Roof Prism Binocular Design

Heavier design zig zag shape not so easy to grip.

Roof prism binocular design.

There are several different roof prism combinations that can be used depending on the design and purpose and desired features of a roof prism binoculars. The roof prism lineup is feature rich including fully multi coated lenses and nitrogen gas filled making it waterproof and fogproof. The thompson center line of binoculars offers top level quality at a value packed price point. The most common today is schmid pechan s prism system.

Porro prism design has a jog in the light path through each barrel. Standard design in use till 1960s. Roof prism binoculars were compact light and comfortable to hold. They made the offset zig zag shape of the porro prism design look as old fashioned as propeller driven aircraft.

These strong binoculars come with a powerful 10x magnification and 42mm objective lens for better visibility of space. Roof prisms designs create an instrument that is narrower and more compact than porro prisms. There is also a difference in image brightness. Compact lightweight and comfortable to hold.

More expensive due to higher manufacturing costs. Porro prism binoculars will inherently produce a brighter image than schmidt pechan roof prism binoculars of the same magnification objective size and optical quality because this roof prism design employs silvered surfaces that reduce light transmission by 12 to 15. Roof prism design looks as if the light goes straight through.