Habicht for birdwatching? (1 Viewer)

[Cavendish]

@ReinierB - really interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing!

I've had a Habicht 10x40 for exactly a year now and, despite not immediately getting along with it, I've persevered and kept it.

Since then I've found this model is most suitable for astronomy, casual use at home and viewing big landscapes / things at distance. No surprise that those uses minimise the annoyance of what is a somewhat stiff (but smooth) focuser.

The small eyecups are perfect for my narrow IPD and the view through the glass is gorgeous. I've had some stunning views of raptors that eclipsed anything similar I've seen through other bins.

It may sound odd but I also very much appreciate the fact I can pull it straight out of its case and not need to open it up to the correct IPD or twist the eyecups out. It's basically ready to go at all times, unlike my roofs.

And the final thing I enjoy is the sheer feel of quality engineering they possess. I've had all sorts of issues with two pairs of CL Pockets recently, but I cannot imagine the Habicht ever having similar problems.

It is quite an acquired taste but one that I am enjoying 🙂

But to answer the question of whether it's good for birdwatching, I'd say not if you're trying to view nearby and fast moving species that require rapid focus changes. But if you're doing more long-range stuff like wading birds or raptors then yes, definitely.

 

[MiddleRiver]

It may sound odd but I also very much appreciate the fact I can pull it straight out of its case and not need to open it up to the correct IPD or twist the eyecups out. It's basically ready to go at all times, unlike my roofs.

I'm genuinely curious about this - which bins are you using where the case is so tight that you have to 'collapse' the binos?

 

[Isthatascratch?]

@ReinierB - really interesting thoughts, thanks for sharing!

I've had a Habicht 10x40 for exactly a year now and, despite not immediately getting along with it, I've persevered and kept it.

Since then I've found this model is most suitable for astronomy, casual use at home and viewing big landscapes / things at distance. No surprise that those uses minimise the annoyance of what is a somewhat stiff (but smooth) focuser.

The small eyecups are perfect for my narrow IPD and the view through the glass is gorgeous. I've had some stunning views of raptors that eclipsed anything similar I've seen through other bins.

It may sound odd but I also very much appreciate the fact I can pull it straight out of its case and not need to open it up to the correct IPD or twist the eyecups out. It's basically ready to go at all times, unlike my roofs.

And the final thing I enjoy is the sheer feel of quality engineering they possess. I've had all sorts of issues with two pairs of CL Pockets recently, but I cannot imagine the Habicht ever having similar problems.

It is quite an acquired taste but one that I am enjoying 🙂

But to answer the question of whether it's good for birdwatching, I'd say not if you're trying to view nearby and fast moving species that require rapid focus changes. But if you're doing more long-range stuff like wading birds or raptors then yes, definitely.

 

[Cavendish]

I'm genuinely curious about this - which bins are you using where the case is so tight that you have to 'collapse' the binos?

I have a pair of 8x42 Pentax that are very snug in the case, so have to be opened up to the maximum extent to fit in it. And of course the dual-hinged CL Pockets have to be folded up.

 

[ReinierB]

I've had a Habicht 10x40 for exactly a year now and, despite not immediately getting along with it, I've persevered and kept it.

Good to hear.

It may sound odd but I also very much appreciate the fact I can pull it straight out of its case and not need to open it up to the correct IPD or twist the eyecups out. It's basically ready to go at all times, unlike my roofs.

That actually is a minor annoyance for me. The rainguard is too small for my IPD. Everytime I put the rainguard on it I have to adapt the IPD. So it not ready to go for me. First I found the hinge of my Habicht too loose. But now I kind of like it, because it is easier to set the IPD again.

 

[MiddleRiver]

I have a pair of 8x42 Pentax that are very snug in the case, so have to be opened up to the maximum extent to fit in it. And of course the dual-hinged CL Pockets have to be folded up.

Got it. Thx.
I'll admit I'm not usually a case user, but my 8x20Trinovids fold up into the smalles possible case - intentionally - and of course it's a PIA to deploy them...
Full sized bins are in case at home but all fit fine (Zeiss and Leicas) and when heading out, the case stays behind...

