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

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  1. Hermann

    Neoprene Cover Reommendation

    Does the ATS-65 HD really need a stay-on case? I personally wouldn't use one with that scope at all. All stay-on cases are a bit of a hassle in the field IME. Hermann
  2. Hermann

    Why do you need a wide field of view for birding?

    Part of the problem may well be the small exit pupil. I find size matters when it comes to exit pupils, and 2.5mm is well below what I'd call acceptable for regular birding. Hermann
  3. Hermann

    Kowa 99 Update?

    Two examples I've come across lately: One scope, brand new, "alpha", 80-90mm class. I met the owner on my local patch, and we did what birders always do when there's nothing much about: we compared optics. And it became clear very quickly that he had got a lemon. At 50-60x my 60mm scope was...
  4. Hermann

    Request advice on Nikon Fieldscope

    One interesting little fact about the Nikon Fieldscopes is that the 60mm and the 78/82mm models are not only very rugged but also don't seem to suffer all that much from sample variation. We've got altogether six 60mm ED Fieldscopes (EDII, EDIIA, EDIII, EDIIIA) and an ED82 in the family, and...
  5. Hermann

    Request advice on Nikon Fieldscope

    Alexis: Great to see you back posting here! There aren't that many people left who know (and use) the good old Nikon Fieldscopes. A couple of interesting points you mentioned: The 30x WF is the 16/24/30x WA, right? Interesting that you prefer it over the MC and especially the DS. I'm the same...
  6. Hermann

    Why do you need a wide field of view for birding?

    Well, the Habicht does have some significant advantages over the 12x42: An even brighter and very contrasty image with absolutely true colours. Basically no glare at at, not even in difficult lighting. A (much) larger exit pupil which makes using the binocular very, very easy even when you're...
  7. Hermann

    Product Review: The Sky Rover Banner Cloud 8 x 42 Binocular

    Got any proof of that? For instance x-rays of a Swaro and an SRBC, showing the eyepiece construction in detail? Or is that just wild speculation? I personally don't believe it's a straight copy at all. Nowadays every large optical company has access to modern design software. And if you've got...
  8. Hermann

    Kowa 88A Eye Relief

    It's certainly not in the nature of spotting scopes. Make sure you adjusted the eyecup correctly. Play with it a bit, some eyepieces have too much ER for some people, even if they wear glasses. If that doesn't work, you may want to think about your glasses. I find close-fitting glasses work best...
  9. Hermann

    Kowa 88A Eye Relief

    R Now, that's a brilliant piece of advice. But you do know that when you've got astigmatism you won't get a sharp image without your glasses, don't you? Hermann
  10. Hermann

    Terrible Swarovski customer service for NL coating failure - No response for a month, then a $50 charge for expedited service

    Wow. What a great idea. "Don't forget to buy two of our binoculars, just to make sure you've got a spare pair if you need to send one in for repairs." Doesn't that sound like a clever marketing ploy? The cost of the top binoculars is so high that I'd expect faster service. It's as simple as...
  11. Hermann

    Terrible Swarovski customer service for NL coating failure - No response for a month, then a $50 charge for expedited service

    Well, well. Let me summarize what happened: Swarovski equipped their binoculars with armour that is quite obviously unfit for the intended purpose. The armour of the TO’s NL 10x42 cracked and started falling off. The TO mailed Swarovski requesting customer service and got no reply despite...
  12. Hermann

    10x42L vs Nikon MHG

    Agreed. Nothing beats a good tripod. Absolutely. And the difference isn't subtle, even at low magnifications. That's why I assigned Dennis once again to my ignore list. Shouldn't have taken him off, actually. I only use non IS binoculars if I carry a scope+tripod/monopod as well. Hermann
  13. Hermann

    Challenge - shortest, clearest explanation of why 8x FOV tends to be greater than 7x and 10x

    Carl Zeiss Deltar/Deltarem 8x40 (1937-1943): 198/1000m. Huge prisms, 1000 gr. Hermann
  14. Hermann

    ATC 17-40x56 underwhelming

    Interesting take. I also had a brief look at the Swaro, and decided to stick to my old Nikon ED50 for the time being, simply because (a) I've got it and a decent set of eyepieces already, and (b) because it's quite a lot ligher than the Swaro. And even my old EDIIA isn't really that much heavier...
  15. Hermann

    Where do I go from here?

    A few thoughts: 1. An alpha scope will be better than your Opticron in all likelihood. Provided it is a cherry. 2. With scopes size matters. Bigger is better - provided you get a cherry, that is. 3. However, big scopes are heavy. Only you can decide how much weight you can or indeed want to...
  16. Hermann

    Tripod, fluid head, and scope in the rain.

    I find that is no problem. That's right, I disassemble the locks when I feel/hear sand in the locking mechanism. And I disassemble the legs when there is obviously sand in them. You'll feel and hear it when that happens. Hermann
  17. Hermann

    10x42L vs Nikon MHG

    Utter nonsense. "Frail battery door"? More utter nonsense. "You never see ANY when birding"? You might want to get out more. Hermann
  18. Hermann

    Visual effects in binoculars when used with polarisers

    Canon 10x42 IS. Hermann
  19. Hermann

    Tripod, fluid head, and scope in the rain.

    Precautions: Scope: Assuming your scope is waterproof (and most modern scopes are) you needn't do anything. Dry it off and leave it in the open until it's perfectly dry before you put it away. Many people use stay-on cases to protect their scopes. That may make sense if you want to protect the...
  20. Hermann

    Product Review: The Sky Rover Banner Cloud 8 x 42 Binocular

    Sorry, but things don't work like that. Your examples quote typical prices for a consumer, most certainly not for a (big) company. A grain of salt isn't really enough. Make that a pound or two. Hermann
  21. Hermann

    Does BTX work at all in bird watching?

    Excellent point. That's what I've been doing for decades. On seawatches I may also wear an eye-patch. Looks a bit funny but who cares ... :cool: Hermann
  22. Hermann

    Nikon ED50A breakage

    Why should you try epoxy remover if the scope works as it is? Hermann
  23. Hermann

    Nikon ED50A breakage

    I met a guy a few years ago whose ED50 had also broken apart (after he dropped it). Happened on a birding trip abroad. He had taped both sides together. That worked so well that upon returning he had only added a few more layers of tape. Looked a bit funny, that scope. But it worked just...
  24. Hermann

    Pocket binoculars

    Which Nikon 10x25 have you got? Because if you've got the 10x25 HG-L you don't "need" to upgrade at all. It's still one of the very best compact binoculars on the market. Hermann
  25. Hermann

    Best Binocular for...

    No. Not as far a I can see. when the seeing is bad, it's bad. The only exception is misty or foggy weather: In such conditions binoculars with a yellow image may look better, for instance some military binoculars. Hermann
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