Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 8.5 x 5.7 x 2.6 inches |
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Package Weight | 0.75 Pounds |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9 x 6 x 3 inches |
Item Weight | 0.34 Kilograms |
Brand Name | TASCO |
Country of Origin | China |
Model Name | 178RBC |
Color | Black |
Material | Rubber |
Number of Items | 1 |
Manufacturer | Tasco |
Part Number | 178rbd |
Size | 12x25mm |
Tasco Essentials Binocular
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand | TASCO |
Objective Lens Diameter | 25 |
Magnification Maximum | 10 |
Color | Black |
Mounting Type | Roof |
About this item
- Beautiful design and durability built to last
- Powerful 12x magnification
- Protected by a rugged rubber armor
- Fully coated optics for a bright, clear view
- Compact size makes this an excellent choice for big game hunting in the mountains of wide-open country
- Includes limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty
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Product Description
Bushnell leads the industry with its high quality scopes and view finders. Trusted by the world over, whether you're an avid huntsman, military, or recreational user, Bushnell will fit the mold for everything.
Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B00111UWIC |
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Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #4,987 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #2,167 in Binoculars |
Date First Available | December 10, 2007 |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, value, size and clarity of the binoculars. For example, they mention the build quality seems good enough, the hinges seem solid and that it's a truly great value. They appreciate the compact size and the clear view. Customers are also impressed with the portability, saying it'll fit into a day pack.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the binoculars. They say the build quality seems good enough, the hinges are solid, and the product is good. They also mention that the bins are resistant to weather and feel substantial.
"...They're also a nice handy set to keep on the table by the window where I watch hummingbird and seed feeders...." Read more
"...They feel very sturdy in your hands and look well made, minus the very thin cheap string they give you for putting it around your neck." Read more
"...+The unfolding hinge is firm but not overly stiff. No shake or flimsiness there.+Some of these cheap ones have mis-aligned prisms...." Read more
"...The Bushnell is fully waterproof and it seems to be made with a bit more quality (you get what you pay for) than the Tasco...." Read more
Customers like the value of the binoculars. They say it's a truly great value, and cheap enough to leave in the car.
"...5 stars because, for their compact size and especially at such a low price, they are really quite decent binos." Read more
"...All in all - this item is a truly great value and I would purchase it again...." Read more
"...or get damaged at all so they are very high quality for such a cheap price...." Read more
"...Exactly what I was looking for and for an even better price than expected!..." Read more
Customers like the size of the binoculars. They say it's compact, but powerful, and the perfect size for little hands. Some say it folds compactly and is easy to carry on a hike. They also say it has a nice strap and carry case. Overall, most are happy with the size and functionality of the product.
"...I rate them 5 stars because, for their compact size and especially at such a low price, they are really quite decent binos." Read more
"...+Very little `camera shake'. The perfect combination of lens size and magnification for stable viewing.CONS:..." Read more
"...Both pairs are the PERFECT size to keep in my pack.All in all - this item is a truly great value and I would purchase it again...." Read more
"...The view through them is very clear and I love the compact size so we can fit it easily into our hiking backpack...." Read more
Customers like the clarity of the binoculars. They say the view is crystal clear, the optics are clear, and the details are perfect. They also mention that the bins are inexpensive and that they can compensate for the difference in vision between their eyes. Customers also say that they easily read signs at a distance in daylight. They recommend the binaculars for hunting or hiking, as they are excellent for their size of vision and have a wide field of view.
"...This Tasco set is quite bright and clear, and the adjustment thumbwheel is tight and accurate...." Read more
"...The image is clear and the focus is easy to adjust. It comes with a handy carrying case and neck strap (all I need)...." Read more
"...If I close my right eye the field of view is not clear. However it is fairly unnoticeable when viewing through both eyes...." Read more
"...The view through them is very clear and I love the compact size so we can fit it easily into our hiking backpack...." Read more
Customers find the binoculars light enough to toss into a day pack, easy to carry with them, and ideal for carrying in a jacket pocket. They also say the weight is good and not too heavy or too light. The compact size makes them great for travel and the carrying pouch is decent. Some mention that the product is handy and yet powerful enough to see what they want to.
"...Their small size makes them ideal for carrying in a jacket pocket...." Read more
"...These weren't made of cheap plastic like I was expecting but a much heavier and sturdier material and the coating on them is very soft and easy on..." Read more
"...They are lightweight yet rugged and very durable, and easily fold up to fit in a shirt pocket. The optics are excellent for their size...." Read more
"...Compact, slim, lightweight, resistant, weatherproof... I could go on and on about its wonders but I will just tell you if your looking for compact..." Read more
Customers find the binoculars wonderful for hikes, concerts, and general use. They say they're suitable for bird watching or sport events, and easy to carry and use. Some customers also mention that they'd be great while out fishing to enjoy nature. They're perfect for day hiking packs or sporting events, camping, and backyard bird or butterfly watching.
