Why They’re CoolThe Magellans are hermetically sealed and nitrogen-filled, thus dirtproof, waterproof, and ideal for, say, river-trip camping, where they’re likely to get dunked and gunked. » Sub-$300 binos usually guarantee a degree of eyestrain, but these embody optical features such as BaK4 prisms—fine, high-density glass that minimizes light scattering—and fully multicoated lenses that are normally the realm of higher-priced optics. There are no serious compromises here. » The Magellans weigh only 12 ounces, so they’re a great choice for peak bagging and scouting lines up vertical rock.
Hmmm . . .Although the eye relief is long (18mm), I couldn’t use the Magellans with glasses—a major chunk of the image would black out—until I clicked back the eyecups two notches. That restored the image but reduced an already narrow (289 feet) field of view.