I don't think he got over excited.
The 42mm 8.5 Swarovision at 29.5 ounces (another double hinged binocular like the Noctivid) weighs barely an ounce less than the 8x42 Noctivid at 30.3 ounces and no one is making a big deal about what it weighs.
Bob
I would of liked to have known if the difference from the 8X42 UV HD Plus is worth an upgrade.
Headed to Novokuznetsk (SouthWest Siberia) Thursday through the 17th, my 8X42's will be along. Earlier this month below.
I had a good try with an 8x42 Noctivid today, it was overcast and cloudy.
I`m thrilled for all the new owners who have found it so satisfying but for whatever reason I just was`nt seeing the wow.
I had a good try with an 8x42 Noctivid today, it was overcast and cloudy.
The mechanical and build quality come across as pure Alpha, I can find nothing to complain about, the only ergonomic negative for me is the strap lugs, too big, cheap looking and for me poorly positioned.
The biggest disappointment was the view, where was the image plasticity, where was the depth of field, where was the contrast I`v read so much about, I`m so disappointed, I`m a big time Leica fan but nothing I saw in the NV blew me away.
The fov felt narrower than quoted, still a bit more CA than I expected, and not as bright as I would have liked.
I`m thrilled for all the new owners who have found it so satisfying but for whatever reason I just was`nt seeing the wow.
If you are already used to using top bins then its hard to imagine being blown away by the Nvid. Hard to imaging anything coming out that will be considerably or noticeably better than an SF/SV/UVid+/EDG, etc.
I think it's because SF brought the weight down a bit , an improvement over SV. The fact the Leica is shorter, some of us hoped it would be relatively light as well. And, some of us were hoping that ergonomics and weight would be considered much more in the design process for the Noctivid. We were hoping to see improvements here.
First time I tried SF was when it just came out at the nature store. I only tried it for a few minutes, but I immediately noticed it felt lighter than SV and had good feel.
I got a second chance this weekend when a birder (who I never met before) allowed me to try his 10x42 SF. I got the same impression again - ergonomics of the SF are great. IMO Zeiss did a wonderful job here. It's a big, long binocular , but I have to say it is very comfortable to use and the focus was nice and smooth too albeit a bit fast for me. I normally like compact binos, but I could see myself getting by fine with the SF. It's just so darn expensive.
Lee and GG,
I was`nt rushed and spent a good while with it, I`m not sure I had unrealistic expectations, its just considering the marketing and the enthusiasm I`v read from others that have tried it I was expecting to see something new, something not on offer from Zeiss or Swaro, but it felt like more of the same (from Leica), and sadly for me a definite 3rd place to SF/SV.
Hopefully it won`t be the last NV I try, so maybe another example. another day I`ll feel differently.
Hi John
Sounds like the same sort of weather as I had at Bird Fair and weather like that doesn't do any bins any favours.
Lee
How do you think the Nvid compares to UV+ ?