BruceH
Avatar: Harris Hawk
Along the lines of the recent 2017 Optics Year in Review thread, I thought it might be interesting to have a thread for members to post what they are thinking for their 2018 optical adventures.
Possible topics are:
- Planned purchases.
- Optics that have your interest and you would like to look at this year.
- What you may sell this year.
- Possible viewing experiences (trips) or shows planned for 2018.
- Any other optics plans for 2018.
Feel free to use any format or structure that works!
Keep in mind this thread will be here come December 2018 and we can all come back and see how you did! I know what I did for 2017 was not much like I was thinking this time last year.
Happy New Year!!!
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Ok, let me get it started.
Planned Purchases: There is nothing on my mental list right now. The closest is the Zeiss FL 8X32. I had a chance to look at one last summer for the first time in several years and I forgot how nice it is. I like the idea of top tier optics in such a small and light package. If Zeiss does discontinue it this year and there are some good closeouts, then I suspect the temptation will to great and I will bite.
On the Radar: Without doubt, the first would be a new release of a Zeiss Victory 8X32. Being a big fan of the SF 8X42, I would have to give a new Victory 8X32 a serious look. Realistic, this may be a 2019 item.
Rumor has it that Leica may beat Zeiss and come out with a Noctivid 8X32 this year. If so, then that would be something to check out. The new classic Trinovid is also on the want to see list if it does become available.
Another rumor is Nikon will be expanding the Monarch HG offering. Having picked up one of these in an 8X42 and really liking it, I would definitely check out any 8X32.
One that is out and I definitely want to see is the new Swaro CL companion in the 8X30. It is less likely I would buy it even though it looks to be excellent. I have been leaning toward small and lightweight in the 30mm class and the FL comes out ahead there. If I were to go larger, I would probably want to go all out with a new Victory or Noctivid. I ready will not know until the time comes. This could be one of those "What would Chuck do" moments! If so, then I am toast.
I do not own a pocket model and so I would like to see the new Zeiss Victory pocket in an 8X. I did briefly look though the Zeiss pocket Terra 8X and it is a possibility but I thought it would be best to wait until checking out the Victory pocket.
One other optic on my must see list is the new Zeiss Harpia spotting scope coming out soon. It sure looks great on paper so we shall see if Zeiss was able to get it together for real use. The big downside is the price. That one would be difficult to justify.
Sales: As I buy new models, I have more that just do not get used anymore and I really should sell some of them. There just are not enough outings in a year to get good utilization out of all of them. Some of these need to find a new home. Of course I was thinking this last year but did not do a lot about it. It is a lot easier to buy than it is to sell!
Trips: No special trips are planned. Hopefully I will do the usual of hitting the local riparians and the mountain areas this summer. The Crane Festival in New Mexico is a possibility and then I usually make a day trip to the expo at the Tucson Festival. There is a Crane show in Willcox, AZ this month so it may be worth a day visit. Chip representing Opticron should be there.
Other: Try to find the time to improve my technical understanding of optics.
That is all I can think of at the moments so let's see what ideas we can get from other members.
Possible topics are:
- Planned purchases.
- Optics that have your interest and you would like to look at this year.
- What you may sell this year.
- Possible viewing experiences (trips) or shows planned for 2018.
- Any other optics plans for 2018.
Feel free to use any format or structure that works!
Keep in mind this thread will be here come December 2018 and we can all come back and see how you did! I know what I did for 2017 was not much like I was thinking this time last year.
Happy New Year!!!
----------------
Ok, let me get it started.
Planned Purchases: There is nothing on my mental list right now. The closest is the Zeiss FL 8X32. I had a chance to look at one last summer for the first time in several years and I forgot how nice it is. I like the idea of top tier optics in such a small and light package. If Zeiss does discontinue it this year and there are some good closeouts, then I suspect the temptation will to great and I will bite.
On the Radar: Without doubt, the first would be a new release of a Zeiss Victory 8X32. Being a big fan of the SF 8X42, I would have to give a new Victory 8X32 a serious look. Realistic, this may be a 2019 item.
Rumor has it that Leica may beat Zeiss and come out with a Noctivid 8X32 this year. If so, then that would be something to check out. The new classic Trinovid is also on the want to see list if it does become available.
Another rumor is Nikon will be expanding the Monarch HG offering. Having picked up one of these in an 8X42 and really liking it, I would definitely check out any 8X32.
One that is out and I definitely want to see is the new Swaro CL companion in the 8X30. It is less likely I would buy it even though it looks to be excellent. I have been leaning toward small and lightweight in the 30mm class and the FL comes out ahead there. If I were to go larger, I would probably want to go all out with a new Victory or Noctivid. I ready will not know until the time comes. This could be one of those "What would Chuck do" moments! If so, then I am toast.
I do not own a pocket model and so I would like to see the new Zeiss Victory pocket in an 8X. I did briefly look though the Zeiss pocket Terra 8X and it is a possibility but I thought it would be best to wait until checking out the Victory pocket.
One other optic on my must see list is the new Zeiss Harpia spotting scope coming out soon. It sure looks great on paper so we shall see if Zeiss was able to get it together for real use. The big downside is the price. That one would be difficult to justify.
Sales: As I buy new models, I have more that just do not get used anymore and I really should sell some of them. There just are not enough outings in a year to get good utilization out of all of them. Some of these need to find a new home. Of course I was thinking this last year but did not do a lot about it. It is a lot easier to buy than it is to sell!
Trips: No special trips are planned. Hopefully I will do the usual of hitting the local riparians and the mountain areas this summer. The Crane Festival in New Mexico is a possibility and then I usually make a day trip to the expo at the Tucson Festival. There is a Crane show in Willcox, AZ this month so it may be worth a day visit. Chip representing Opticron should be there.
Other: Try to find the time to improve my technical understanding of optics.
That is all I can think of at the moments so let's see what ideas we can get from other members.