Quillon Heron 8x60 binoculars, with tripod adapter

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

This listing covers one configuration of the Quillon Heron 8x60 binoculars, defined by its package, optical coatings, armor color, and edition year. The included tripod adapter lets you fix the binoculars to a photo tripod for steadier, more relaxed views. With the adapter on a tripod, hand shake disappears, which makes faint stars and close double stars easier to see. The multi-coated version suits casual scanning of the night sky as well as daytime nature viewing.

Slate gray armor uses a slightly harder rubber compound that resists scuffs from tripod clamps and cases. The 2023 edition uses the same prisms and objectives as later years, with small differences in the eyecups. 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
• L-shaped tripod adapter

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.