antireflection coatings on all air-to-glass optical surfaces for very good light transmission.
Sleek molded body. The body is molded out of high impact polycarbonate, with rubber gripping surfaces on top and shallow thumb grooves underneath for a firm, yet comfortable grip. The smoothly rounded body has no sharp edges to snag on clothing.
Roll-down eyecups. The soft rubber eyecups roll down for eyeglass use. When rolled up, they shield the eye of the non-eyeglass birder from ambient light to improve image contrast.
Good eye relief. While the manufacturer’s eye relief is specified at 18mm, the actual usable eye relief measures 15mm. Shorter usable eye relief than the manufacturer specifies is typical of most binoculars, as the manufacturer’s technically-correct figures do not takes into account the recessing of the eyepiece below the eyecup rim. In any case, vignetting is only minor for eyeglass wearers at 15mm, as I can attest to personally.
Close focusing. The objective lenses move back and forth within the front of the binocular body to adjust the focus. Only one and a quarter turns of the ribbed focus knob at the rear of the binocular hinge moves from a good 7’ near focus out to the horizon and beyond. Rotary diopter correction. The entire right eyepiece rotates to provide a continuously variable diopter correction that allows you to match the binocular optics precisely to your individual eyesight for a sharp image. Standard accessories. The comfortable wide woven neck strap makes the lightweight binocular even less of a burden to carry during all-day birding sessions. The supplied soft case has a wrist strap as well as a belt loop for no-hands carrying. A pair of slip-on eyepiece caps complete the supplied accessories.
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