Lanthorn Harrow 8x40 binoculars, with parallelogram mount

Specifications

Description

The Harrow 8x40 is a roof-prism binocular with 40 mm objectives and 8x magnification. The combination gives an exit pupil of 5 mm, which matches the pupil of most observers under a dark sky and keeps faint nebulae and open clusters bright. Under light-polluted skies the same exit pupil loses less contrast than a higher power would.

A true field of 6.5 degrees gives an apparent field of about 52 degrees, so the view feels open without drifting when you hold the binoculars by hand. Sweep slowly along the Milky Way from Cygnus through Cassiopeia, where star fields fill the eyepieces. Large targets such as the Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the Andromeda Galaxy fit comfortably within the field, and you can frame several at once to compare brightness and colour.

The BaK-4 roof prisms are coated on all air-glass surfaces and phase-corrected to give a sharp, neutral image. The 18 mm eye relief lets you keep glasses on and still see most of the field. The rubber eyecups roll down in two steps, so you can set them to suit your eye position. Nitrogen purging and O-ring seals keep the internal optics dry and free of fogging when the temperature changes during a session.

At 1050 g, the Harrow 8x40 is manageable for short sessions by hand. For longer sessions, rest your elbows on a wall or a car roof, or mount the binoculars on a tripod adapter. The central focus wheel and right-eye diopter adjust with smooth detents. The 2.5 m close focus also lets you examine nearby terrestrial scenes, which helps when you practise steady sweeps before a night of observing.

About this configuration

The Lanthorn Harrow 8x40 binoculars comes in several configurations, and the notes below explain what this particular combination includes. The parallelogram mount keeps the binoculars at eye level while you move them across the sky in smooth arcs. A parallelogram mount lets observers of different heights share the same view without aiming the binoculars again. The multi-coated version suits casual scanning of the night sky as well as daytime nature viewing.

Desert tan armor stays cooler in direct sunlight, which helps during daytime use before an evening session. The optics in the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. Compare the exit pupil in the specifications with your sky conditions and your age, since both affect how bright the view looks.

What's in the box

• Binoculars with neck strap
• Objective and eyepiece caps
• Soft carrying case
• Lens cleaning cloth
• Parallelogram mount with counterweight
• Tripod adapter

Compatibility notes

• The central tripod socket takes a standard L-shaped binocular adapter with a 1/4-20 thread.
• Fits most binocular harnesses and parallelogram mounts for 1 kg binoculars.