Tasco Essentials 178BCR (12x25) Binocular

If you're looking for a serious pair of binoculars for serious hunting, birdwatching, sports viewing, or whatever, then you'll probably become familiar with Zeiss lenses and/or Steiner's reputation. For the rest of us who only occasionally find a need, we tend to look at the price tags associated with such serious optics and go: "Okay, do I need Leupold's 'Made in America' durability like Leupold's, etc., so forth, and such like? Probably not. I wonder if the local Wal-Mart has a set that's affordable?"

- Temptation Equals One Alternative -

Tasco has long been perceived as providing "cheap" optics. In reality, at the $10 - $20 or "entry-level" price range, what you are looking at are very comparable sets of binoculars regardless of manufacturer. 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, including the Tasco 12 x 25, now come in plastic, sealed containers which hang on wall pegs.

Aside from availability, the other major factor influencing choice is the temptation of magnification. The point of buying a pair of binoculars is to see something far away - right? Therefore, you want as much "power" as you can get - correct? Well... Sorta. There does come a point of diminishing returns.

For years, the 'standard' was consider 8X and, to some degree, still is. However, 10X optics have come into wider spread use. For instance, the $15 10X Simmons (see They Get The Job Done - That Might Be All You Can Say) filling the peg right next to the Tascos have a field of view which is 288 feet at 1000 yards (versus 302 feet at 1000 yards for the comparably priced 10 x 25 Bushnell).

But, hey, for $18 (only $3 more!!!) the next peg over lets you get the Tasco Essentials 12 x 25 with a field of view 240 feet at 1000 yards. With a folded, in-pouch size of just about 5" long and 3" wide, they're only a little larger than the 10X. Even if the olive camouflaged rubber 'armor' gives them a larger circumference, it just means they're a little meatier in the hand; thus, making 'em easier to hang on to. Right?

That's the wind-up. Here's the pitch... The catalog says you get fully coated lenses, roof prism, a centered focus bar, they only weigh 11.4 ounces, and you even get a case. Sounds just like what the Tasco catalog spiel says: "High magnification and camouflage armor make these the ultimate long-distance hunting binoculars when weight and size are critical factors."

Oh... The temptation.

- But, But... I Had An Excuse -

To my mind, 10X, particularly when it comes to the "compact" variety of binoculars, is probably the strongest practical magnification. Think about it this way. Probably the most popular variable power rifle scope is the 3X-9X. As noted, for many years, 7X and 8X binoculars were the standard. The more 'affordable' tripod-mounted spotting scopes start at 10X or 12X.

Get the idea? It's not just a question of technological advance in optics. The most significant criterion is the individual's ability to hold the optics steady. The higher the power, the more "shake" imparted to the image with even the slightest movement. (Just the act of breathing can move you off 'target' at 12X if the object you're viewing is close enough.) Now, my hands aren't as steady as they used to be, but I figure that since I can still tie a size 32 dry fly, they aren't all that shaky yet. That's why I can hold the Tasco 12 x 25's steady enough to make them usable; but, only just.

Another issue is just how much magnification you need. Remember, the cited field of view is at 1,000 yards. If you think about it honestly, how often do you need to see detail (something you aren't going to get much of at that distance, even with 12X) at over half a mile? That's assuming that whatever you're trying to see isn't small to begin with and isn't moving. Of course, if the object of your attention is reasonably distant (but close enough so that you can see detail), at what point do you have too much magnification?

I'm not saying you shouldn't or can't use 12X binoculars. What I am saying is that you should carefully weigh your needs before succumbing to temptation. Might you lose more than the $3 difference in price?

- What Have I Seen? -

Why would I buy these if I don't consider them to be 'practical?' Would you believe curiosity ? No? I don't blame you. How about simply so I could write a review at Epinions? Nope? Uh, well...

Let's just say there have arisen some circumstances in and around some of my favorite trout water where I do, in fact, need to see some additional detail than the Simmons allows for at distances up to about 250 yards. I'll go so far as to say that given several "incidents" in the last couple of years, it has become something of a necessity to "look before you proceed." (If that's too cryptic, while avoiding discussions of how it might be legal to sell certain items for 'medicinal purposes' in certain regions but not legal to grow it, then bear in mind that the county sheriff, Fish & Wildlife, USFS, and other branches of the 'constabulary' have not gone so far as to recommend outdoor enthusiasts avoid these areas, but they have been keeping an eye on the situation too; and they can afford better "optics.")

I recommend carrying these binoculars in their case; inexpensive and poorly made as it is. 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.

The fully coated optics work reasonably well at dusk; especially given the price. The image "washes" out a bit more than the Simmons, but some of that has to do with the fact that you're trying to squeeze out 2X more magnification with the same diameter objective. As alluded to, the "jiggle factor" can come into play if you're, shall we say, a bit out of shape and higher up than you've been for several months. (There is no tripod adapter.)

There is a diopter adjustment on the right barrel. It is easily adjusted and has held its setting fairly 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 accommodating.

The rubber coating provides some shock protection and can help provide a better grip. It does add some bulk to the binoculars, but not so much as to be obtrusive. In fact, with average-sized hands, you can still hold the Tasco 12 x 25's 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 Tasco Essential 12 x 25 binoculars are marketed as "weather resistant." I haven't, as yet, used them in truly damp weather, but they do exhibit a mild tendency toward "fogging." I would not trust them in a full on rain or downpour. A small, soft lens cloth is included and readily stuffs into the bottom of the case (where it can be easily lost every time you pull the binoculars out).

- Bottom Line -

I suspect the company's One Year Limited Warranty might give you a clue where these binoculars fall in the spectrum of 'quality.' "Any return made under this warranty must be accompanied by," among other things, "A check/money order in the amount of $10.00 to cover the cost of postage and handling." If you add on your cost to package and ship it back to the company, well... It becomes obvious that it will cost you almost precisely as much for a warranty claim as it would to simply go out and replace the binoculars. Just something to think about.

If you're looking for an inexpensive pair of binoculars for the kids or just can't justify paying more than $20 based on what little use you'd put them to, then the Tasco Essential series was created with you in mind. If 12X magnification is something you feel you need, it's a good price point and a reasonably effective pair of binoculars to acquire in that if you find them to be impractical, you're not out that much. In that sense, The Tasco Essential 12 x 25 binoculars may be one of those few times in life where giving into temptation may not be all that bad.