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

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  1. J

    SFL 8x30 worth it?

    I just have rather large hands and occasionally notice I seem confused as to where I can put them. That said, I can also use them 1 handed for a quick view which is kind of nice.
  2. J

    SFL 8x30 worth it?

    I'm not really sure why there are complaints/concerns of build quality; these seem just as well built as the SLC-Neu, SV, or Victory FL. Everything functions perfectly, no apparent manufacturing defects, they feel solid in hand, etc. Used these a bit more in the past few days and they really...
  3. J

    SFL 8x30 worth it?

    I just got my new SFL 8x30. I've used a lot of binoculars including the EL SV 8x32, Victory FL 8x32, Ultravid HD 8x32, Victory Pocket 8x25 and some other upper/mid-range 8x30ish binos. These are by far my favorite, despite limited time to use them. Crystal clear (duh), practically nonexistent...
  4. J

    Your favorite neck strap?

    I've had the best luck with the Rick Young Outdoors strap/harness. It can be moved and adjusted to fit multiple forms (e.g. regular neck strap, bandolier, harness), and is incredibly light/comfortable. I use it on all of my binoculars.
  5. J

    NL Pure 8x32 and NL Pure 10x32!

    Personally, if I bought the NL 32, it'd be in the burnt orange color. As I do a lot of backcountry work and tend to lay my stuff down as I'm maneuvering about, I occasionally have to remember where I sat my gear. My knives, tools, gloves, phone case, hats, etc. are often the blaze orange color...
  6. J

    Is it really worth buying an NL 8x42?

    I tried the NL briefly; it was a good pair of binoculars and probably top of the line with the Zeiss SF. That said, I wouldn't spend 3K for it, as I didn't find exceptionally better than the 8.5x42 SV EL, and really only superior due to the wider FoV (I didn't notice a difference in brightness...
  7. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 - First Impressions

    Agreed, his and a few others (Gijs, Holger, etc.) are some of the most well-reasoned and seemingly unbiased sources of information. Bulbmogul: No, I'm sure you aren't the only one. But many of us prefer to make an informed decision, rather than just spending thousands of dollars on the "latest...
  8. J

    Leica or Swarovski

    Close focus on the Trinovid HD is ~ 5 feet/1.5 meters. The Trinovid HD, to my knowledge, is made in Portugal ; however, Jan mentions Japan? In regards to the question, I don't think there would be 400£ difference between the HD and the SLC. The Trinovid is also lighter and more compact. When...
  9. J

    I think I bought fake Bushnells!!

    Hi John, I did some searching and I think they are legitimate. I noticed in all the "stock photos" there is no 'China' label, but in any actual real life pictures I could find (and there weren't many in my cursory review) they all featured the 'China' label as yours. My guess is the Bushnell...
  10. J

    I bought EL 12x50 for $2149.95 New!

    Yep, I'm always to be found wearing a hat during birding ventures, and this is one of the many reasons; the forehead rest is, to me, the most novel part of the binoculars and thus why I bothered mentioning it at all. Justin
  11. J

    SLC 7x42 arriving today

    Interesting that we find color a bit different, but it could just be due to differences in our eyes. Reading through old reviews of the SLC Neu series, it seems many people actually considered them one of the most color neutral binos of the time (transmission graphs seem to corroborate). I...
  12. J

    I bought EL 12x50 for $2149.95 New!

    I wouldn't jump ship to a NL just yet. While there are some who mention incredibly obvious improvements when compared to the EL, others seem slightly more reserved. Even though AllBinos gives the NL a great review, it isn't astronomically superior to the EL SV (or SF, EDG, etc.) in their...
  13. J

    SLC 7x42 arriving today

    Yep, I pretty much throw the RYO harness on all of my binoculars nowadays. I like the ease of converting it between a harness, strap, bandolier, etc. I need to buy some extra clips actually. Justin
  14. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 vs Carl Zeiss Victory SF 8x42

    Logically? No. The Zeiss Victory SF is one of the top binoculars around. The NL may be slightly superior in FoV, but all the other improvements, if they exist at all, will be too little to be of practical value. You'd basically have to sell your binoculars at probably 80% original value, then...
  15. J

    Short review of the Swarovski 10x42 NL Pure

    Thanks for what is in summation the most likely "reality" of the new NL : the best 'traditional style' binoculars on the market (which makes sense given their price and "newness"), but not exactly an earth shattering improvement over other top of the line models. I sure plan to try the 10s with...
  16. J

    What did you see in your binoculars today?

    Went hiking with the 7x42 SLC NEU at a local nature preserve; birding was a secondary concern. That said, I saw a few south-bound migrating warblers (Bay-breasted, Pine, Ovenbird, Black & White), various vireos, a Yellow-billed cuckoo, and many of our fall/winter residents. The Nature Preserve...
  17. J

    NL pure 12x42

    I'm a birder and hunter ; the two groups aren't (and need not be) mutually exclusive. That said, I would go with a 10x50/56 for most of my hunting needs. I would be concerned that a 12x42, with it's small exit pupil, would not gather sufficient light for certain conditions. Justin
  18. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 - First Impressions

    I agree on all points (excepting the comment on the SF, as I've never used it). My point re) wanting a comparison in glare between the 8.5x SV and the 8x NL was solely because the glare exhibited is the only real fault I have with the binoculars (aside from the slow focus which seems to be...
  19. J

    SLC 7x42 arriving today

    I've been using the 7x42 SLC recently somewhat regularly and directly comparing it with the 8.5x42 EL SV FP ; the SLC really holds its own in a lot of aspects. In terms of glare and focus speed, I prefer the SLC. The EL SV FP is brighter and slightly (and I do mean slightly) more color...
  20. J

    Leica service on Ultravids. Upgraded optics?

    I believe another user, maybe Pileatus, had his returned with HD+ optics? I think Swarovski has done this for users as well. Justin
  21. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 - First Impressions

    Thanks for the response, even if it isn't particularly clarifying! To note, in terms of Swarovsk binoculars, I've owned the 10x42 EL (pre-Swarovision), 8x32 SV, 8x42 SLC-HD, and currently own the 8.5x42 SV FP and borrow the 7x42 SLC NEU. The ONLY Swarovski I've seen show this significant level...
  22. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 - First Impressions

    Gijs, With the understanding that you (and many others) do not personally see any glare issues with the series, would you have any explanation as to why many others (such as myself) see glare with the EL SV? In particular, the 8x32 SV is the WORST binocular in terms of glare I have ever used or...
  23. J

    First Impressions 10 and 8 x NL

    Thanks, Tim. Your finding of glare is very concerning in terms of piquing my interest in the NL series. Glare is to me the one major improvement on the formula of the SV EL, and if that is not rectified I would see little/no reason to upgrade. The extra FoV and altered (improved?) ergonomics...
  24. J

    Swarovski NL 8x42 - First Impressions

    Henry - if you get a chance to compare glare between the NL and the SV, if possible, that would be great. The only fault I regularly find with the SV (although the 8.5x42 is much, much better for me than the 8x32) is glare and that would be the only real improvement that I'd desire, optically. I...
  25. J

    SLC 8x42 vs EL SV 8.5x42

    Hi Adael, I've owned the 8x42 SLC-HD (the original model with two toned armor) and currently own the 8.5x42 EL SV FP. I would say the EL is a bit more color neutral and has a flatter field with true edge to edge sharpness. The SLC is certainly no slouch and honestly if I had not been forced to...
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