If you could have only ONE binocular ? (no list). (4 Viewers)

[Paultricounty]

The FOV sweet spot in the UVHD+ 7x42 might be bigger than the Habicht 8x30, but the AFOV is not. Even if the edge is not tack sharp in the Habicht you can still see moving birds there, and it still gives the binocular more WOW factor. The AFOV of the UVHD+7x42 is a tiny 56 degrees, and the Habicht 8x30W is a much bigger 63 degrees. AFOV is what gives binoculars the WOW factor, and the UVHD+7x42 is lacking in AFOV IMO. Most 7x binoculars have a small AFOV outside of the Zeiss FL 7x42, so for me, they are lacking in that WOW factor that a big FOV 8x has. Yes, they have more DOF, they are easier to hold steady, and they are bright, but no WOW because they have a puny AFOV. That is why I never really cared for them. I do like Leica's for their saturated color, but I need the Noctivid 8x42 with a bigger 62 degree AFOV and sharper edges to do it for me for the total package.

I was referring to the wow factor of the overall image that the Leica has and the Habicht’s don’t. Not the 3D effect of porros. The Habicht is sharp and bright but very small center is good, the fall off is very noticeable. The wow in the Leica is the color saturation, the image warmness and overall impression of the image is less stark and makes colors pop. The FOV does not seem small at all in the Leica 7x42. Again I think your relying on or your bias on the stats are making you dismiss the actual image quality. We discussed how bad you felt the glare of the 8x30 Habicht’s were as almost unusable. In that conversation I had pointed out to you that glare is not the same for everyone and I found them to be an extremely enjoyable usable set of binoculars.

It wasn’t long ago you were telling us that the Trinovid BN are superior to Ultravids. I have to wonder if this is just the flavor of the day for you. No disrespect but I seem to have a problem following your back and forth of the merits or pitfalls of specific binoculars you like one week and dislike the next week.

 

[AlanFrench]

Canon 12x32 IS.

Clear skies, Alan

 

[Jon555]

I think the Canon 10x30 IS on a size and value standpoint... nice AFoV and you see more with a stabiliser...

 

[mulligatawny owl]

Swarovski EL 8x32.

I've only had my Field Pro 8x32 a couple of weeks but I'm wondering why I didn't just buy one years ago and be done with it. For some reason I didn't really expect them to be that impressive coming from an SF 8x42 and various other alphas before it, but wow, how wrong I was!

Just so bright and sharp and crisp and superbly transparent. I'm not going to say I like them better than the SF's but they are so light and easy to use and completely different in presentation to the SF's that they just wow me every time I use them and make me wonder why I need anything else.

 

[Bentley03]

Swarovski EL 8x32.

I've only had my Field Pro 8x32 a couple of weeks but I'm wondering why I didn't just buy one years ago and be done with it. For some reason I didn't really expect them to be that impressive coming from an SF 8x42 and various other alphas before it, but wow, how wrong I was!

Just so bright and sharp and crisp and superbly transparent. I'm not going to say I like them better than the SF's but they are so light and easy to use and completely different in presentation to the SF's that they just wow me every time I use them and make me wonder why I need anything else.

Swarovski NL Pure 10x32.

But, having purchased the EL 8x32's which you returned, once they'd come back to the retailer from being corrected by Swarovski, and finding myself 100% in agreement with your assessment of them (I'm also hugely enjoying them), I do now wonder if I might actually prefer some EL 10x32's to my NL Pure 10x32's, despite the very slight optical differences and wider FOV, due to them feeling so much better in the hand (in my opinion). The ergonomics are every bit as good as the Victory SF 32's, I'd argue, just lacking their (and the NL Pure's) exquisite focus mechanism.

If I spot some on the second hand market, I may just be tempted to try them...

 

[mwhogue]

Swarovski NL Pure 10x32.

But, having purchased the EL 8x32's which you returned, once they'd come back to the retailer from being corrected by Swarovski, and finding myself 100% in agreement with your assessment of them (I'm also hugely enjoying them), I do now wonder if I might actually prefer some EL 10x32's to my NL Pure 10x32's, despite the very slight optical differences and wider FOV, due to them feeling so much better in the hand (in my opinion). The ergonomics are every bit as good as the Victory SF 32's, I'd argue, just lacking their (and the NL Pure's) exquisite focus mechanism.

If I spot some on the second hand market, I may just be tempted to try them...

Bentley,

I have not yet handled the NL 10x32, am a bit put off by the (apparent?) increased size for a 32. I regularly use a pre FP SV 8x32 and an early FP 10x32 and find the focus function on the FP noticeably smoother and more uniform. I agree with all the positive statements on the wonderful handling characteristics of the EL 32 models. The 10x32 EL would be on my short list for a "one and only".

Mike

 

[Dennis Mau]

I would change my choice to the Habicht 8x30 W over the Nikon E2 8x30. The Habicht is considerably brighter and has a sparkle because of it's super high transmission I just find addicting. The Bino Bandit helps with the glare and small eye cups on the Habicht.

 

[mulligatawny owl]

Swarovski NL Pure 10x32.

But, having purchased the EL 8x32's which you returned, once they'd come back to the retailer from being corrected by Swarovski, and finding myself 100% in agreement with your assessment of them (I'm also hugely enjoying them), I do now wonder if I might actually prefer some EL 10x32's to my NL Pure 10x32's, despite the very slight optical differences and wider FOV, due to them feeling so much better in the hand (in my opinion). The ergonomics are every bit as good as the Victory SF 32's, I'd argue, just lacking their (and the NL Pure's) exquisite focus mechanism.

If I spot some on the second hand market, I may just be tempted to try them...