 

[Scott98]

It's interesting, I avoided these because I don't like stiffer focusers. However, now I've got Nikon 7x50 SP and they don't have a focuser! So the Habitch has the advantage there. And I still like using the Nikons.

It's definitely easier to deal with the lack of CF at 7x. For more distant viewing the big DOF means you get set & forget the IF focusers. Some of the viewing situations with the 7x42 Habicht won't require focusing beyond a slight tweak now & then - for example river, lake, and ocean viewing. Or viewing from a blind or other times you're stationary and looking into a treeline.

 

[Isthatascratch?]

It's interesting, I avoided these because I don't like stiffer focusers. However, now I've got Nikon 7x50 SP and they don't have a focuser! So the Habitch has the advantage there. And I still like using the Nikons.

It's definitely easier to deal with the lack of CF at 7x. For more distant viewing the big DOF means you get set & forget the IF focusers. Some of the viewing situations with the 7x42 Habicht won't require focusing beyond a slight tweak now & then - for example river, lake, and ocean viewing. Or viewing from a blind or other times you're stationary and looking into a treeline.

Is your Nikon one of the newer ones with the armour change etc ?

 

[Maljunulo]

Last June, I acquired an 8X30W Habicht.

It has completely captivated me, and my 8X32 SF sits quietly on the shelf in the closet. I lift it up to my eyes for the sheer joy of looking through it. The “no glass” image, which I see frequently, is stunning. I can see that dragonflies have four wings at 100 yd/m. We have a significant Red-tailed Hawk population, and Coopers/Sharp-shinned hawks, as well as an assortment of “tweety birds” to keep me amused.

My birding consists of sitting on a third-floor balcony, looking out on a very developed area with Costco, Whole Foods, Chipotle, Starbucks, and so on. There are enough trees, and a small grassy area, so there is a bit of wildlife around.

The most distant fixed object I can see is a tree 760 yards (695 meters) away. I just set the focus on infinity, and leave it.

 

[GrampaTom]

Last June, I acquired an 8X30W Habicht.

It has completely captivated me, and my 8X32 SF sits quietly on the shelf in the closet. I lift it up to my eyes for the sheer joy of looking through it. The “no glass” image, which I see frequently, is stunning. I can see that dragonflies have four wings at 100 yd/m. We have a significant Red-tailed Hawk population, and Coopers/Sharp-shinned hawks, as well as an assortment of “tweety birds” to keep me amused.

My birding consists of sitting on a third-floor balcony, looking out on a very developed area with Costco, Whole Foods, Chipotle, Starbucks, and so on. There are enough trees, and a small grassy area, so there is a bit of wildlife around.

The most distant fixed object I can see is a tree 760 yards (695 meters) away. I just set the focus on infinity, and leave it.

Thanks so much for the context. All of a sudden your past comments fall into place. Makes sense why you enjoy the Habicht so much vis a vis comments others have made about these over the years. I wish others would explain how/where they use their binos more often so we could know why they like what they like.

 

[Patudo]

My birding consists of sitting on a third-floor balcony, looking out on a very developed area with Costco, Whole Foods, Chipotle, Starbucks, and so on. There are enough trees, and a small grassy area, so there is a bit of wildlife around.

Areas like that can quite have a surprising amount of wildlife though, especially birds. It's fascinating how some (though unfortunately not all) birds can tolerate and indeed thrive in heavily human-modified habitats.

I've seen redtails and Cooper's (the latter only very briefly) on visits to the States and will certainly be keeping an eye out for both on my next trip. Do you see the Cooper's in the air/soaring much? Around here the closely related Eurasian sparrowhawk soars more often at this time of the year, sometimes ending the flight by streaking downwards after a target in the treetops - I've only seen what they were after a couple of times, but it's always thrilling to watch.

