Hinode Binoculars 8x42-D1

• Effective diameter of objective lens : 42mm (ED lens)
• Magnification : 8x
• Actual field of view : 7.5 degrees
• Eye relief : 18mm

* Brightness : 28

+ Lens and prism coating : Fully multi-coated (7 layers) water-repellent and
hard-coated

• Minimum focusing distance : 2.0m
• Weight: 688g
• Size: 127mm wide x 132mm high x 50mm thick (photos at the bottom of the
  page)
• Body: Magnesium (aluminum focus knob)
• Prism : Roof prism, Bak4 , flat prism with dielectric multilayer coating,
  Schmidt prism with phase coating

* Country of manufacture: Japan

• Color: Black, navy blue

* Pupil width adjustment range : 57-75mm

• Waterproof performance: Submerged in water up to 3m for 3 minutes
  (nitrogen-filled waterproof)
• Accessories: Soft case, objective lens cap, eyepiece cap, strap (photos of all
  of these can be seen at the bottom of the page.

Despite its 8x magnification, it offers a wide field of view of 7.5 degrees. The
Di features a luxurious eyepiece consisting of five lenses in four groups,
providing a clear peripheral field of view and the central resolution you expect
from Hinode. The body is made of magnesium, the focus knob is made of
aluminum, and many other metal parts are used, making it extremely durable.
These binoculars are nitrogen-filled and completely waterproof.

We at Hinode spent over six months conducting extensive visual tests before
the product was released, and we felt a strong response to the D1. At this
point, when compared to models in the same price range with similar
specifications, we can confidently recommend it.

When planning the Hinode 8x42-D1 as an 8x binocular for stargazing, we kept
the following three points in mind.
 + Low color shift
- Wide field of view, yet still sharp at the periphery
* Not too heavy

Chromatic aberration (color shift) becomes noticeable when the magnification
is increased to 8x or higher. It is not uncommon for the star image to be color
shifted when looking at a particularly bright star through binoculars, but if the
degree of this shift is severe it can be annoying. The D1 uses ED lenses, which
keep chromatic aberration to an acceptable level.

You won't notice much chromatic aberration when looking at Venus or Sirius.
You will notice some chromatic aberration in the peripheral areas of the Moon,
but it's practically unnoticeable for faint stars.

When gazing at the stars, a narrow field of view can make the image less
impactful, but forcing a wider field of view can worsen the peripheral image
and result in a blurred overall image. The D1 provides a fairly wide field of view
(7.5 degrees) while still maintaining a certain degree of peripheral sharpness,
providing an excellent balance for stargazing.

The Hinode 8x42-D1 weighs 688g, which may seem a little heavy for some
women. Compared to the lightweight 6x30-B2, it feels heavier. However, the
body itself is not particularly large, measuring just 123mm high and 127mm
wide.

Although it is not as convenient as 20mm or 30mm binoculars, it is not
unmanageable. In order to make it as light as possible, lightweight magnesium
is used for the body, making it lightweight for a 42mm binocular.

Many of the Hinode staff members were originally involved in astronomy-
related work, and so when it came to creating 8x42 binoculars specifically for
astronomical observation, they had many concerns from the user's perspective.
Please see the development story at the bottom of this page for more details.

Can it be used for anything other than

stargazing?
 The advantage of the D1 is that it has an 8x magnification while still
maintaining a 5mm exit pupil diameter.

I don't think this is a big advantage if you're looking to observe birds, animals,
or plants. I generally use the all-purpose 6x30 or the compact 7x20, and if you
feel the magnification isn't enough, I'll use the 8x30 instead of the 8x40.

As I mentioned above, thanks to the great advances in coatings over the past
30 years, the field of view is now bright enough. When observing birds,
animals, and plants, I don't think a 5mm exit pupil is necessary unless the
situation is extremely dim.

In that case, the 8x30 would be about 200g lighter and more compact, and
would be easier to use. Of course, this doesn't mean that the 8x42-D1 can't be
used for anything other than stargazing, but 700g is a bit heavy for carrying
around.

Technical Specifications

In the Box

• Hinode Binoculars 8x42-D1
• Soft case
• Objective lens cap
• eyepiece cap
• strap

Warranty

Hinode Warranty