Levenhuk provided me with interesting binoculars for testing – Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32.. Due to its small magnification and wide field of view (almost 10 degrees), such binoculars can be useful for studying the constellations, for observing landscapes, and also where a stable picture is required with minimal shaking (e.g. sporting events). Declared wide-angle five-lens eyepieces with corrected distortion, fully coating of optical elements, Bak4 prisms, long eye relief and much more.
The 6.5×32 format itself is very rare, there are very few binoculars with such a formula. The reason for the rarity is that the close and more popular 7×35 format comes on the heels of these binoculars. A small magnification provides good image stability, and a large exit pupil provides a brighter image at dusk and at night than comparable 8×32 binoculars. I also briefly tested Levenhuk Karma 6.5×32 binoculars (in roof prism) – which in almost all parameters are worse than Levenhuk Sherman PRO 6.5×32 (except weight and dimensions). Of the similar binoculars, there are also БПЦШ 6×30, Kowa YF30-6 6×30, Kowa BDII32-6.5XD and Vixen SG 6.5×32, but I can’t say how they are in terms of picture quality.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32
Magnification, x | 6.5 |
Type | Porro prism |
Eyepieces | five elements in three groups |
Objectives | two elements in one group |
Optics material | BaK-4 glass |
Optics coating | fully multi-coated |
Objective lens diameter (aperture), mm | 32 |
Exit pupil diameter, mm | 4.9 |
Eye relief, mm | 21 |
Twilight factor | 14.4 |
Relative brightness | 24 |
Resolution threshold, arcseconds | 7.5 |
Field of view, ° | 10 |
Field of view, m/1000 m ft/1000 yds |
175 525 |
Close focus, m ft |
3 9.8 |
Eyepiece diopter adjustment, diopters | ±4 |
Interpupillary distance (IPD), mm | 60–70 |
Focusing | central |
Eyecups | twist-up |
Operating temperature range, °C °F |
-15…+40 5…104 |
Adaptable to a tripod | yes |
Usage | General use product. May be used by kids over 3 years old. |
Dimensions, mm in |
182x112x58 7.2×4.4×2.3 |
Weight, kg lbs |
0.73 1.6 |
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 binoculars come in a colorful cardboard box, including binoculars, a bag with a shoulder strap, a neck strap with a neoprene insert, lens caps and eyepieces, a cloth for wiping optics. Made binoculars in China.
Front side box
Box on the back
In the box
The binoculars are quite heavy, the measured weight with covers was 780 grams. The approximate dimensions are 12.5 x 17 x 6.5 cm. The case is externally covered with rough rubber. Holding binoculars is quite convenient and pleasant. In the front there is a plastic plug under which the thread under the tripod is hidden. The plug is bad – after one twisting and twisting, the plastic thread began to wear off. The focusing drum is ribbed, spinning tight, the full focusing range is about 300 degrees. Rotating it with one finger is uncomfortable, you also have to pull your finger. For those who need quick and responsive refocusing, binoculars are unlikely to work. The simultaneous use of the index and middle fingers can help a little, and on both hands – that is, the fingers on one hand “pull” the drum, and on the other hand they “push” it.
By the way, the binoculars are unstable on the lenses, and at the minimum values of the interpupillary distance they generally fall on the drum. This is not really a drawback, but you should be aware of it.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, top view
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, bottom view
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 front view
Tripod thread
The diameter of the lens is exactly 32 mm. Lenses have blue and green coating. It is noticeable that at the very edge of the lens a lilac reflection. The prisms have a green coating. A close inspection with a flashlight showed that all optical surfaces are coated. The edges of the lenses without blackening.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 lens
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, lens and prisms
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 lens
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, lens and prisms
Eye lenses are large, diameter 25 mm, with green and blue coating. The eye relief is about 20 mm, can be observed with glasses. The measured field of view of the eyepieces is 60 degrees. There is a diopter correction lever on the right eyepiece. The eyepiece bridge is metall.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, eyepieces
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, eyepiece
Diopter correction lever
Diopter correction lever
The eyecups are huge, made of hard rubber. The eyecups have 4 positions with fixation.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, eye cup in the most extended position
Inspection of the gap showed that the binoculars add a yellowness to the image.
Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32, side view of the lens
From the side of the lens, a leak of light is visible on a piece of prism
Reflections when viewed from the lens side
Glare reduces image contrast
The exit pupils are round. When viewed from the eyepiece, glare surfaces are visible.
Left exit pupil
Right exit pupil
Testing on ground objects showed good sharpness in the central third of the field of view, then the sharpness gradually decreases and quickly deteriorates at the edge (field curvature). Acceptable image quality is maintained at approximately 2/3 of the field of view. When refocusing, the edge of the field is sharp. The chromatism of the position (on the axis) is invisible, the chromatism of the magnification (in the field) is small. The binoculars collimation is excellent – the eyes do not get tired at all even after long-term observations.
There is practically no distortion in binoculars – straight lines remain straight even at the edge of the field of view. But at the same time, objects visually shrink a little towards the edge. When observing with the simultaneous rotation of the binoculars around a horizontal or vertical axis (panning), a “rolling ball, globe effect” is observed – as if you were looking at a globe, the rotation of which changes the image in the binoculars. This is due to the complete correction of the distortion. When observing without shifting the binoculars, the effect does not appear in any way, and personally it does not annoy me in any way, but you should be aware of its effect.
Alas, the range of diopter correction turned out to be less than stated – with my myopia -2, the focusing limit at infinity is almost reached. In my opinion, for myopic people with -3 diopters, binoculars are not suitable for observation without glasses. But it’s best to check it out in person before purchasing binoculars.
The star test showed that about 50% of the field of view (from the center) has good image quality, then the picture gradually deteriorates, and at the very edge there is a sharp blur due to the curvature of the field.
Shot through Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 binoculars
Shot through Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 binoculars
Summary:
+ full coating
+ excellent distortion correction
+ good image quality in most of the field of view
+ bright image
+ good color rendering
+ wide field of view
+ long eye relief
+ BaK-4 prism
+ excellent collimation
+ comfortable shape
+ metal bridge
– strong glare from internal surfaces
– blurred edge of the field of view
– “rolling ball” effect. Personally, it does not bother me, but there are people who are intolerant to this effect.
– tight focus and uncomfortable drum
– slight yellowness
– small diopter adjustment range for people with myopia (maximum up to +2.5)
–plastic thread plug.
Despite some disadvantages, I liked the Levenhuk Sherman Pro 6.5×32 binoculars – in terms of price / quality ratio it is very good, especially in the rare 6.5×32 format. I plan to take myself such binoculars for the collection. I recommend to buy if you need binoculars with a small magnification, a bright picture and a large field of view.
P.S. Two years after writing the review, I still bought myself such a pair of binoculars.
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Здравствуйте! Руслан, не довелось всё-таки его на звёздах протестировать? Думаю приобрести, но пока сомневаюсь. Хочется компактный бинокль с большим полем зрения для обзорных наблюдений звёздных полей, чтобы в походах было что-то кроме глаз и объектива фотоаппарата. В основном склоняюсь к нему или Nikon Action EX 7×35 CF (не доводилось сталкиваться?). Ну или может ещё что-то посоветуете?
Здравствуйте. Увы, не удалось – бинокль я вернул поставщику. Для похода я бы взял руф бинокль формата 8х32 – легче, компактнее.
В Action 7×35 EX не смотрел, только в модель Action EX 10×50 – достаточно тяжелый и крепкий бинокль с широким, но замыленны по краю полем.
Можете глянуть обзор на 8х40 EX
https://www.allbinos.com/260-binoculars_review-Nikon_Action_EX_8x40_CF.html
Спасибо! Заказал Celestron Nature DX 8×32. Надеюсь не ошибся.
Видел по нему неплохие отзывы – все оптические поверхности с просветлением. Но как у него с резкостью по полю – не знаю.
Здравствуйте.
Соперник ли этому биноклю Kowa YF 6×30?
Здравствуйте. К Kowa есть интерес – где бы еще раздобыть ее на тест. Еще по тестам хороша Kowa 8×32 XD Prominar. Но это уже 8х.