Sightmark Solitude 12x50 Binoculars

Twelve-times magnification: you see further, and you need support. This is the deliberate trade-off of the Solitude 12x50, and it is worth explaining before purchasing.

What 12x implies

Hand shake is amplified as much as the image. At 12x, it becomes visible: for long-term observation, plan for support—resting your elbows, a bag, a tree, or a tripod. In exchange, you can make out details that are out of reach for a 10x pair.

Brightness, compared to the 10x42

The exit pupil is 50 divided by 12, or 4.17 mm. This is practically identical to the 4.2 mm of the 10x42 Solitude in the catalog: the larger objective lens is not used to gain light, it is used to accommodate the extra magnification without losing any.

Nitrogen purging

Optics are sealed and nitrogen-filled: no more water vapor inside, so no fogging on the internal surfaces. IP67 rating: dustproof, waterproof, and shock-resistant.

The optics

Roof prisms, BaK4 glass, for a wide, fully illuminated field of view. The lenses receive a BMC anti-reflective coating.

0.72-inch eye relief, or approximately 18 mm: enough to observe while wearing glasses.

The diopter adjustment of -4 to +4 is set on the right eyepiece.

The format

880 g, 165 x 132 x 58 mm. Polymers with a rubberized coating.

Delivered with a neck strap, lens caps, a shoulder harness, and a carrying bag. Target shooting, observation, game spotting, and surveillance.