Hawks and 7X42

[Pileatus]

In "Hawks From Every Angle" by Jerry Liguori, the author makes the following statement regarding the selection of binoculars. “The magnification one chooses should be based on what is most comfortable. I use 7X (magnification) binoculars for watching hawks because I prefer an extra wide field of view; however many birders prefer the added power of 8X to 10X binoculars.”

The book is the finest hawk-watching guide I’ve seen and Jerry’s binocular advice is as good as it gets!

John

[Blincodave]

John,

I know we have corresponded on the merits of Leica Ultravid 7 x and Nikon 8 x SEs. I still can't convince myself, however, that a step down from 8 x to 7 x would not leave me missing the slightly bigger image of the bird.

Dave

[karmantra]

I have viewed raptors through both 7x and 8x, and I find that 8x is more 'comfortable' viewing for me. I tend to get more eyestrain or 'tired eyes' looking through 7x--I think it is because my eyes are subconsciously straining to pick out more resolution at 7x than at 8x. 10x is just too shaky for me for raptor viewing.

[Otto McDiesel]

It's all about personal preference, eyes, and brain.
Yesterday morning i was watching birds while drinking coffee in the backyard, and i was using a Nikon EII 8x30. I saw something that looked like a weird small Turkey Vulture, but i could not quite make enough detail, or i wanted to see more...So i fetched the Ultravid 10x42. With the 10x42 i immediately realized that i was looking at a black (male?) Rough Legged Hawk. I somehow saw more with the 10x because i am used to 10x, or some other reason.

Let's not turn this into a stupid 8x vs 10x debate. All i want to say is that 10x worked better that morning, but i could live forever with a 8x32 Trinovid or Nikon. I would take a premium 7x or 8x over a mediocre 10x anytime.

[Pileatus]

It's all about personal preference, eyes, and brain.
Yesterday morning i was watching birds while drinking coffee in the backyard, and i was using a Nikon EII 8x30. I saw something that looked like a weird small Turkey Vulture, but i could not quite make enough detail, or i wanted to see more...So i fetched the Ultravid 10x42. With the 10x42 i immediately realized that i was looking at a black (male?) Rough Legged Hawk. I somehow saw more with the 10x because i am used to 10x, or some other reason.

Let's not turn this into a stupid 8x vs 10x debate. All i want to say is that 10x worked better that morning, but i could live forever with a 8x32 Trinovid or Nikon. I would take a premium 7x or 8x over a mediocre 10x anytime.
I was surprised to find out that several of the official counters at our hawk watch use 8X Leica Trinovids. All season long I assumed they were 10X! The bins I’ve seen among the regular visitors are: many old timers carry the Zeiss Classic 10X40, two pairs of SLC 10X50, several 8X Trinovids, a few 10X Trinovids, one 10X SLC, one Swarovski EL (mag unknown), one Nikon LX 8X42, one Nikon 10X42 SE, one Ultravid 7X42, and one Zeiss 7X42. A lot of porros show up among visitors as well as a sampling of roofs. Everyone is friendly, eager to learn, eager to share, and totally unconcerned about the bin you carry. Perhaps the cliff keeps people’s emotions in check!

John

[Grousemore]

...and Jerry’s binocular advice is as good as it gets!

John

The only advice he gives is to be careful of the 'small field of view' of compact binoculars.
As far as magnification goes, he correctly leaves it to personal preference.

The book is fine, but only deals with Hawks in flight, not perched.

Inexplicably, Short-tailed Hawk is omitted from the book!

[FrankD]

I was surprised to find out that several of the official counters at our hawk watch use 8X Leica Trinovids. All season long I assumed they were 10X! The bins I’ve seen among the regular visitors are: many old timers carry the Zeiss Classic 10X40, two pairs of SLC 10X50, several 8X Trinovids, a few 10X Trinovids, one 10X SLC, one Swarovski EL (mag unknown), one Nikon LX 8X42, one Nikon 10X42 SE, one Ultravid 7X42, and one Zeiss 7X42. A lot of porros show up among visitors as well as a sampling of roofs. Everyone is friendly, eager to learn, eager to share, and totally unconcerned about the bin you carry. Perhaps the cliff keeps people’s emotions in check!


John,

Were you up at Bake Oven again recently? My grandfather-in-law was up there one day last week and was priveleged enough to see 5 golden eagles and two bald eagles in the afternoon. I have not been up recently but might try to get up at least once over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hawks From Every Angle" by Jerry Liguori

Any chance I might be able to pick that book up at the Hawk Mountain bookstore? I would be interested in reading more on his experiences. I always enjoyed the view through my 7x35 Es.