Amazon.com: Customer reviews: OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS Roamer 8x21 DPC I Binocular (Silver)

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2013

I've owned these binoculars for about 8 years or so. I've been a binocular person since a boy (just turned 62 yesterday!), and own seven other pairs of binoculars...all more expensive...but none as bright, clear, compact, easy to focus and durable as the DPC-I. As a matter of fact, I just got in from viewing distant ocean views, and thought everyone I know who should own a decent pair of binoc's (but doesn't) ought to receive these as gifts next time a gift is due. Next time these DPC-I's drop in price, I'll snap up a few pairs to be delivered as those gifts. These pending gift purchases is the only reason I visited this Amazon site today.

These tiny binoc's are so good, I seldom even use my $200+ birders and my Bausch & Lombs and Steiner binoc's stay in the boat as mediocre back-ups. Perhaps the sole pair I own is just one of those quirk pairs where the alignment is just so...and the run of the mill DPC-I's are not as uniform in performance. I don't know. And, oh yes, I don't work for Olympus and usually am not this enthusiastic about any product simply because most products don't stand the test of time and don't perform as anticipated.

In closing, let me add that my DPC-I's are in near daily use!

12 people found this helpful

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Shashank Dabral

What a marvelous little gem! Great traveling companion

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

These binoculars are small, so small its hard to believe that they are not toy binoculars. They are also very light weight which leads to the fact that the build quality isn't all that amazing. However, for the price, they are a real steal. The optics are really good, something on par with what one would expect from a brand like Olympus. The binoculars come with eye cups, a small case and a strap (which only attaches to one side). The binoculars (like all other) fold down the middle and can be adjusted to fit different face contours. There is a standard focus ring on the top and its quite sturdy and stable.
All said, I find these pair of binoculars to be the perfect travel companion. In this age when all airlines charge for checked in luggage and allow minimal cabin baggage, it can be daunting to fit in a laptop/Dslr +lens and some clothing in the cabin baggage(s). I'm glad this one isn't adding to the weight or taking up precious cargo real estate. (More room for those large L series canon lens :-))
I bought this initially as a gift for my nephew, but liked it so much that I ordered one more for the other nephew

The only drawback, the small size may be a deterrent to someone with large hands or a really large face (Though I don't think that a larger face usually leads to that large a distance between the eyes, but I'm sure there exists a man out there who can perhaps find these too small to fit)

3 people found this helpful

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Portnoy

Decent compacts for the price

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2004

Verified Purchase

I gave this item 4 stars based on it's price. Even for $55 list this wouldn't be such a bad buy, but you can get them for substantially less. I am not a binocular expert by any means, but I'll give you my opinion. The binoculars are lightweight and small. Probably even smaller than you would envision from the dimensions. They come with a soft case (with a belt attachment) and a strap. The strap only connects to one side, so if you wear them around your neck they hang sideways. They have a diopter adjustment which adjusts the focus to each eye, and a central focus knob. They are split down the middle and fold a bit to adjust to the width of your eyes. The build is definitely 'plastic-y' which is one reason they are so lightweight. They say "Made In China" on the bottom, which for some reason cheapens their appearance a bit. Comparing the performance of these to a $100 pair of fullsize binocs I bought my father in law, I'd have to say they are just okay. Of course, due the lens diameter & cheaper optics they aren't as bright or as clear. The images also seem to lack dimentionality. A tree, for instance, appears flat almost like cut out of construction paper. But it is still raised above the background, Giving you the feeling of watching a cheap 3D movie. The diopter adjustment is a bit stiff, making it difficult to fine tune. It also isn't stepped, so it can go out of adjustment. Finally, the lens covers fall off very easily.
Does this all mean that I regret buying them? Not at all. They were inexpensive, and unlike my father-in-laws large heavy binocs, they are lightweight & small enough to wear on your belt or put in your wife's pocketbook. The image quality is decent (if not good). They wont look ridiculous at a play or a concert & are probably decent all around traveling binoculars (for casual use). And although they are not weather or water proof they are cheap enough to replace.

135 people found this helpful

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James Blake

Fine binoculars at a great price.

