Northmere Fjord 8x42 ED binoculars

Specifications

Description

The Fjord 8x42 ED binoculars combine 8x magnification with 42 mm objectives and extra-low-dispersion glass in the objective lenses. The 8x power gives an exit pupil of 5.25 mm, which suits most observers under dark skies, and the 7.0-degree true field produces an apparent field of 56 degrees. That view is wide enough to frame the Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and large star fields along the Milky Way in Cygnus.

The ED elements reduce colour fringing around bright stars such as Vega, Capella, and Sirius, and the edge of the Moon appears more defined than in standard-glass models at the same power. The BaK-4 roof prisms carry phase-correction coatings, and all air-to-glass surfaces are multi-coated to keep transmission high. The 42 mm objectives gather less light than 50 mm designs, so fainter stars are slightly harder to see, but the 5.25 mm exit pupil matches the dilated pupils of many observers and keeps the sky background dark.

The 18 mm eye relief lets you keep your glasses on and still see the full field. The central focus wheel and right-eye diopter adjust with a smooth, low-friction action, and the twist-up eyecups lock at two positions. At 880 g, these binoculars are practical for hand-held sessions of up to half an hour. For longer sessions, rest your elbows on a wall or a car roof, or use a tripod adapter to keep the view steady.

Start with the Moon a few days after new, and note how the crater edges look along the terminator. Then sweep Cygnus, and return to the Double Cluster on a darker night to compare. Keep the objective caps on when the binoculars are not in use, and wipe the lens surfaces with the supplied cloth rather than a dry tissue.

About this configuration

The Northmere Fjord 8x42 ED binoculars comes in several configurations, and the notes below explain what this particular combination includes. This package contains the binoculars with their strap, lens caps, and case, without any mounting hardware. Binoculars alone suit hand-held scanning of the Milky Way, bright star clusters, and the phases of the Moon. With fully multi-coated optics, bright stars show less ghosting and the background sky looks darker.

The tan armor is easy to spot when you set the binoculars down on the grass in the dark. The optics in the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. Before you add a mount or adapter later, check the compatibility notes for the thread and fitting that this binocular uses.

What's in the box

• Binoculars with neck strap
• Objective and eyepiece caps
• Padded carrying case
• Lens cleaning cloth

Compatibility notes

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