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Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars

Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars

Accepted thinking for hunting binos indicates a spec of 8x42 is about right as it offers enough magnification for good target ID and low light performance, with a low enough power, size and weight for unsupported use. But there are times when you could do with a bit more; if so then get a set of 10x50s or bigger. But here you are running into trouble with too much mag, so is the answer two sets of binos? Weaver does not think so as they now offer a set of variables with their Grand Slam 8-16x42.

Dial-a-mag

Like a variable rifle scope the principle is identical, with each optical barrel having a rotary power ring that allows you to zoom up/down from x8 to x16. The build uses parallel tubes with roof prisms and the design is compact, being about the size of a standard set of 8x42 binos. There is a strong, central hinge with a deep and wide focusing drum at the rear. The eye cups twist up with four positive positions to suit the normally sighted and glasses wearers. The finish is black rubber with textured, tan coloured panels for added grip, which gives a pleasing contrast! The build shows phase-coated lenses, nitrogen-purging and comes with a neck strap and soft rubber eyepiece cover. Though we are looking at the variable model, the Grand Slam range also offers the following specs – 8x32, 8.5x45, 10x32, 10x50, 10.5x45 and 12x50.

Variable binoculars have been done before and some examples have a power lever that adjusts the magnification on both barrels at the same time, not so the Grand Slam. Selection is manual and by the deep, slotted zoom rings under the eye cups, which are marked 8x, 12x and 16x for reference. These are essential as selecting x8 in one tube and x12 in the other really throws off your view.

By Comparison

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Cleverly Weaver have included click stop positions on the zoom rings and it’s easy enough to keep the binos up to your eyes and dial in the magnification equally. With such a short optical system we wondered what clarity would be like at the various powers? To their credit focus was sharp at all setting though the focusing movement was very critical by comparison to fixed power binos, which show perhaps a little more latitude.
Colour balance and image clarity/crispness was as good as a set of Kahles 8x42s we used for control, though there was a little bit of noticeable peripheral distortion on the Grand Slams but not a lot. Low light performance was good at x8, but dropped off a little as the magnification was increased. In general use this variable system does have its uses and offers good flexibility especially for longer range identification and observation.

• Name: Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x42 binoculars

• Price: £549

• Contact: Edgar Brothers Ltd, 01625 613177

• For: A flexible observation system

• Against: A variable system such as this is always a bit of a compromise

• Verdict: Worth a look

  • Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars - image {image:count}

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  • Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Weaver Grand Slam 8-16x24 Binoculars - image {image:count}

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