Vanguard SDT-1042P Platinum Series Binocular
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Vanguard SDT-1042P Platinum Series Binocular" Good news! You can purchase
Vanguard SDT-1042P Platinum Series Binocular with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.
Price: $199.99 
Product Feature
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Bak4 phase-coated prisms
- Includes soft carrying pouch with adjustable neck strap
- Weighs 27.5 oz
- Near focus of 12 feet
Product Description
The Vanguard SDT series binoculars are Vanguard's premium optics line. Each set of binoculars is constructed with a durable magnesium alloy that makes for a very light, rugged piece of equipment. The SDT-1042P binoculars feature 10X magnification with 42mm objective lenses. Each SDT model has a large center focus wheel, a right diopter ring, and three-step twist out eyecups.
Vanguard SDT-1042P Platinum Series Binocular Review
I recently purchased Nikon Monarch 10x42 realtree camo binoculars for my son (Xmas) - and liked them so much that I decided I needed a pair. Unfortunately, I'm too tight to buy Nikons for myself! Then I happened to see these (Vanguard SDT-1042P) on sale.
Full disclosure - my family thinks Santa drives a brown truck & delivers packages marked "Amazon" - but THESE I got locally at a new big box Hunting store that just opened. They were the pick of a number of post-holiday binocular mark-downs. The box said SDT-1042ANV - but inside were SDT-1042P platinum binocs in camo - the ANV refers to 20th aniversary packaging and includes a set of criss-cross shoulder straps that MIGHT not be in other packages (along with a neck strap, black bag & bag strap, optical wipes, etc.) These have a standard tripod mounting hole under a screw cover at the front of the hinge - I didn't try it, but it should work. Vanguard makes an adapter arm for use with a tripod or window mount, available here on Amazon.
I looked through two samples - the display unit, and the one I ended up buying, and they both seemed identical in fit, finish, and optical quality. That doesn't always happen, and I've known people who had to exchange expensive big-name optics with a flaw before getting a second set that were fine. At least I know that Vanguard made more than one good unit of these.
My son was along for the in-store try-out and was impressed with the overall quality of these, but thought the Nikon Monarchs were slightly brighter. I say maybe, but for sure not much. Both of us liked the sharpness of these. There was a helpful eye chart and resolution block high on a wall at the back of the store, and I couldn't see any difference on it between the Nikons and the Vanguards. My son, with better eyes, THOUGHT the Nikons MIGHT be a little sharper - but wasn't sure.
I like the right eyepeice ocular adjustment on these, which has distinct clicks. I always have trouble getting the two eyes' focus in sync and think the clicks help with that. They also make it less likely that adjustment will get moved accidently during use. Many binoculars have this ring either too tight to adjust easily or so loose that it gets nudged in handling. The clicks move the focus enough to notice a slight difference, but not so much that you'd think you'd skipped past the sweet spot. For old geezers such as myself this makes more difference, since I can't remember my last glasses before bifocals. We can't make up much difference with our eyes' limited focusing ability, like those under 40 can do. Similarly, I depend more on the main focus knob than younger users, who can scan a hillside without refocusing much for changing distance, using their young and responsive eye lenses for unconscious minor adjustments. I'm nervously twiddling the knob to stay in focus around every rock and bush.
My son thought the focus was too "quick" at first, liking the slower focus movement of the Nikons. I wouldn't want it any faster, but I liked it. If focus is too slow, you'll jostle the binoculars as you make large movements of the focus knob. These have the tight responsive feel of a sports car steering. A slight rotation shifts focus enough for the bifocal crowd to follow shifting terrain, and speeds aquisition of focus when shifting abuptly from near to far viewing (or the reverse). These focus very close and OVER-FOCUS well beyond infinity (much more than several pairs of Nikon Monarchs we examined). This can be helpfull for the nearsighted who may want to use the binoculars occasionly without their glasses. A near-sighted person without much astigatism can do fine using binoculars without glasses, and that can be handy on occasion, but ONLY IF the binoculars have enough focus range to correct for the near-sightedness at long range. These do for anyone short of "coke-bottle" lenses. BTW, these have enough eye relief to work fine with glasses, and eyepieces that rotate out in steps to allow naked-eye use without smudging the lenses with your eyelashs.
A couple of days of casual use hasn't dampened my enthusiasm. Distant mountain slopes look crisp and bright, and nearby birds can look like you've got them perched on your hand. Stars focus to good points. I looked at Venus with the Nikon Monarchs and the Vanguards. I was startled at the optical flaring visible from this ultra-bright object, but the crescent shape was still (just) visible. The Nikons seemed to have a very slight advantage here, but my eyes may have been a limiting factor, accounting for much of the flare.
I looked at a couple of license plates under late-afternoon lighting. The plates at 210 yards were easily read. Those at 305 yards (about 20 degrees out of face-on, and a poor contrast white-on-blue) were a challange - as I looked, without re-focusing, a couple of digits would sharpen enough to read, then swim out of focus. I've seen this before testing spotting scopes. Under these circumstances my son could probably read the plates. Conclusion: these binoculars aren't the limiting factor most of the time for me - it's my eyes!
Amazon describes these (SDT) as Vanguard's premium line. It may not be any more. Their new Endeavor series has five special coatings: Hydro-Guard, V-Max, Anti-reflection, Emerald, and P2 Phase. The new Spirit Line is missing Anti-reflection, and the SDT line is missing Hydro-Guard and Anti-reflection. Their numerous other lines miss even more special coatings and other features. Hydro-guard helps shed water and dirt on the exposed lense surfaces and Anti-reflection cuts reflections on the exposed lense surfaces. My guess: the SDT line are high build quality, but are missing Vanguard's newest exterior coatings. Nothing to worry about in my book, but those who may hunt in the fall drizzle might look at Hydro-guard. I've read good things about similar coatings by other manufacturers making binoculars usable in bad weather. Real or hype? I don't know. But you won't find me out hunting in those conditions so I've got no second thoughts.
Finally, I looked very briefly through serveral other brands in the store. A much cheaper Alpen (or Alpine?) was obviously inferior optically. A Bushnell of slightly higher price was closer in optical quality, but overall less attractive. Nikon Monarchs had some minor features I liked (e.g. attached objective covers), and were PERHAPS a little brighter (and much more expensive). Similarly, a quick look through a Burris and another premium brand (Leica?, I can't recall), showed no obvious optical superiority. Returning to focus adjustment again - at least one of the inexpensive competitors had what I consider an inexcusable fault - focus back-lash. When you reverse focus direction the knob turns a bit before the focus starts shifting. This makes focusing VERY slow and difficult. The "fast" Vangard focus had no noticable back-lash. Conclusion: these are at the point of diminishing returns - you can pay a LOT, LOT more, for barely noticeable optical improvements and minor build, styling or convenience differences. Someone with better eyes or in very challanging lighting conditions might see more differences. I didn't.
Sorry about the rambling review, but I could find NOTHING of substance on this brand when I searched before purchase and thought it deserved some commentary to help those looking at it for the first time.
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