"...so invested in O/N. Arrived beautifully, promptly and extraordinary performance at the concert...." Read more
"...these, they are excellent for their size of vision, ideal for hunting or hiking or just putting in car or truck and having handy in case you see..." Read more
"...They are perfect for observing the wildlife in my back yard from the comfort of my family room - just the right amount of magnification, and easy..." Read more
"...They are compact and lightweight. They are wonderful for hikes, concerts, and general use...." Read more
Customers find the binoculars easy to use. They mention that they are simple, lightweight, and convenient. They are good for beginners and easy to control with one hand. They also say the bins include instructions to guide first-time users. Overall, customers find the product to be great for amateur use.
"...and sturdier material and the coating on them is very soft and easy on the hands...." Read more
"...Easy to use and even includes instructions to guide you in case you are a first time user like me...." Read more
"...and easy to use...." Read more
"...The price is decent and the binoculars are well made and easy to use...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the binoculars. Some mention that they are easily adjusted and focus well, while others say that it's hard to get the focus just right, the eyepiece is loose, and the center of focus is distorted.
"...+Due to this less-than-precise focusing mechanism, you might need to re-adjust your diopter now and then to get perfect images...." Read more
"...The image is clear and the focus is easy to adjust. It comes with a handy carrying case and neck strap (all I need)...." Read more
"...The focus takes a little fiddling to get it right, but who is better at fiddling with things than a 6 year old?..." Read more
"...But as far as mine went, they have a looser focus than the Bushnells. The Tascos were properly collimated while the Bushnells weren't even close...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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On arrival the first thing I noticed was how tiny they are! If you are familiar with Swiss cake rolls, they look pretty much exactly like that and the same size too. I can fit them entirely in one hand. Not nessesarily a bad thing, just surprisinging.
The second unfortunate thing I noticed after playing around with them was that one eyepiece did not work a swell as the other. While viewing objects the left monocular is blurry compared to the right. I turned them over and looked though the same modular with the other eye to make sure it wasn't just my eyes. If I close my right eye the field of view is not clear. However it is fairly unnoticeable when viewing through both eyes. It seems my right eye can compensate for my left eyes bluriness and it's not too bothersome.
So for 12 bucks I can deal with the somewhat blurry left monocular. They feel very sturdy in your hands and look well made, minus the very thin cheap string they give you for putting it around your neck.
PROS:
+Solid steel construction! This floored me. The `bridge' and both tubes are made from solid metal, making it slightly heavier than it looks. (Quality heavy)
+The tubes are covered in good quality high-impact synthetic rubber. Same stuff you find on the high end binocs.
+The unfolding hinge is firm but not overly stiff. No shake or flimsiness there.
+Some of these cheap ones have mis-aligned prisms. Not here, clear as a bell.
+Good light in dark areas despite small lenses. About as good as a human's normal night vision.
+Very little `camera shake'. The perfect combination of lens size and magnification for stable viewing.
CONS:
+Rubber pieces over either end of the barrels can be pulled off rather easily. Cheap glue... you might want to use some light rubber cement to re-secure them.
+The focusing mechanism connects through holes in the barrels to the lenses within, which move forward and back in the ends of the tubes. This mechanism is rather exposed to the elements, and definitely not waterproof. Don't let your finger slip into the end of the barrel; you can easily touch the greasy interior.
+Due to this less-than-precise focusing mechanism, you might need to re-adjust your diopter now and then to get perfect images.
+Contrast is slightly washed out in bright sunlight, and at night street/head lights produce large X-shaped flares, nothing too distracting though. (if you're used to wearing glasses)
+The neck `strap' is less a strap than a thin string that could be used to saw your head off should someone grab the binocs while they're around your neck. They're also connected nearly half-way down the set so they tend to flip up with the eyecups against your chest when you move around. (the small mounts can be unscrewed from the body however if you want to pocket them, which they do easily might I add.)
The Pros far outweigh the Cons, making this a FANTASTIC set of cheap binocs. Highly recommended.
