4 weeks tropical birding with the Zeiss SFL 8x30 (3 Viewers)

[Swissboy]

Happy end (except for my wallet): I bought another 8x30. Weather is terrible, so no real outside use yet, but peaking out of the window, the new one is just as fine as my memories of the lost one.

Glad to read you found a way to replace that perfect tool! I hope you got the larger FL eyepiece covers from Zeiss in the meantime. And if you want an even more compact set, that 8x30 SFL does not really need a full-size Zeiss strap. Though my wife is still very happy with it.

As for myself, I replaced it with a more compact strap model made by Op/Tech USA. The "BIN/OP STRAP - QD" comes with two "Mini QD Loop Connectors" that have so far proven very sturdy. B&H in the US sold the strap for $12.29. I ordered two, and with shipping to Switzerland ($13.95) the total was $38.53. The added convenience makes this a great buy in my opinion. And I still have a spare for my wife in case she changes her mind in the future.

 

[dalat]

Agree with the strap, the regular Zeiss one is more than it is needed. I'm a fan of the rubber cord harness (can be ordered as Rick Young harness, but easy to DIY) and I will use this again. It goes perfect with the little bin (some of it can be seen in the pics in my opening post).

 

[David55]

The problem with the rain guards is that they are simply too tight. (Same with the objective covers, but I don't use those.) There is an easy way out, however. Call Zeiss to send you a rain guard for their older FL models. They are just that little bit larger and very comfortable to use on the SFLs.

@dalat: Thanks for your very fine report, and very sorry about your loss of the superb SFL!

I've had the same problem with the rubber eyerings coming off and have now lost one. The rainguard is just too tight. Don't think it's because of the environment as it's happening here in the Scottish winter. Love the bins though. Ive tried an opticron rainguard, which is a bit looser but they still pop off.Think I'll try and get the older FL guard as suggested.