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

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  1. J

    What binoculars do you use most (and why...)?

    Afternoon all, I was just thinking today that despite all of my many options of binoculars, I tend to gravitate towards mostly utilizing just using a few. Until they 'disappeared', my 8x25 Victory Pockets were by far my most used model; they are so light, compact, and provide such an easy and...
  2. J

    Maven B1 vs Conquest HD

    Has anyone, by chance, been able to compare the Maven B1 series with the Conquest HD? My girlfriend is still looking for a pair of good quality binoculars and the Conquest is kind of the ideal base default recommendation, but I know Maven has a strong following so I figured I'd ask if anyone's...
  3. J

    Your Most Used Binoculars?

    This is is something I was thinking about while having a discussion with another user... my best and favorite binoculars are very/rarely, if ever, my most used. Working as a biologist, I always have a pair of binoculars in my work truck, either for surveys or incidental observations, and these...
  4. J

    Vixen Geoma Scopes

    All, Any opinions on the Vixen Geoma spotting scopes? They seem to be specced well, but limited reviews from what I've seen; however, my deal on a Nikon 82ED fell through, and so I'm searching for another high quality option in my price range. Thanks, Justin
  5. J

    7x42 Ultravid

    To those interested, I recently bought a New In Box pair of Ultravid HD 7x42. I have, in the past, tested the 8x42 versions of the UV BR/HD/HD+ and also the new Noctivid. I have always found Control of Chromatic Aberration a bit worse than in some of the other top end models, particular the...
  6. J

    EDG 65 scope?

    Does anyone have any experience using the 65EDG? I'm debating getting a scope, something that is more portable than an 80MM but still provides good image quality through a bit higher range (I have an ED50 w/ a low power fixed EP), and there are some grey-model EDGs floating around at a good...
  7. J

    Ultravid 42mm rainguard replacement

    I've been using my Ultravid HDs a lot recently and although the view is tops, I am not a huge fan of the rainguard. Has anyone found a suitable replacement? I was considering the old Zeiss Classic style, but would be interested in other options as well. Thanks, Justin
  8. J

    Cheap/Budget Superzoom Options?

    Hey all, I have been trying to find good comparative reviews of some superzooms but am not having luck. I am looking to get a Superzoom to replace my now AWOL Fujifilm Finepix HS1 (old, budget model). I've been looking primarily for options under $400, including used/refurbished (though new...
  9. J

    Size of Eyepiece Lenses vs. Image Performance

    Morning all and Happy New Year, I've noticed the current trend in a lot of the upper-level optics is to have very large eye-piece/ocular lenses. Do such large lenses in any way improve the quality or 'ease' of view? If so, how/why? I don't know much of the technical design aspects of...
  10. J

    Missisinewa Lake

    Hey all, I've just recently moved to Missisinewa Lake and am creating something of a route/patch. I routinely take 1hr walks, with occasional hiking, etc. So far, I've yet to see much in terms of rarities, but I have seen what I can only describe as awesome backyard birds, e.g. brown creepers...
  11. J

    When will the current alphas become 'obsolete'

    Now, before anyone goes too crazy, I just want to clarify: by 'obsolete' I mean replaced by the next tier wonder with improved technology (e.g. image stabilization, zoom, etc.); I realize that, optically, some of the current generation alphas are about near as good as you can get, and even the...
  12. J

    Stedi stock for angled ED50?

    Has anyone got experience using a stedi stock with an ed50A or similarly small, angled scope? I just purchased an ed50 w/ 27x eyepiece to help out with waterfowl, shorebird, and point count surveys and was wondering if a stedi stock would be more user friendly than a tripod (sometimes I have to...
  13. J

    Euro HD 8x32 - My thoughts

    Picked these up used/NiB from a forum member at a great price. I've had them for about 5 days and probably used them for about 20hrs of birding/survey work. On hand I've got a few different optics, but overall I've owned the following 8x32s : Leupold Gold Ring (non-HD), Vortex Viper HD, Zeiss...
  14. J

    Previous Gen Alpha "Mystique"

    Watching old alpha models sell has always been interesting to me. Outdated glass, such as the Trinovid BN, SLC, original EL, etc. always still seem to sell for prices nearing $1000, despite newer, lower tier models (such as the Vortex Viper, Zeiss Conquest, Etc.) having superior optical...
  15. J

    Best options under $500

    All- I'm looking to purchase some binoculars for my wildlife technicians. Considering my personal collection, I am much more familiar with the sub alpha and alpha market in the >$700 range. Can anyone provide me (strictly in their opinions) the best options under $500? This number must be met...
  16. J

    Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD

    Has anyone looked through or handled these? I recently ordered a pair since Optics Planet had them on sale. They should be here just in time for my trip to Southern Indian next weekend. I'm assuming they are just slightly retooled Pro Guide HD which were very solid for their price, optically...
  17. J

    Best of the mid-range 8x32s?

    Still trying to get my GF a pair of mid-range 8x32s... The primary options I'm looking at are the Cabela's Euro HD, Zeiss Conquest HD, and Kowa Genesis. The Euro HD is on sale at a good price. The Zeiss is always a fan-favorite. The big Kowa is probably my favorite full-sized bino, but I've not...
  18. J

    8x30ish bins and stray light?

    Are there any binoculars out there in the 8x30ish range that handle stray light well? I've been disappointed with the Leupold Golden Ring, Zeiss Victory FL, and Swarovision 8x32s I've owned in this regard, and have found similar reports in bins such as the Zeiss Conquest HD. I'd like to buy a...
  19. J

    Color bias and eyesight

    All, Today while setting the dioptre adjustment for my bins I noticed an odd thing, that the view through the right bino tube was much warmer in color. I assumed there was a difference between the two tubes, but then when I turned the binos around and looked through the objectives, I noticed...
  20. J

    Thoughts on the SLC WB?

    Hello all, I'm in the market for a new pair of binoculars and like the idea of the SLC WB. They fit the price range, specs, and other 'visible' specifications I'd like to get. However, I've only tested them in limited settings. For reference, some of the higher-end binoculars I've owned and...
  21. J

    8x32 SE - objective covers and rain guard?

    Hello, Recently picked up a like-new 8x32 SE on a whim. As I'm thinking it may be a good counterpart to my 10x roof, I'd like to get a good rainguard and some objective covers for it. Any thoughts?
  22. J

    Truncated exit pupils/vignetting

    All, To me, allbinos has always been an interesting read - not for their overall rankings, but just as an attempt at an unbiased and objective site. One 'measurement' I really don't understand is exit pupils/vignetting, however. Can anyone really explain what this means to me? I've read past...
  23. J

    Zeiss SF - Allbinos review

    http://www.allbinos.com/index.php?test=lornetki&test_l=304 I like allbinos reviews in a general sense. I'd agree with the idea that the SFs have a distinctly yellow/green hue. I've seen it in both pairs of 10x42s I've viewed through. Allbinos does love minimal distortion and their rankings of...
  24. J

    MM3 Fixed vs. Zoom EPs

    Hello all, I'm considering purchasing the Opticron MM3 50 for use at work observing to conduct primarily waterfowl and eagle surveys. My question relates to which EP to go with - I've only ever used a zoom EP but have heard good things about fixed, such as the 24x. I wear glasses so high ER is...
  25. J

    8x42 Vortex Razor HD - my thoughts

    All, A brief backstory: As some of you may know I recently underwent some medical hardships and sold off the majority of my higher priced optics, e.g. a 7x42 Zeiss Victory and 8.5x44 Kowa Genesis. I was pretty down about this but still had a few usable optics on hand so it wasn't the worst...
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