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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by Buff1ehead

  1. Buff1ehead

    Case for EL 8x32?

    I carry mine in the small size neoprene covers by Op/tech. A good snug fit that would be too tight if the neoprene were not so stretchy. And they come in camo.
  2. Buff1ehead

    Car binoculars

    In my Sprinter van I keep a Mark I pair of Swaro 8x32s. The Mark II version is my main working bin, so it's usually with me when I'm camping. The older Mark I is there as a backup or a loaner for research assistants. It saves the day at least twice a year. In my boat I keep a Kowa BD II 6.5x32...
  3. Buff1ehead

    Zeiss T*FL 8x32 v Zeiss Conquest 8x32 - discuss!

    I have the EL 8x32, the EL SV 8x32, and the 8x32 Conquest. I find the Swarovision pair to be superior to the other two, but feel that the Conquests are comparable to the original EL 8x32.
  4. Buff1ehead

    Would you get an NL Pure 32mm if you already had a 42, or maybe something else?

    I have both versions of the EL 8x32s, and in the Mark II version the rolling ball was tamed, at least to my eyes. (I understand that I am less sensitive to the phenomenon than others.) I actually prefer the EL 8x32 SV to the NL because of the greater eye relief.
  5. Buff1ehead

    Zeiss SFL 8x30?

    I look forward to your review. A big factor for me, which I haven't seen discussed here, is ruggedness. I spend long days afield wearing bins as part of my research, and only the hardiest bins hold up to that much use. I'm strongly attracted to the light weight, but hope that they will hold...
  6. Buff1ehead

    Zeiss SFL 8x30?

    These specs just arrived by email from Zeiss Performance Magnification 8 × Effective lens diameter 30 mm Light transmission 90% Exit pupil diameter 3.75 mm Twilight factor 15.5 Field of view at 1,000 m (yds) 142 m (426 ft) Subjective viewing angle 63° Ww Close focusing...
  7. Buff1ehead

    Victory FL 7x42 vs Victory SF 8x42

    I prefer the 7x42's. They are the most immersive binoculars I've ever used, especially when birding inside a forest. As a bonus, they are much easier to keep stable when pelagic birding from a boat than binoculars of greater power. The biggest drawback is that they are relatively heavy in...
  8. Buff1ehead

    Zeiss SFL 8x30?

    So true. It's the students who show up with 10x42's who have the hardest time locating the birds. Happens in every class I teach. What's the point in having more power if it means you'll miss twice as many birds?
  9. Buff1ehead

    The new ZEISS SFL - Maximum Image Quality. Minimum Weight.

    Agreed. Information on the forthcoming SFL 8x30 would be greatly appreciated.
  10. Buff1ehead

    Large hawk - San Mateo County, California

    That's a classic cooper's hawk profile. Note the delta on the outer rectrices.
  11. Buff1ehead

    Zeiss SFL 8x30?

    Same here! I still have the 7x42 Victory, the most immersive bins ever. But they weigh a ton. I'd order 7x30 SFLs sight unseen.
  12. Buff1ehead

    Victory FL vs SF

    I couldn't agree more about the FL 7x42's. They are the most immersive binoculars ever! Of all my bins, they remain one of the two favorites, especially in the arboreal environment.
  13. Buff1ehead

    Swarovski el 8x32

    I have both, and I find the MK II version to be significantly better, especially in terms of eye relief. That said, my old MK I's are not slouches. I keep them around to loan to research assistants in the field, and they've put up with a ton of use over the years.
  14. Buff1ehead

    How many ditched their spotter for higher powered bino’s?

    I've owned 50x56 bins and found them less useful that a scope/binocular combination for birds in flight. In the past year I've picked up a Swarovski BTX scope, and it's absolutely amazing. You lose the ability to zoom, and there's a substantial weight penalty, but the resolution is unmatched.
  15. Buff1ehead

    Could someone who's compared both discuss why one would choose the Swaro CL Companion 8x30 vs Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 or vice versa?

    Oops. My mistake. My wife has the Swaro CL 8x30s, not 25s.
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