Yukon Futurus 8×40 WA Binoculars Review

The most loyal readers will remember the review of the Futurus 10×50, an inexpensive pair of binoculars, suitable for beginners in nature observation.

This time I will describe my impressions of the 8×42 format, which in field use has proven to be more suitable for observing nature than its larger diameter and higher magnification brother.

Supplied

Shoulder strap, padded carrying bag, user manual, cleaning cloth, warranty certificate

Technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer.

Format	8×42
Pupillary extraction	14.5 mm
Exit pupil diameter	4.3 mm
Field Angle	7.5°
Field of view at 1000m in m	118 m
Minimum focusing distance	8 m
Diopter adjustment	+ – 6
Right eyepiece adjustment scale	– 4.5 + 3
Operating temperature	-30 + 40
Dimensions	150x90xs63 mm
Price (April 2018) Adinolfi	89 euros VAT INCLUDED

 

 

Mechanics and focusing system

The Futurus is an inexpensive binocular, costing less than one hundred euros., like a lunch at a restaurant with the wife and children. Don't expect to find and test high-quality mechanical optical components, however it was designed to provide more than decent performance.

The binoculars are made of Porro prisms, a choice that is often obligatory, especially in solutions entry-level, since it is the same price, compared to binoculars with roof prisms, you will benefit from better optical performance.

My electronic scale estimated a weight of 775 g, distributed across 19 cm x 16 cm. The binoculars are well protected from accidental impacts thanks to thick rubber armor. The company advertises them (with a label located on the optical body) as waterproof, and the operating temperature range is also considerable. I assume they are nitrogen-filled, but most of their "waterproof" qualities are due to the rubber shield that protects them. These binoculars, like the 10x50 I tested, also use the clever eyepiece locking system, which you can never lose. The caps, however, are not fixed, but have a deep internal groove that requires a fair amount of pressure to seal the front lenses.

Even though I had a hard time removing the cap, I can confirm that the classic thread for attaching it to photographic tripods is present.

To be a pair of binoculars entry level the finishings are very goodThere are no defects in the bonding of the rubber parts, I found no dust or paint chips inside the optical housing, and even the achromatic doublets that make up the lenses were carefully assembled. Compared to early Chinese production, these are very respectable binoculars.

The focusing system consists of a central knob, certainly well-sized and protected by a knurled black rubber. Furthermore, the right eyepiece rotates to allow for dioptric compensation. When analyzing the minimum focusing distance, I noted two positive factors: the minimum focus it is not eight meters as declared, but it is approximately five meters, furthermore, to go from this distance to infinity it is sufficient to rotate (anti-clockwise) a quarter of a turn. I think it is one of the best performances I have encountered in dozens of field tests.

This factor combined with the good depth of field, intrinsic in an eight magnification, presents it as a a valid opponent of binoculars, perhaps more performing and compacti, but with a significantly slower focusing. If it had been slightly smoother, it would have had very few rivals in this price range. Even the central carriage that moves the eyepieces flexes very little; I even found it better than many solutions offered in the 200-250 euro range.

Goals

The Futurus 8×42 WA is equipped with a simple achromatic doubletor which, in any case, "supported" by the presence of Porro prisms and low magnifications, provides a very respectable performance.

The images have a decent sharpness (compared to a top-of-the-range model) but excellent when compared to the purchase price. The contrast is more than sufficient and the color tone is warm.

 

Eyepieces

They are clearly not its strong point, not so much for the field provided (7.5°), since it is quite in line with the average of that provided by many opponents, but for their shape and for the low pupil extraction, equal to 14.5 mm.

Not being able to lower the rubber lens hoods, which are fixed, Glasses wearers will not be able to enjoy the full field of view. The interpupillary distance I measured was 54 mm. So it's also ideal for many children who want to get started with nature observation.

Treatments

The Futurus features a multi-layer treatment defined True color.

 

Prisms

They are Porro and Bak-4 glass. The pupil exit is not perfectly circular and there are slight cut-off, obviously, you can also notice a bit of vignetting at the edges, especially when looking at light and very bright backgrounds.

 

Aberrations

Chromatic aberration

The chromatism I detected is negligible.and during normal lighting conditions it is, however, present in all other conditions and appears as a faint green-purple halo around the edges of the images.

Lateral chromatism

It is noticeable from about the 50% of the field, it gets worse, obviously, during high contrast lighting conditions.

Field curvature
Minimal, in daytime use – apart from a slight loss of sharpness at the edges – the images are satisfactory even up to the extreme edge of the field.

Angular distortion

Noticeable, around the 5-7%. Vertical details start to distort around the 70% from the center of the field of view.

Other aberrations

Nin astronomical use, observing the constellations one perceives a worsening of the stellar point formation starting from about 80% of the field, proportionally. Moving toward the edge, coma and astigmatism will contribute to increasing the degradation of star images. Therefore, it is not a very high-performance binocular for this specific field of use, but I have certainly seen worse.

 

Field test

Despite its modest purchase price, it boasts some features that I consider very interesting. in mere field use. First of all, the limited focus travel—not all Porro prism binoculars allow you to track a rapid flight with extreme speed. The images provided are also objectively more than satisfactory.
I think it could become a valid "all-purpose mule" for the most demanding enthusiasts who leave their TOP OF THE RANGE at home, to avoid giving it "to be eaten" by relatives and friends during trips to the beach or in the mountains.

The young enthusiast, however, will be able to benefit from an effective adventure companion, as long as these two factors are taken into account: the minimum eye relief, also hindered by the absence of foldable rubber lens hoods, and the interpupillary distance of 54 mm.

Strengths and weaknesses

Merits.

1. Fast focusing distance
2. Good protection against impacts and atmospheric agents
3. Better optical field than many binoculars in the same price range
4. Good overall construction

 

Defects

1. Non-folding or removable rubber lens hood.
2. The lens caps are not attached to the rubber.
3. Interpupillary distance insufficient for use with glasses.
4. Weight and size compared to other binoculars of the same format and price range.

In summary

The Yukon Futurus 8×42 WA is a perfect binocular entry-level For anyone who wants to get into nature observation without spending a lot of money. It's sturdy, waterproof, with good optical performance and a more than decent brightness. .

Acknowledgements

As always, I thank Michele Adinolfi, owner of Adinolfi SRL: a true gentleman, very kind, helpful, and patient. I especially thank him for allowing me to express my opinions without any pressure.

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Disclaimer.
This review was published in April 2018. Please note that the impressions are entirely personal and provided by Binomania testers in complete freedom, without any commercial obligation or relationship, and based on proven experience using these optical instruments. For any information, updates, and/or changes to prices, instrument features, authorized sales outlets, or other information in general, please contact Adinolfi directly.