Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 specs and field of view
On the Explorer WA ED-R 8x42, a 393 ft field of view matches the size median exactly, and the ED glass body weighs 23.7 oz against a 24.2 oz median.
- Field of view
- 393 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 17 mm
- Close focus
- 6.6 ft
- Weight
- 23.7 oz
- Exit pupil
- 5.3 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- 23.7 oz, lighter than the typical 24.2 oz
- 17 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Focuses as close as 6.6 ft
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Who the Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 suits
Watchers who want a median-wide view at a lower weight get both here. Close focus of 6.6 ft equals the size median, and the exit pupil works out to 5.3 mm for dusk.
At 17 mm, eye relief falls below the 18 mm median, so eyeglass wearers get less room than on longer-relief 8x42 models.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 aside, the most popular models of all sizes are in our best binoculars comparison. Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 is one of 75 models in the 8x42 binoculars comparison. Opticron lists it in the $200 to $500 price band, alongside the models in best binoculars under $500.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 specifications
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 figures as Opticron prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8x42 size.
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 42 mm |
| Field of view | 393 ft at 1,000 yd (131 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 7.5° |
| Apparent field of view | 60° * |
| Eye relief | 17 mm |
| Close focus | 6.6 ft (2 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 55 to 73 mm |
| Weight | 23.7 oz (672 g) |
| Extra-low dispersion glass | Yes |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof |
| Maker list price | $200 to $500 |
| Exit pupil | 5.3 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 18.3 * |
| Relative brightness | 27.6 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 against other 8x42 binoculars
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 shows 393 ft at 1,000 yd, at or above the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart. At 23.7 oz it is at or under the 24.2 oz median weight for the size.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 and its nearest rivals
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 next to the 8x42 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 | 393 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 23.7 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Athlon Midas G2 UHD 8x42 | 426 ft | 17.2 mm | 6.5 ft | 23.3 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Celestron Regal ED 8x42 | 420 ft | 22.5 mm | 4.9 ft | 27.1 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
| Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 | 426 ft | 17.2 mm | 6.5 ft | 23.5 oz | 5.3 mm | $200 to $500 | Check price on Amazon |
Other sizes of the Explorer WA ED-R
Opticron makes the Explorer WA ED-R in 4 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 | 8x42 | 393 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 23.7 oz | 5.3 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x32 | 8x32 | 408 ft | 18 mm | 7.5 ft | 16.4 oz | 4 mm | Check price on Amazon |
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 10x32 | 10x32 | 315 ft | 16 mm | 7.5 ft | 16.3 oz | 3.2 mm | |
| Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 10x42 | 10x42 | 339 ft | 15 mm | 8.2 ft | 23.3 oz | 4.2 mm | Check price on Amazon |
Opticron binoculars
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 questions
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42: does it work with glasses?
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 has 17 mm of eye relief, which meets the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42: what does 8x42 mean?
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 magnifies 8 times through 42 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 5.3 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42: how wide is the view?
Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 shows a view 393 ft wide at 1,000 yd, at or above the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart.