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  1. S

    90s era B&L Discoverer 7x35 porro any good?

    Ok, now it's 2-1/2 years on and I finally bought a pair of Discoverers, 7x35's! Condition wise they're really clean. Probably 99%. Super clean glass, look and smell like new. (Now when I say smell, they do have that slight decaying enamel smell you get from Japanese bins). What do I think...
  2. S

    Swarovski spotting scope

    I think you gents have misunderstood my point. Match many florite spotters resolution wise, yes exceed no. I think maybe with that line I did get carried away typing quickly. The AT80s are very sharp for standard glass, and in the old tests you'll find online from the era you'll see they...
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    Swarovski spotting scope

    I think I'd have to disagree with nearly everyone here. The Older Swarovski AT80 scopes are excellent. Resolution wise they were tops, even the standard non florite models were superbly sharp. There was a time when Swarovski actually claimed the AT80s were so sharp they didnt need a Florite...
  4. S

    The Kowa Eyepiece Compatabiliy Thread

    While not "Kowas" there are 2 B&L scopes that accept Kowa 60mm class eyepieces. The Premier 77 Florite (With slightly larger 0 ring) and the B&L HDR.
  5. S

    Optolyth: Breitband Vergütung, Ceralin and Ceralin-Plus?

    Tringa45 I would gamble that statement means Optolyth is probably out of business? I recently purchased a pair of 8x30 Alpins that seem to be pretty handy little bins, but the grease is quite stiff...So I guess I'm on my own with those.
  6. S

    Optolyth: Breitband Vergütung, Ceralin and Ceralin-Plus?

    I don't believe Opotolyth has changed anything in regards to coatings in the past 30 years. The Ceralin Plus appears brighter from what I remember, but but by much. All the Optolyths I've used had a tinted view. Not so much amber as Russian glass, but more of a brownish yellow. Very good...
  7. S

    Nikon Premier 8x32 questions

    Pyrtle, that's partly my blame. I guess they're 8x32 roof, not 8x30! They must have different names over time. I believe it's the same as the LXL, although it says Premier/Nikon on the body and no mention of LXL. I am down to one roof, a Docter 8x42 B-C/F. I might like to pick up the...
  8. S

    Nikon Premier 8x32 questions

  9. S

    Nikon Premier 8x32 questions

    I happened across a pair of Nikon Premier 8x30's that kinda peaked my interest. They're NOS 8x30's marked on the body PREMIER rather than LXL. I did get a few mins to look through them, they seemed to have a very easy view and great focuser. The image showed a tinge of warmth to it, but I...
  10. S

    Elite

    I had a pair of Bushnell Elites for a while, but they were 8x43. There were 2 different Elites, the 8x43 and later 8x42 with a solid bridge. I tried the 8x42's in a store while I had mine. I found the 8x43's to be somewhat superior, even though they were the 'slightly' older version. I felt...
  11. S

    Anyone still using the B&L Elite 8x50 (roof looking) Porro?

    Hi Yarrellii, I might share a bit. I briefly had a pair in 2020. The 8x50s are very sharp and bright, but having what I felt was a tunnel like view. They were 7deg, although I wonder if maybe a bit less? Resolution was absolutely outstanding as was also brightness and the colors superb...
  12. S

    Scope

    Sounds like some great plans. But really to buy such an expensive scope as the Meopta or Swarovski to use once or twice a year, maybe risking travel damage, including airline mishandling? I think you'd be better served to purchase a 2nd hand scope in excellent condition online somewhere and...
  13. S

    Bushnell Spacemaster 2 dating.

    Hmm, the number on the retaining ring trick didn't work on this scope I think :) That's a later production Spacemaster 2. A great all around scope that still hold's its own. I'd look for a fixed eyepiece. Bshnell, B&L Balscope and thread on Kowa eyepieces fit. Some Opticron eyepieces...
  14. S

    Bushnell Spacemaster 2 dating.

    Hi Tony, Seems like I remember there being a serial number on the objective retaining ring, first 2 numbers being the date of mfg? (Not the part no starting with 61-XXXXX). Could be wrong, been a while since I've looked at a Spacemaster 2. The Japanese made scopes are pretty good optically...
  15. S

    Russian Komz 8x30 question..

    18000bph, can you post a couple photos of your bins on here?
  16. S

    Russian Komz 8x30 question..

    Binastro I've seen some really good "fakes" of the 8x30 BPC's....Really good, right down to the serial numbers... The only give away is that the Chinese clones don't have the indicator line for the IPD angle plate....Amazing they overlooked it....Chinese versions are more cold and not so warm..
  17. S

    Russian Komz 8x30 question..

    Pretty likely your 8x30's were made on some of the Zeiss machinery dismantled after the war. Russia had an optical industry before and during the war, a fair amount Zeiss sourced/based anyway. I've had a few of those 8x30's and I found the models from the 60's the be mechanically superior...
  18. S

    Cabela's branded optics - a warranty warning!

    That's pretty lame overall Eitanaltman...In quality Binos that's hardly broken in. I bet Meopta will work on them. Maybe not even charge for it. When it comes to Optics at Cabelas I think it's a rather unique situation. Cabelas has sold optics for generations, often with their own brand name...
  19. S

    Repairing TSN-3? have I been scammed?

    Robson, that sounds like an interesting project. I wonder how the nikon 30x ep's perform? I've not had the luck to try out any fixed nikon eyepieces... I bought a kowa adapter for my 823, and I use the 660 series eyepieces I already have. Bought mine for $80 from optics planet. Expensive, but...
  20. S

    B&L Discover 7x35 vs Swift 804 hr/5?

    Ok, I am looking at some classic older porros. 1) B&L Discoverer 7x35 2)Swift 804 hr/5 So, how do these 2 models compare? Which is sharper? Better field of view? comfort? Build quality? I've read the discoverers are basically a Zephyr with FMC. I can pick up either for about the same...
  21. S

    90s era B&L Discoverer 7x35 porro any good?

    Hi Steve, I appreciate your reply. I've never tried any of the lower end Nikons before, although there is a shop I know that stocks Nikons...Maybe I'll try one out of they have on hand. Been shopping for a good classic porro CF bin. I've tried to like Roofs, but not many I find appeal to me...
  22. S

    Optolyth help please

    Hello, I had a TBS80HD for a short while. I believe the eyepieces are the same thread . I had the feeling that Optolyth has never really changed anything design wise. Ebay is full of new Eyepieces. 20x is $225, 30xW is $270 plus shipping. I had the new zoom on mine. I don't like zooms, but...
  23. S

    90s era B&L Discoverer 7x35 porro any good?

    Hello, came across a pair of B&L Discoverer bins in 7x35. Curious about them. for sale online so I can't really test in hand. Are they optically bright and sharp? How do they compare to the older zephyr? (It looks like maybe just an updated zephyr). What is a reasonable market value? These...
  24. S

    Repairing TSN-3? have I been scammed?

    Those 823/824s are pretty sharp scopes. I recently bought a like new in box TSN 823M from Australia. Had to pay $860 for it and around $60 shipping. Overall I'd say it was worth it. The original 823 had the bad paint issue..I think they all get it. I've seen Fujinons with the same paint...
  25. S

    Repairing TSN-3? have I been scammed?

    Hello JRING, Surely it's more than just a fold down or twist up eyecup difference on the 30xw? I measured mine and the lens measures 31mm....How wide is the lens on the old ep? In the photos it looks considerably smaller, maybe 25mm?
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