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Swarovski Habicht and Eyeglasses (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sirpotato
- Start date
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
I'm a eyeglasses wearer and I've also used Nikon E2 8x30 and Habicht 8x30. Both are not recommended for glasses. But Nikon 2mm (1.8mm) more matters a lot over Habicht 8x30. With strong contact on eyeglasses, I could see at the very limit the large FOV of the Nikon E2, but very very uncomfortable. This is the main reason I sold my E2 8x30. And as for the Habicht 8x30, it was impossible to see the fieldstop (no way). The only one from the Habicht series that can be used with glasses is the 7x42, but it also needs to be tested, as it may be at the limit for some glasses wearers. I have the 7x42 version, I use them well with glasses, but others may not see the entire FOV
Sirpotato
Well-known member
Ahh damn that seems to rule them out for me then...Astigmatism sucks!!!
Which binoculars have you found most favourable to your glasses?
I've been toying with the idea of a pair of EL or NL Pure 8x32 but I saw on the other post I made and also on the Swaro website reviews that there has been a lot of issues with armor and it worries me a little as I'd like it to be a pair of "forever" binoculars - so I stop buying random pairs but also so they have the build quality to last.
The other option I also considered is a pair of SLC HD 8x42 - they seem to not use the same armor as the newer Swaros - only downside is weight.
My other option I've been considering is a pair of Zeiss Victory SF 8x32 or SFL 8x40 or even a Kowa Genesis 8x33, but I don't know how they compare to the Swaros I mentioned.
The need for eyeglasses and having astigmatism caused me to sell both my 8x30 and 10x35 E2's . The need to wear glasses with my optics changed everything . I definitely went through a period of suffering and have recovered quite well , although it sure would be nice not to need glasses .
Sirpotato
Well-known member
It sure would be, I only just started wearing them when birding because I noticed how everything I looked through just wasn't sharp and I'd struggle to actually find birds to even view through the binoculars unless they were something large as everything was just distorted when looking into trees, shrubs and so on.
I think I want an alpha though now 😂
Hermann
Well-known member
I switched to using glasses a few years ago, having used contacts for well over 40 years. Took some getting used to, but today I'm glad I made the switch. Glasses are far less hassle than contacts - no problems with dust or pollen or dry eyes and so on.
However, quite a few of the binoculars I've got don't work with my glasses, e.g. the good old Zeiss 10x50 Porro. Others are marginal, e.g. the Habicht 10x40. What works and what doesn't depends on your prescription and, importantly, the shape and size of your glasses. I opted for round, close-fitting glasses that work quite well with a lot of my binoculars, for instance the Habicht 7x42, one of my favourite pairs, and the Canon 10x42 IS. Large, aviator style glasses often don't work all that well with binoculars if the eye relief of the binoculars is a bit on the tight side.
I think you'll need to try out different binoculars to see what works for you and what doesn't. One very helpful resource is Canip's website as he lists the "useable" eye relief as opposed to the eye relief quoted by the manufacturers: The PINACOLLECTION – Binoculars Today.
Hermann
However, quite a few of the binoculars I've got don't work with my glasses, e.g. the good old Zeiss 10x50 Porro. Others are marginal, e.g. the Habicht 10x40. What works and what doesn't depends on your prescription and, importantly, the shape and size of your glasses. I opted for round, close-fitting glasses that work quite well with a lot of my binoculars, for instance the Habicht 7x42, one of my favourite pairs, and the Canon 10x42 IS. Large, aviator style glasses often don't work all that well with binoculars if the eye relief of the binoculars is a bit on the tight side.
I think you'll need to try out different binoculars to see what works for you and what doesn't. One very helpful resource is Canip's website as he lists the "useable" eye relief as opposed to the eye relief quoted by the manufacturers: The PINACOLLECTION – Binoculars Today.
Hermann
I tried them at Birdfair, and yes, they are that bad.
It’s too bad that there isn’t an easy way for astigmatic folks to have corrective lenses made to fit inside the eyecups.
A reliable way to index them would be helpful.
It’s really a shame, because the Habicht is a superb optic, for those who want a sparkling image, and outstanding transparency. After more than six weeks of daily use of mine (8X30 W) for several hours each day, for me still it has the Wow! factor.
A reliable way to index them would be helpful.
It’s really a shame, because the Habicht is a superb optic, for those who want a sparkling image, and outstanding transparency. After more than six weeks of daily use of mine (8X30 W) for several hours each day, for me still it has the Wow! factor.
Sirpotato
Well-known member
Oh nice that's good to know! I don't have a strong prescription at all and have thinner index lenses. Its a real shame I can't try them locally.
Sirpotato
Well-known member
Mines for astigmatism, so not entirely sure. I do know that the wearing them makes a world of difference to the view though.
Fair point. But at least it is not an issue for some glasses users rather than it being a blanket non-starter.
I'd echo what has already been said - I wouldn't recommend buying an 8x30 Habicht if you need it to work with glasses. Virtually none of the old 8x30 porros will. PW42 is fortunate, but very much the exception to the rule I would have thought.
If a lightweight 8x30 best fits your requirements, try a modern roof instead (Nikon Monarch HG or similar). That's the modern version of the old 8x30 porro - lightweight, wide field of view, with genuine improvements such as waterproofing, long eye relief and almost certainly a larger sweet spot.
If a lightweight 8x30 best fits your requirements, try a modern roof instead (Nikon Monarch HG or similar). That's the modern version of the old 8x30 porro - lightweight, wide field of view, with genuine improvements such as waterproofing, long eye relief and almost certainly a larger sweet spot.
Sirpotato
Well-known member
I think thats what I'm edging to now. I think I'll open a new thread up to ask about it. Atleast people will know in future when they search about the Habicht now
I may be an exception of course (not the first time I would have been accused of that
) but I don't think so as it was recommended to me as something that often works. I do wonder how many people do try it with the eyecups folded down - they can be quite stiff the first few times which may be offputting but ease with use. I don't want to harp on about this but it would be a shame if the wonderful Habicht was discounted without giving it a try.
Sirpotato
Well-known member
It would be interesting to know if the people that said it wasn't suitable didn't fold down the eyecups for sure!I may be an exception of course (not the first time I would have been accused of that
Hermann
Well-known member
Rolling the eyecups down won't change the fact that these binoculars were designed with pretty short eye relief, as was the norm back in those days. You may be one of the lucky ones like PW42 for whom 13mm (stated - Canip's measurements give 10mm usable eye relief) is sufficient, but chances are it won't.
You can, with practice, get pretty good at whisking off your glasses and putting the binoculars to your eyes - I did this for some years with rough contemporaries of the Habicht like the East German Zeiss Jenoptem. It works reasonably well but you WILL inevitably lose a few birds doing this. Unless there are compelling reasons to use a short eye relief binocular, I'd recommend using a modern long eye relief design if you are going out with the intention of actually birding, as opposed to enjoying "the view", or indulging in nostalgia.
You can, with practice, get pretty good at whisking off your glasses and putting the binoculars to your eyes - I did this for some years with rough contemporaries of the Habicht like the East German Zeiss Jenoptem. It works reasonably well but you WILL inevitably lose a few birds doing this. Unless there are compelling reasons to use a short eye relief binocular, I'd recommend using a modern long eye relief design if you are going out with the intention of actually birding, as opposed to enjoying "the view", or indulging in nostalgia.