Kowa Genesis 10x33

Kowa Genesis 10x33: with XD lenses and C³coating
The Kowa Genesis 10x32 binoculars are compact binoculars with top-notch features! Despite its compact dimensions, you still have a super bright and sharp image.

Filled with nitrogen: waterproof and fully dustproof
The Kowa is completely filled with nitrogen so that the inner pressure is higher than the outside pressure. This keeps dirt, water and other contaminants out.

Prominar XD Lens: complete elimination of chromatic aberration (colour dispersion on the edges of the image field)
The Genesis uses "Prominar Fluorite glass". Fluorite glass guarantees maximum light transmission, and, thus, a clearer image. The details are even more visible and give an even sharper picture, something ordinary glass cannot give. Fluorite has as a feature that the dispersion is incredibly low, so vague colours are fully eliminated. With fluorite glass, light transmission is 99%; the following diagram makes this clear.

Kowa C³ Coating: 99% light transmission

For all Genesis models, Kowa have applied a so-called C³coating to the prisms inside the binoculars. This causes the light transmission of the prisms to increase to 99% across the entire light spectrum (400 to 700nm). Not only does this yield extremely bright and razor-sharp images, you also get a very natural colour reproduction. The diagrams above show the reflection of the coating compared to a conventional aluminium coating.

Twist-up / foldable eyepieces (eyecaps)
The eyepieces can be twisted up so that the binoculars come closer to the eye; this is a must for those wearing glasses because normally they would see less (as the spectacles are between the eye and binoculars).

Minimum focusing distance: 2.5m
As the Kowa is able to already focus from 2.5m it is suitable for virtually all applications.

Reviews and opinions on the Kowa 10x33 Genesis
There are several reviews about the Kowa Genesis 8x33 (equivalent to 10x33 but a 10 magnification instead of only 8x magnification). It has been received well by several critics; at birdforum the Zeiss FL 8x32, along with the Swarovski EL 8x32 were compared to the Kowa 8x33. The full review can be read by clicking on the link to the bird forum, but here is a small summary:

• Looking at the quality of the image: all three were very good, the Kowa was perhaps slightly better
• Looking at the ergonomics: the Swarovski wins, with its open construction it is very easy to hold
• Looking at the warranty: Kowa has lifetime warranty, as well as Swarovski, Zeiss has a more limited warranty. At Swarovski there are "no questions asked" and therefore it has the best guarantee.
• Looking at the price: Kowa stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Kowa is no less than 900 pounds cheaper than comparative brands.
• For more reviews please look at this page, or this page, or the pages of field&stream and opticstalk

Technical differences between Kowa Genesis XD 10x33, 8x33, 10.5x44 and 8.5x44
Below is a short summary of the technical differences between the various Kowa Genesis XD viewers