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Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Patudo, I fully agree. I'm not a fan of the metal eyecups either, and like you prefer rubber — which were an innovation at the time. At this point they've become an achilles heel, however, since they are no longer manufactured and must be carefully preserved. I do that with a coating of... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Paul, I didn't really follow models other than the Audubon, to preserve my sanity, but yes they all went through a similar evolution. The focuser location also partially correlated with whether they were American or European (writ broad) models. Ed -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
PS. There's a 1959 Audubon currently on eBay (256135416585) missing it's bayonet mounted eyecups. And there's a 1967 Audubon on eBay (374703908549) with twist-up eyecups. (I'm not recommending these, incidentally, except for collectors. The condition is only so-so.) Ed -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Paul, I guess it's a matter of how far one goes back. The first attachment shows a 1965 Audubon with your Holiday on the computer screen in the background. They are the same mechanics, but only provide a measly 3mm more eye relief. Still, it works to a degree. The second attachment shows... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
What's generally is not appreciated is that binocular eyecups went through an interesting mechanical evolution, in parallel with optical design and coating technology. During the evolution of the Swift Audubon, from 1958 through 1999, this is most evident in the very early years before rubber... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Dennis, Notice that there was stiff competition, and the binocular looks to be in beautiful condition. Moreover, you can send it back within 30 days. Surely it wasn't a give-away, but you will get to experience the widest FOV obtainable, and can test the limits of that dimension. I'm looking... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Paul, Your pictures are very interesting because I believe you showed the second version of the 804ED, which has black rather than gray armor as seen in the pictures on pg. 18 of our 2006 article. Sorry to say, several credible indications are that this black model did not have air-spaced... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Dennis, Check out auction 145175865249 on eBay. The Linet was made by Hiyoshi using the same quality optics and mechanicals as Swift. I own the 8x40, which has a 12 degree FOV. (Unfortunately, slightly out of collimation.) They are AMAZING!! The one at auction has a 13.5 deg. FOV, or a 94.5... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Finally, the Type-2a Audubon (1981) was issued with a brown leatherette case. This specimen was a retirement award to George Angell in 1982, which may account for its rarely-used, pristine condition. As they always did, however that top of the case came apart when the glue eventually dried... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
To follow-up on comments in #38, this photo shows the difference between the 1981 Audubon and 1978 Holiday tripod attachments. -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
In 1978 the Swift Catalog emphasized the wide-angle aspects of the Model 804 8.5x44 Audubon and the Model 766 7x35 Holiday. If one REALLY wants a wide view, the 600ft@1000yd. Holiday provides a (600/52.4)x7 = 80.15 AVOV, and it weighs a whopping 3.5oz. less than the 804. -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Yes, Dennis I'm sure of it because there were several small differences between the Type-2a (which you own) and Type-2b (which I own). Please note also that the eBay seller didn't know what he/she was talking about. What you have is obviously not "multi-coated," although the auction says so... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Now, now, ... that's what collecting is all about. And it wasn't new in 1998, but rather in 1978 ... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Yes, the Model 820 Audubon first appeared in the 2000 catalog, and was specifically listed as a "new product." The 820ED was also listed in the catalog as a new product with air-spaced objective lenses. Swift later confirmed that the objectives were not air-spaced, which accounts for why they... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Dennis, Since this is the ONLY example I've ever encountered of a Swift s/n that does not correspond with the date it was manufactured, I'd like to inquire about provenance. Who did you buy this specimen from? Was it a Japanese source, perhaps? Did you buy it on eBay? Thanks, Ed -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Hello Dennis, There are two aspects to this discussion. The first is the factual historical date-of-manufacture of your 804. The second is opinions about how this 804 compares to other binoculars. My interest lies in the former. Regarding the date of manufacture, please look at the serial... -
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Model 804
Yes. I think the model Dennis purchased is a Type-2b shown on pg. 12 of the attached article. It was produced in the early 1980s. If Dennis provides the s/n we can verify this. The HR/5 marked Type-4b is shown on pg. 17. They were originally Multi-Coated, and subsequent models Fully...