Pentax 6.5x21 U-Series Papilio II Binoculars

Small and good binoculars – As a bird watcher for years I have three binoculars - ranging from basic to good to excellent (gradually buying better ones over the years). They are in the 8 to 10 magnification range. I decided to get a smaller pair to be able to focus on closer objects such as butterflies, insects and plants (for which a lower magnification is better) and… Read more

bought a Pentax 6.5x21 U-Series Papilio II Binocular.

For me they took a little getting used to because of their compact size (not their smaller magnification) and their design. After three different hour long walks they grew on me and I now take them out often, usually with a larger ‘birding’ binocular. The small eyepieces took a little getting used to, and they do need to be carefully adjusted and centred to ensure the image falls exactly on the pupil of the eye. The lower magnification does make for less wobble.

They are small and lightweight - light enough to often carry them in my hand for an hour or so (to quickly bring them to my eyes) when needed. I am really enjoying getting another perspective that focuses on smaller, nearer and different objects - ones that my usual binoculars are not well suited to. This I think is their real forte.

At times I use them for birds as well, particularly if I am looking at nearer objects and an interesting bird flies into view at middle distances. If it is visible only fleetingly these are fine to (usually) be able to identify it, or at least narrow down the options. If it settles into easy view I switch to my other binoculars.

I have also used them for short periods of star gazing to get an initial wider field of view of sky areas with planets, star constellations, clusters and nebula. The disk of Jupiter was quite distinct, but I could not pick out any of the four big moons. I (just) picked out two with my 10x43 birding binoculars. Jupiter was in opposition and I had a dark sky site, so seeing conditions were ideal. A challenge for people with keener eyesight? It must be possible for some people to see those moons (under good conditions and a dark sky) with these binoculars! I will keep trying.

Other sites provide more technical details, I am just giving my general overall impressions. For me they work well at close range, particularly under 10 – 15 metres. The price range is at the low end for quality binoculars (you do usually get what you pay for). They do seem a little cheap and feel a bit like an all plastic construction, but so far have worked well enough.

At close range (say under 5 metres) views were sharp. The fine texture on spiders, their webs (and victims), butterflies, dragonflies and plants are bought out well. They were also impressive at very short range - under two, and even one, metres (an area the big binoculars could not compete in at all). Very good in those areas.

For me they are more average if you are looking at distances – but that is something the bigger binoculars are better suited to anyway. The low magnification, and small objective lenses, are inherently a limitation. Objects were less bright and not as sharp as with full size binoculars. Perhaps some of that impression is my aging eyes.

It is often a ‘pros and cons’ matter with many aspects of optics. If you get improvements in one area others may drop off. I would not recommend these binoculars for more distant viewing generally – there they are adequate, but little more.

Best suited for short distance viewing. It adds other perspectives to the more usual binocular viewing - which it greatly complements. While adequate it does have limitations for distance viewing.

Very good for mostly viewing objects at closer range (this is their great strength); fair for viewing more distant objects. Overall good value for the money.