Farvision 20×50

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  50 mm
Magnification (according to specs.):  20 x
Exit pupil (measured): 2.5 mm
Technical eye relief (according to specs): 11 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecups): 6.5 mm
IPD: 56-74 mm
RFOV (according to specs.):  4.1  degrees = 72 m
AFOV (according to specs.):  70 degrees
AFOV (measured): 71.5 degrees
Minimum focus distance (according to specs.): 20 m
Focus type:  IF
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to specs.): + 5/ – 5 dpt
Extra travel of focus beyond infinity (estimate):  5 dpt
Prism system: probably Schmidt-Pechan? (specs say “roof”)
Waterproof: yes
Weight (according to specs.): 1’300  g
Weight (measured, with objective cover): 1’333 g
Made in: Russia

Images:

Remarks:

Russian ingenuity’s answer to Germany’s Zeiss 20×60 IS binoculars? The Farvision presented here is in fact a very interesting instrument. This sample used to belong to Piergiovanni Salimbeni from “binomania”; it was obtained by BINOCULAR TODAY in exchange for a dozen or so binoculars given for free to a bird protection organization in the Italian Varese region, such exchange having been organized by Piergiovanni (see https://www.binomania.it/il-gentiluomo-dei-binocoli-pinac/. – The Farvision has been launched sometime between 2010 and 2015, and as far as we know, it is not in production anymore. Comparing the Farvision to more recently launched IS binoculars from Canon, Fujinon, Kite, SIG-Sauer, Kenko, Vixen and others, it looks at first glance like a dinosaur. But it shares a feature with the Zeiss 20×60: image stabilization without the need for external power! The stabilization systems of both the Zeiss and the Farvision ar purely mechanical / magnetic, whereas today’s usual IS binoculars use gyroscopic and / or vari-angle prism systems that work with electronics and need battery power. Whereas the stabilization mechanism of the Zeiss 20×60 has been reported to be somewhat delicate (and possibly also prone to be affected by internal humidity?), the Farvision appears very sturdy and built for military applications (the specs say usability is guaranteed between -40 and +50 degrees Celsius). The apparent field of view with over 70 degrees is quite wide. The stabilization mechanism offers amazingly large 6 degrees image shake compensation. It even works when you hold the Farvision upside down (this does not work with other IS binoculars we tried). Optically, however, the Farvision can’t compete with either the Zeiss or almost all recent IS binoculars on the market. Comparing it e.g. with the Kite 18×50 (see https://binocular.ch/kite-apc-stabi-18×50-ed-li-ion/), the image in much less sharp, both centrally and off-center, CA is much more pronounced, brightness is lower, etc. The sample in question is further affected by an anomaly: with the IS on, the image stays sharp only when observing horizontally or a few degrees upwards; with higher angles, the image gets increasingly blurry (an effect described by Piergiovanni, see below under “Reviews”). However, the Farvision features a screwhole for tripod mounting, so it can still be used for observing e.g. the moon. Overall a very interesting addition to the Pinacollection!

Ratings:

{{  to be updated }}

Reviews:

Binoculars Today is not going to do a review of the Farvision anytime soon, but binomania has published two reviews for those interested, see:

https://www.binomania.it/binocolo-farvision-20×50-dopo-otto-anni/

and

https://www.binomania.it/canon_vs_farvision/