Simmons Optics 801159 (10x25) Binocular

What does one say about a $13 pair of binoculars? Alright, so they don't have Zeiss lenses. They don't have Steiner's reputation. Big deal. Okay, there is a sting in that they don't give Leupold's, "made in America," sense of durability. But, they also don't have the price tag and that seems to be the point.

Not long ago, Simmons was considered a "low end" optics company that was somewhat obscured by the more ubiquitously available Bushnell and Tasco product lines. Since then, Simmons has worked hard to develop a reputation for delivering moderate quality optics - i.e., rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes - at "low end" (and better) pricing. Much of this is due to the parent ownership by Meade Instruments Corporation; primarily known by the public as makers of telescopes.

What Simmons has succeeded in doing is filling the market niche that Bushnell used to dominate. In other words, if you wanted what was perceived as "cheap" optics, you used to buy a Tasco. If you wanted better quality optics "on the cheap," you purchased a Bushnell. The problem is that many companies, operating with products made from the same "off shore" factories, began squeezing the market. Now Bushnell and the related Bausch and Lomb lines come at a price tag that makes consumers hesitate; no longer perceiving the company's offerings as getting moderate quality "on the cheap" and causing them to analyze what they get for their dollar as compared to rivals in the same price niche.

Well, that's the perception anyway. In reality, at the $10 - $20 or "entry-level" price range, what you are looking at are very comparable sets of binoculars. What determines the choice, most of the time, is simply availability and/or how the pair of binoculars feels in the individual's hand - if you're even able to hold them in that most binoculars at this price point now come in plastic, sealed containers which hang on wall pegs. But, for those interested in some of the "technical" advantages and disadvantages of the Simmons...

The Simmons 10 x 25 compact binoculars under review are now considered part of the "ProSport Series;" labeled "entry-level" rather than "inexpensive." There are a few, very slight differences in some of the specs in Simmons 2005 catalog (available online in pdf format at http://www.simmonsoptics.com/simmons_catalog_05.pdf) from what is listed in the view details section of this review. But, in essence, the product has not changed.

The field of view is 288 feet at 1000 yards (versus 302 feet at 1000 yards for the comparably priced 10 x 25 Bushnell and 275 feet at 1000 yards for $45 Bausch & Lomb in Cabela's Spring 2005 catalog). Marketed as being able to fit into a pocket, the 4.375 inch listed height and 11.3 ounce weight sans case means you'd better have pretty big and sturdy pockets. Close focus distance is listed as 12.5 feet. The case is cordura and has a sewn in "loop" for lacing a belt through. (A potentially significant difference between the 2005 catalog listing and the one I purchased a couple of years ago is that the new case is now listed as having a zipper closure; whereas mine has a small, velcro patch.)

I recommend carrying these binoculars in their case. The lanyard that came with mine is little more than a thin diameter cord that has just enough length to let the unit rest at chest pocket level. If you hitch this cord under your shirt collar, you avoid the inevitable neck bite that stems from its thin diameter. However, if you just let the binoculars hang loose, the pounding you receive as they beat against your chest will make you think the manufacturer intended them to be used, not just as an optical unit, but for such diverse purposes as: emergency CPR, hiccup suppressantnt, and Turkish massage.

I purchased the Simmons 10 x 25 binoculars to supplant the Tasco 8 x 21 models I had carried for nearly a decade. I wanted more power and the Tascos just didn't work well as dusk settled in. The Simmons not only gave me more magnification, but the fully coated optics work exceptionally well, especially given the price, at dusk. I have been able to pick out grey deer watering at a creek, set against a verigated background of brown, pine needle tan, pine tree green needles/grey trunk, and grey rock background from roughly 80 yards at just about twenty minutes before sunset. (Of course, this was while the binoculars seemingly jiggled all over the place due to my recently less than well conditioned cardiovascular system having just carried me over a rock scramble and through a stretch of tree and brush bucking. [There is no tripod adapter.]) The two deer weren't precisely in the fishing hole I was headed to, but they were close enough that I had to announce myself lest I spook them. They were both polite enough to move upstream a bit to allow me the location I had specifically reserved for my last bit of fishing that day.

There is a diopter adjustment on the right barrel. It is easily adjusted, but doesn't hold its setting well with prolonged case carrying (mine spend most of their time in the side pocket of a day pack). My eyeglass prescription is not THAT strong and the diopter setting, even with my astigmatism, is sufficient for reasonably clear viewing. Given that the rubber on the eyepieces does not prevent scratching on eyeglass lenses, combined with an eye relief that is really insufficient for use while wearing glasses, it is a good thing that the diopter adjustment is reasonably accommodating.

The rubber coating provides some shock protection. It is a hard, smooth covering. Although it does a good job on protection, it does not provide as positive a grip or "feel" as the softer, ridged Bushnell/Tasco rubber. If you're used to the bulkier Bushnell/Tasco rubber armor, the Simmons is readily adapted to by "folding" your hands over the binoculars - letting the barrels rest in the web of your thumbs while your fingers "fold" over the top. Such a grip puts your forefinger directly on top of the focus knob.

The Simmons binoculars are not waterproof and do not resist "fogging" well. Although I have used mine in drizzles and light rain for SHORT periods, I would not trust them in a full on rain or downpour. A small, soft lens cloth is included and easily stuffs into the bottom of the case (where it can be easily lost every time you pull the binoculars out).

If you're looking for an inexpensive pair of binoculars for the kids or just can't justify paying more than $10 or $15 based on what little use you'd put them to, then the Simmons are something to seriously consider. Who knows? You might end up having more to say than you thought.