Top reviews from other countries
I think that these bins are both useable and useful. I won’t list all of the optical shortcomings compared to Leicas or Opticron bins – they are of course there, but they don’t detract from the fact that in my opinion these offer a useably sharp and bright-enough image of birds in daylight or even dull days, and they are therefore in my personal opinion very much worth carrying in your pocket – a £12.65 Tasco compact in the hand is worth two Leica Trinovids in the drawer at home. The image is not only good enough to see and identify birds, but even to enjoy the view of them. These bins are very small – the smallest I could find with a useable, useful image in this low price bracket. They are pretty much perfect size-wise for keeping in a pocket “just in case” – closed, they fit nicely in a closed adult hand. The build quality is pretty good too – the rubber armour is well-fitted, nice to the touch and a reassurance against knocks – it extends over the ends of the barrels, so you can set them down on rough stone in pretty much any manner without any great concern. I have managed to chip a bit of black paint off of the central metal bridge, but this just makes them look like they are actually being used, and I can’t complain at this price. They are light enough to be unnoticeable in a jacket pocket, yet reassuringly weighty enough to feel like they have a bit of quality, if you know what I mean. I am no “label snob”, but to be honest I like the “Tasco” label on these – it is a well-known and largely respected brand in the optical goods world, rather than some weird, unheard of tag like “Abooka” (I made that up) or some other junky knock-off effort which you so often find at this price point. The thin string neck strap is fine given the light weight of these bins, albeit that it might be a little uncomfortable on bare skin when you aren’t wearing a collar – if indeed you would bother using a neck strap for bins of this size at all. By positioning the attachment of the neck strap to the upper side of the bins, they have far less tendency to flap and bang about on your chest, particularly if (perish the thought) you ever break into a trot while using them.
The central focussing wheel is in my opinion very well positioned and is smooth and easy to turn, even with thin gloves on. Both eyes focus pretty much exactly the same and at the same rates – in my experience, cheap binoculars of this design type and price point very often don’t, which really does render them useless at any price. I had a cheap pair of Practica bins of this design type for nearly 25 years before they gave up the ghost (the two eyes went permanently out of alignment for some reason – probably a heavy knock of some sort). Over the years I found that all they needed were a bit of grease every now and then on the metal rods / guides that the assembly runs along when focussing to keep things smooth and even, and an occasional wipe over the rubber armour with a very light smear of silicon grease to keep the rubber nice, soft and grippy. This design can be a bit prone to gathering fluff and bits around the object lenses at the front where the inside of the barrels are greased, and I doubt that any are anything more than splash proof. Like most bins of this size and at this price point, they do not come with lens caps, and indeed it is difficult to see how any could be reliably fitted to this design. In my experience lens caps are a real faff in the field anyway. I usually keep mine in a small bag when it is stowed in my pocket (I found the cheap case it came with a bit fiddly) but obviously at these prices you don’t need to be too precious. The coatings on the lenses (that nice blue/green hue on the surface) aren’t up to Leica standards of course, but I guess they do something towards reducing glare and reflections and enhancing the light-gathering capability, so personally I only touch the lenses with soft lens cloths and try to blow away any sharp dirt first (as I do with my expensive bins) to avoid gradually rubbing these relatively soft coatings away.
The eyecups are comfortable enough for non-glasses wearers, and fold back pretty easily for glasses wearers – I am both, and I found little problem using these with glasses. This again is a common failure point on may models I have looked at over the years – if you can’t get your eyes close enough to the lenses, you end up looking at a very small, wobbly circle of image amidst a big lump of black. One other maintenance point if you want these things to last – rub a bit of silicon grease into the eyecups every now and then, especially if you flip them back and forth regularly – in my experience they are the first thing on bins like these to stiffen, perish, crack up and fail. The two barrels swivel out more than wide enough for my eyes, so most folks from kids to wide-eyed adults should be able to set these to perfection. On some bins these hinges are not stiff enough to hold their position and can even flop about, which can get very annoying. I have found this fault to develop over time on my aforementioned Practicas – you will find slot head screws where the neck string is attached which can be tightened in order to rectify this problem. The dioptre adjustment – the turn-y thing on the right eyepiece which allows you to balance the focussing between one eye and the other – works smoothly too, yet is stiff enough to stay put once you have set it. There are clear increment markers that form part of the rubber armour moulding, so these cannot rub off over time - I personally find these useful for quick re-adjustments if another user has changed them.
The small 21mm object lens allows the bins to be small, but as always it makes images duller and the field of view narrower, which makes locking on to birds you have seen first with the naked eye harder. No problem for a seasoned spotter like me, but personally I would go for bins with much larger object lenses for a child’s first pair, as in my direct experience they can otherwise struggle like crazy to lock on to anything. In a similar vein, x8 is plenty for most general or casual birdwatching needs. At x10, image shake becomes a problem, and if you stay with the same small object lens size of 21mm, the image gets even darker. If most of your watching is fairly close, I would even go down to x7 or even x6 to get the brighter image, especially at this low price point. In the megabucks territory – Leica, Swarovski, etc. – then they can perform miracles with wondrously crafted optics and lens coatings, etc. so you can have your cake and eat it – albeit at eye watering prices.
I conclusion, I think personally buying a pair of these for just £12.65 to keep in your pocket is a real no-brainer – they are very useable and I couldn’t find anything of a similar size as good for the price.
Je les utilise pour pour des sorties à l'affût le soir. L'indice lumineux est excellent !!
Je recommande