| Updated Summer 2020 | Model Viking Peregrine ED 8×42 | 42mm | Nitrogen Filled | Waterproof | 600gm | RRP £319-£349 | 10-Year Guarantee |

The Technical Stuff:

Specifications:

Viking PEREGRINE 8×42 (also available as 10×42)
Magnification 8
Objective lens diameter 42mm
ED lens Yes
Minimum focus distance 2m
Field of view (degrees) 7.0o
Field of view (m/1000m) 117
Eye Relief (mm) 20
Waterproof Yes (1m/5min)
Nitrogen filled Yes
Guarantee (Years) 10
Weight (g) 600
Dimensions (mm) Lx151 Wx127 Hx48

Key Features:

• Extra Low Dispersion glass objective lenses
• Fully multicoated optics
• Dielectric coated, phase corrected BAK 4 Prisms
• Smooth rubber armour & fully waterproof
• Twist down eyecups for spectacle wearers
• Supplied with rainguard, case and strap
• Weight: 8×42 600g; 10×42 610g
• 10 year guarantee

Also available in 10×42 and 8×32

Viking’s View:

Our latest high-performance binocular. The Extra low Dispersion glass used in lens construction together with the multi-coating and phase coated prisms give bright and crystal-clear images whatever the conditions. The binocular is finished in smooth rubber armour and is really comfortable to hold.

(NB The latest models now have a metal eye-cup)

Other Views:

The Peregrine appears to represent good value.
Mike Alibone for Birdguides

Contrast is good; image remains bright in low light levels; chromatic aberration apparent in outer edge of field
Richard Campey at Nature Shop

… believe they represent fantastic value for money
Feather Optics

Fatbirder View:

I tried these out in spring-like weather at my local reserve and was generally impressed with the feel and performance of these binoculars which are Viking’s new flagship offering. At around £330 they are there to compete with the best middle priced optics and they certainly offer excellent value for money.

I like the feel of the rubberised wrapping and the strap, rain-guard, and case all look the part. I find I am increasingly keeping my specs on when using binoculars so tend not to use the eye-relief… I’ve seen this described elsewhere as a bit clunky and not quite up to the quality of the rest of the kit. I found it easy to adjust the shape and focus whenever ‘hawkeye’ let me have them!

This was telling as we only took one other pair of binoculars with us and they are top of the range Meopta’s at nearly three times the price. Optically, they are as much better as one would expect but Maggie was very happy with the optical quality of the Viking’s pair and prefer them because they are so much lighter. She was generally impressed and thought them clear and bright.

I found that they certainly let in plenty of light but I found the image on the pale side and the image not as crisp as my Swaro’s, but then they cost literally four times as much. I’m no expert but thought there was some chromatic distortion at the edge of the image, but not enough to distract or mar one’s viewing.

Given sound optical quality, pleasant handling and good all round performance they offer, in my view, more than you have a right to expect for the price!

Review Optics Loaned by Viking Spring 2019 & Summer 2020