Habicht 7x42 vs 10x40 newest Versions quality’s? (1 Viewer)

[Aquaplas]

Hey guys. I have a Habicht 8x30 and a 7x42 GA. Both are in the newest versions with actual Coating. Now I find a lot of Reviews who Compare the 8x30 and the 10x40. But can’t find reviews who compare the 7x42 with the 10x40.
can anyone tell me something about that. Brightness Colours and sharpness between this glasses. I know, the 7x42 had a much smaller tunnel view, but what’s about the quality of the pictures?
Thanks a lot for infos. Sorry for my bad English. I’m from the Country who the Habicht is made

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Aquaplas,

The 8x30W and 10x40W share the same eyepiece (6 elements in 3 groups), in contrast the 7x42 has a much simpler eyepiece (3 elements in 2 groups)
The x40 and x42 models share the same objective, and all three have the same pattern objective (2 lenses cemented in 1 group)

All three Habichts are sharp. They show a lot of detail on axis
I can't see any difference when comparing my 7x42 and 8x30W - allowing for the difference in magnification
(it's obviously much more difficult trying to directly compare 7x and 10x)

As you may be aware, the 8x30W can show significant veiling glare in some circumstances. However, the 10x40W shows less
and the 7x42 has virtually none (the 7x42's performance is very close to both my 7x42 Leica UV HD and Zeiss Victory FL)

All have:
• high peak transmission (Swarovski states 96% for all three), and
• high overall transmission (Gijs' testing shows similar flat curves for both the 7x42 and 8x30W, see at: https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/verrekijkers/verrekijkers-testen-en-vergelijken/ - he's not tested the 10x40W)
All three are known for their very bright and paper-white image


For a detailed review of the 10x40W (including comparison to other 10x binoculars) see that of Roger Vine at: http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/BinoReviews.htm

- - - -

For a lot more information, including how to maximise the use of the Habichts, see at:

Habicht 8x30W and Italian supercars (my take on the Habicht)

Italian supercars have both a stunning performance and stunning looks. They can accelerate from 0 to 60 in a sigh and give you goosebumps from their sheer speed and the incredible way they negociate bends. Basically they’re machines of pure joy and will give you indeleble memories and...

www.birdforum.net

It should be noted that their common limitations are:
• short eye relief compared to more modern designs, so often too little for those who wear spectacles, and
• the stiff focuser required by the waterproofing, which makes them unsuited for some uses including much birding

- - - -

As I’ve remarked elsewhere, it’s a tribute to Swarovski’s sense of heritage that it continues to offer such a dated but proven design,
while using high grade materials - including state-of-the-art coatings - produced to Swarovski’s usual high quality standards
Significantly, the Habichts are not priced artificially high, so as to be technically available but so overpriced as to be effectively discontinued
Within their limitations they represent great value, especially when taking into account Swarovski’s generous after-sales service


John


Images:
a) Habicht 10x40W
b) SL 7x50 - has the same eyepiece as Habicht 7x42
c) 7x42 Transmission, per Gijs
d) 8x30W Transmission, per Gijs

 

[Dennis Mau]

I have had all three Habichts and I have the Habicht 10x40 GA now. The 8x30 W shows too much glare for me, the 7x42 is glare free and one of the brightest binoculars you will ever look through but has a tunnel like view. The Habicht 10x40 GA in my opinion is the best of the three with a good size AFOV and shows very little glare. All the Habichts are very light, have some of the highest transmission of any binoculars and have an incredible view especially at their price point. Ever time I go back to them, they surprise me how good they are. They will give any alpha level roof a run for their money and in many ways like transmission and the 3D stereoscopic view they are superior. A superb porro prism binocular like the Habicht is very hard to beat because of the simplicity of its optics compared to a roof prism which must be built to more exacting tolerances to get to the same performance level. My Swarovski NL 8x42 has a wider FOV than my Habicht 10x40 GA but the view is really not any better IF as good and that is saying something for a binocular 1/3 as expensive.

 

[Hermann]

The 8x30 W shows too much glare for me, the 7x42 is glare free and one of the brightest binoculars you will ever look through but has a tunnel like view. The Habicht 10x40 GA in my opinion is the best of the three with a good size AFOV and shows very little glare. All the Habichts are very light, have some of the highest transmission of any binoculars and have an incredible view especially at their price point. <snip> They will give any alpha level roof a run for their money and in many ways like transmission and the 3D stereoscopic view they are superior. A superb porro prism binocular like the Habicht is very hard to beat because of the simplicity of its optics compared to a roof prism which must be built to more exacting tolerances to get to the same performance level.

I agree. I personally prefer the 7x42 though, except for its narrow field of view. It's IMO optically the best of the lot.

A few additional points:

• A major problem for some may be the stiff focuser. It's not a "fast" binocular. I personally can live with that, but I wouldn't really use a Habicht among the bushes at a migration hotspot.
• I personally find I can hold the Habicht due to its shape more easily than any roof. Just fits my hands better.
• The rubber armour of the rubber-armoured versions is in a different world than the armour of virtually all modern roofs. It makes the binoculars somewhat heavier though; this is military grade armour.

Hermann

 

[reinhold.zagler]

Hallo Leute. Ich habe ein Habicht 8x30 und ein 7x42 GA. Beide sind in den neusten Versionen mit aktuellem Coating. Jetzt finde ich viele Testberichte, die das 8x30 und das 10x40 vergleichen. Kann aber keine Bewertungen finden, die das 7x42 mit dem 10x40 vergleichen.
kann mir jemand was dazu sagen. Helligkeit Farben und Schärfe zwischen dieser Brille. Ich weiß, das 7x42 hatte eine viel kleinere Tunnelansicht, aber wie sieht es mit der Qualität der Bilder aus?
Vielen Dank für Infos. Entschuldigung für mein schlechtes Englisch. Ich komme aus dem Land, aus dem der Habicht gemacht wird

Die Qualität der Bilder ist gleich gut. Nur vergrößert der eine 7x, der andere 8x und der letzte 10x. Kapito? Sam

 

[kaveman]

I agree. I personally prefer the 7x42 though, except for its narrow field of view. It's IMO optically the best of the lot.

A few additional points:

• A major problem for some may be the stiff focuser. It's not a "fast" binocular. I personally can live with that, but I wouldn't really use a Habicht among the bushes at a migration hotspot.
• I personally find I can hold the Habicht due to its shape more easily than any roof. Just fits my hands better.
• The rubber armour of the rubber-armoured versions is in a different world than the armour of virtually all modern roofs. It makes the binoculars somewhat heavier though; this is military grade armour.

Hermann

A few points from personal experience with a vintage 8x30:

• I might add that the focusing is the fastest I've ever experienced! Because you don't need to focus! I've noticed with my habicht 8x30's you don't really need to focus with subjects further than 25 ft. Your eye muscles do the focusing. It seems to be a trait of porro design. With my modern EL Roof's you constantly needed to adjust the focus knob.
• The fit feels great in the hand, however, I could use some new grease. The bridge falls too easily. It's not able to be used one handed unless I push the eye cup tightly up to my face to avoid the binocular falling at it's pivot point.
• I love the style of the GA rubber version. The upside to the leatherette is that it can be rewrapped easily though.