 

[Maljunulo]

With leaves off of the deciduous trees, they are easier to keep track of. They sneak into a leaved tree, and strike out of nowhere. When they are not ambush hunting, they do a flap-flap-flap- glide-flap-flap-flap sort of thing, while hunting from overhead.

They are incredibly fast and maneuverable, and I have been fortunate to see one run down an unidentified songbird. They are like lightning.

They land immediately and kill by compressive suffocation. I have read that is how accipiters kill, whereas falcons use their beak to kill. (an Osprey just starts eating) The one I saw then took off, presumably to go to it's nest, and I suspect to feed the kiddies at home.

They are usually only glimpsed, in my experience.

Did I mention that they are fast and maneuverable?

 

[MSP1LT]

With leaves off of the deciduous trees, they are easier to keep track of. They sneak into a leaved tree, and strike out of nowhere. When they are not ambush hunting, they do a flap-flap-flap- glide-flap-flap-flap sort of thing, while hunting from overhead.

They are incredibly fast and maneuverable, and I have been fortunate to see one run down an unidentified songbird. They are like lightning.

They land immediately and kill by compressive suffocation. I have read that is how accipiter skill, whereas falcons use their beak to kill. (an Osprey just starts eating) The one I saw then took off, presumably to go to it's nest.

They are usually only glimpsed, in my experience.

Did I mention that they are fast and maneuverable?

Can you kindly speak of the narrower field on the 8x30 and its drawbacks for you, if any? I've considered this optik before, however, presently having the Zeiss SF's (8x32 & 8x42) with their wider fields, I don't know whether I'm quite ready to take the leap with the Habicht...

 

[Maljunulo]

I don't see it as a drawback, and I don't even notice it, unless I switch directly to the SF. Then I notice that I can see more.

I think this may be a case of letting specifications have more importance than what we actually see. The Habicht has an AFOV of 60°, which is quite sufficient, in that I don't see it as "looking down a tube" or any such thing. The angular field is 7.8°. The SF is 67° and 8.8°. Make of those numbers what you will.

The big deal with the Habicht is the focus wheel. It drives some folks crazy. If you are going to chase warblers through the pucker brush, don't even consider the The Habicht.

 

[MSP1LT]

I don't see it as a drawback, and I don't even notice it, unless I switch directly to the SF. Then I notice that I can see more.

I think this may be a case of letting specifications have more importance than what we actually see. The Habicht has an AFOV of 60°, which is quite sufficient, in that I don't see it as "looking down a tube" or any such thing. The angular field is 7.8°. The SF is 67° and 8.8°. Make of those numbers what you will.

Thanks very much for your reply! I gather the overall view of the Habicht is superb, as you've described, and I guess I'll just have to try and find a copy to look through for myself before taking the plunge. Those beautiful bin's are so very tempting.

 

[Maljunulo]

Thanks very much for your reply! I gather the overall view of the Habicht is superb, as you've described, and I guess I'll just have to try and find a copy to look through for myself before taking the plunge. Those beautiful bin's are so very tempting.

Definitely try one. If you do, let us know your thoughts.

 

[GrampaTom]

Last summer, one of the tenants who lives in the only ground floor apartment with its own entrance called and asked for some help with a young House Finch that had fallen from its nest into her courtyard. It was unable to get up over the concrete knee wall to a bit of cover on the other side where we guessed Mama was. Mother and baby were yakking at each other but the mother was not coming closer. Initially thought it was us till we looked up into tree about 10’ away and noticed a Coopers perched and glaring down. That Coopers had been seen earlier days perched on the Kaiser wall top while hunting the green space between. Gorgeous bird.

 

[42za]

Actually just about any binocular can be successfully used for bird watching .

 

[Antonello66]

I am a happy user of a Habicht 7x42, I like the 7x format, I also have a Trinovid 7x42 BN. The slightly wider field of the latter and the smoothness of the focus, make it a little easier to use for bird watching. But I find the performance of the Habicht superb.

 

[Northman]

Does anyone know when the Habicht line was last updated in terms of coatings?