Glad you're still enjoying the EL's. Those NL Pure 10 x32 are pretty amazing, if I was going to ever get a 10x I think they'd be the ones.

 

[Thotmosis]

At the moment I probably would keep my Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD, I think....but im not sure

Today it would be my Leica Duovid 8-12x42, two magnifications in one

 

[Veracocha]

EL 10 x 32. A wow a day!

 

[Bentley03]

Bentley,

I have not yet handled the NL 10x32, am a bit put off by the (apparent?) increased size for a 32. I regularly use a pre FP SV 8x32 and an early FP 10x32 and find the focus function on the FP noticeably smoother and more uniform. I agree with all the positive statements on the wonderful handling characteristics of the EL 32 models. The 10x32 EL would be on my short list for a "one and only".

Mike

Mike, I genuinely don't notice the difference in weight around my neck when I'm out walking, but the NL's do feel bigger and chunkier in the hand, for some reason. Including lens covers, rainguard and FP strap, the NL's weigh in at 808g and the EL's 722g. I have a preference for the EL's corded strapping over the NL's flat strapping. The corded strapping seems to avoid twists and tangles better, and overall just sits better. My EL's are two year old FP's and the focus feel is very smooth, even in both directions, and has that bit more tension than that of the NL's. It's a very fine mechanism, but compare it side by side with the NL's and they feel a world behind in their refinement (I exaggerate, but...)

I did own some EL 10x32's, for a day. They were my first experience of proper flat field binoculars, and I absolutely hated them, thought the view was like staring at a lifeless flat poster. But, I've come a long way since then, in terms of accepting, and enjoying, flat field binoculars. I'm still not completely sure I prefer it to a curved field. Anyway, yes, I must give the EL 10x32's another go, because I adore my EL 8x32's. They just lack that little bit of extra magnification I prefer.

 

[Bentley03]

Glad you're still enjoying the EL's. Those NL Pure 10 x32 are pretty amazing, if I was going to ever get a 10x I think they'd be the ones.

I'm enjoying them very much! 😁

You're not a 10x man...😉

 

[Dennis Mau]

Today it would be my Leica Duovid 8-12x42, two magnifications in one

How does the Leica Duovid 8-12x42 perform relative to say the Leica UVHD+ 8x42? I know it has a smaller FOV, but what about brightness and color saturation.

 

[Paultricounty]

I would change my choice to the Habicht 8x30 W over the Nikon E2 8x30. The Habicht is considerably brighter and has a sparkle because of it's super high transmission I just find addicting. The Bino Bandit helps with the glare and small eye cups on the Habicht.

Yeah but i heard it’s a glare monster and unusable. Where did I hear that, hmmm 🤔.
just hacking on you Dennis, no disrespect. ✌🏼

 

[Birdowin]

Only one pair? Not in my world. I just got a pair of Sig Sauer 16X40 Zulu image stabilizer binoculars and they are absolutely amazing. The image stabilizer makes the high power totally steady. The high power means it's a little harder to zero in on birds but with a little practice it's pretty easy. And half the cost of my other two pair.

 

[Birdowin]

Only one? I just bought the Sig Sauer 16x40 Zulu image stabilizer and they are amazing. The image stabilizer makes the higher power totally steady and clear. They are lightweight and half the cost of my other two pair. Due to the high power they have a smaller field of view but with a little practice it's not a problem. Great optics.

 

[pppppvvvv]

How does the Leica Duovid 8-12x42 perform relative to say the Leica UVHD+ 8x42? I know it has a smaller FOV, but what about brightness and color saturation.

I bought a pair of Zeiss 8x25 VP for short focus needed on reptile surveys, to complement my 8+12 duovids.
the 8x25s were brighter and sharper than the duovids at 8x. Think the FoV was slightly wider too(?)

I sold the duovids pretty quick. I think in this day and age you could probably get a better quality 8x and a 12x for less money and less combined weight!

 

[Snett_dweller]

8x32 EL - love them as much today as when I bought them (Oct 2019). Sometimes wish I had a higher magnification but these are the only ‘alpha’ pair I have so they get a lot of use.

 

[Paultricounty]

Only one pair? Not in my world. I just got a pair of Sig Sauer 16X40 Zulu image stabilizer binoculars and they are absolutely amazing. The image stabilizer makes the high power totally steady. The high power means it's a little harder to zero in on birds but with a little practice it's pretty easy. And half the cost of my other two pair.

How about a few photos of those beauties. Did you compare or research any other image stabilize binoculars? Maybe like the Canon 15 x 50?
Thank you

Paul

 

[mwhogue]

Mike, I genuinely don't notice the difference in weight around my neck when I'm out walking, but the NL's do feel bigger and chunkier in the hand, for some reason. Including lens covers, rainguard and FP strap, the NL's weigh in at 808g and the EL's 722g. I have a preference for the EL's corded strapping over the NL's flat strapping. The corded strapping seems to avoid twists and tangles better, and overall just sits better. My EL's are two year old FP's and the focus feel is very smooth, even in both directions, and has that bit more tension than that of the NL's. It's a very fine mechanism, but compare it side by side with the NL's and they feel a world behind in their refinement (I exaggerate, but...)

I did own some EL 10x32's, for a day. They were my first experience of proper flat field binoculars, and I absolutely hated them, thought the view was like staring at a lifeless flat poster. But, I've come a long way since then, in terms of accepting, and enjoying, flat field binoculars. I'm still not completely sure I prefer it to a curved field. Anyway, yes, I must give the EL 10x32's another go, because I adore my EL 8x32's. They just lack that little bit of extra magnification I prefer.

Bentley,

Thanks for the helpful input. I would be very interested in your comparison of the NL v. the SV FP 10x32. Don't recall offhand if I've read a direct comparison of the two.

Mike