Quillon Heron 8x60 binoculars, with photo tripod

Specifications

Description

The Heron 8x60 is a roof-prism binocular with 60 mm objectives and 8x magnification. The 8x power gives an exit pupil of 7.5 mm, which matches the pupil of a dark-adapted eye under a moonless sky. The 7.5-degree true field gives an apparent field of 60 degrees, wide enough to frame the Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and broad sections of the Milky Way in one view.

At 1050 g, the Heron 8x60 is practical for short sessions held by hand, but a reclining chair, a window ledge, or a tripod with a binocular adapter steadies the view for longer sessions. The central focus wheel and right-eye diopter adjust smoothly, and the 17 mm eye relief lets you keep eyeglasses on while you see the full field. The 3.0 m close focus also lets you examine nearby subjects on the ground, such as a bird on a wire or a distant rooftop, before you turn to the sky.

The BaK-4 roof prisms are phase-coated, and the objective and eyepiece lenses carry multi-layer coatings that reduce reflection and keep the image bright. The housing is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed, so the optics resist internal fogging when you move the binoculars between warm and cold air. Water resistance covers rain and dew, but the binoculars should not be submerged.

For a first session, start with the Moon a few days after new, then sweep the Milky Way from Cygnus toward Cassiopeia. Note which open clusters you can see, and return to them on a darker night to compare how their stars change with sky conditions. Observers whose maximum pupil is under 6 mm may find that part of the 7.5 mm exit pupil goes unused, so a 10x60 can give a useful alternative where higher magnification is needed.

About this configuration

All configurations of the Quillon Heron 8x60 binoculars share the same magnification and objective size; the options below change the package and finish. This package adds a photo tripod and an adapter, so you can hold the binoculars steady without further purchases. A tripod works well for objects at low and medium altitude, though viewing near the zenith becomes awkward on one. Fully multi-coated optics treat every air-to-glass surface, which raises light transmission and image contrast.

The tan armor is easy to spot when you set the binoculars down on the grass in the dark. The 2025 edition keeps the same optical figures as the earlier years of the Heron line. 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
• Soft carrying case
• Lens cleaning cloth
• L-shaped tripod adapter
• Aluminum photo tripod with pan head

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 1.2 kg.