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

I've had these for about 9 years so I thought it about time to review them. I bought these mainly for backpacking but they have become my most used binoculars. We have Nikon, Zeis, and Bushnell but because they are so small and compact I use these little Olympus binoculars daily watching birds on our property. They go with me on almost all hikes and outing.
I think the optics are more than adequate for such small inexpensive binocular. They are solidly made also. I hate to admit it but I've dropped them onto our tiled floor twice, each time landing so hard that the plastic covers popped off. But each time I looked through them and they still worked fine, snapped the cover back on they were good to go.
These are a little worn now but I'm sure they will be with me for many more years. A great purchase.

One person found this helpful

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Ann

Great little pair of binoculars

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013

Verified Purchase

4.5 stars. Amazing how these little binoculars work so well. Very easy to adjust, view is extremely clear. I wear contacts so I'm not sure how user friendly someone with glasses would find them. Bought them for a weekend concert. Should have received them the day of the concert but they were delivered the day before (thank you Amazon!). Had decent concert seats, good enough to see who's on stage but with these binoculars the vision was so clear you could read the detail on the bands t-shirts and see the player's eye color. These fit easily into a smaller purse. Soft case, strap included. Have to agree with another reviewer on the lens caps. They do come off rather easily so be careful or it would be easy to lose one/both. Was debating between this pair and one slightly higher priced. Glad I chose these, for the money spent, the convenience, size, view, I'm very pleased with this purchase.

4 people found this helpful

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Wish Giver

Good Buy For The Money

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2013

Verified Purchase

These binoculars are a good buy for the money and they perform well also. I used them when the circus was in town and everyone made fun of me because I used them during the whole performance. I found it hard to put them down because I could clearly see the facial expressions of the performers and didn't want to miss anything. They are compact and lightweight - nothing fancy, but do the job you would expect for this price. The seller delivered on time as promised and I would recommend to family and friends.

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Story Lover

Good buy for the price

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2012

Verified Purchase

After researching the ones for toddlers, I settled on this set of binoculars for my two year old granddaughter. She likes to go out with her dad to look at birds, visit the zoo and such. She loves his and now has one of her own. The magnification works ok and that was an issue with the ones for toddlers. It stayed in one piece and will be used under supervision. Overall, I am pleased with the product.

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Fartblossom

Not what they used to be.

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

Bought these to replace a pair of 10x21 I bought in Mexico on a cruise years ago. Always loved them. Thought this would be an exact replacement except for the magnification. I figured 8x would have a little more light gathering and I was right. I have nothing to complain about with the optics. Very clear.

I am however, disappointed in the fact that these are smaller and lighter and generally cheaper feeling than the pair I had before. I don't know if the "Roamer" line has been lightened or if the ones I had might have been "Trackers" but they looked exactly like these.

All in all I wish I had spent 20 more dollars for the Olympus Porro Prism Trackers instead.

2 people found this helpful

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Edna Kunkel

Great for Drawing from Life

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2011

Verified Purchase

I've been looking for something to help improve the quality of my still life artwork. Little did I know that some of the issues that I HAD with creating my work was related to my ability to see. These handy, lightweight Poros prism binoculars do a great job indoors and out, letting me successfully see things that are a little further away...and translate that information into details that I would have otherwise missed. I'm generally using these glasses to see things that are placed between 6 feet and 15 feet away. I already wear bifocals and have some other visual issues, so the fact that this pair has a diopter adjustment sealed the deal for me. The only potential down side is that they seem to flatten the field of view, but for translating a 3-dimensional object into a 2-dimensional painting, this flattening might even be considered a positive feature.

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Too cute!

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2014

Verified Purchase

I can only describe these binoculars as 'cute': but they perform, too. They're tiny, featherweight, and seem to disappear into a shirt pocket, yet they offer greater clarity and light transmission than almost all other 21mm binoculars that I've tried (and I've tried a lot). Clearly, Olympus has used some decent coatings on these tiny lenses. I reserve them for home and vehicle use, because they're not weatherproof: for extended carry when rain or cold are expected, I'll rely on my Bushnell H2O waterproof/fogproof 8x25 unit, or a larger pair of binoculars. Nevertheless, these are just so darn cute that they're going to remain in my collection, if only to hear the delighted 'squeeee!' of young ladies who try them.

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OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS Roamer 8x21 DPC I Binocular (Silver)

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