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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by b_reynolds_ak

  1. b_reynolds_ak

    New binoculars from Swarovski: Range 32 and new phone adapter

    Unfortunately they have the same poor ergonomics as the Geovid Pro. The focus wheel so far back is horrible after using a modern NL, SF or even SFL. If the focus wheel had been on the other side of the bridge, they would handle so much better, especially one handed.
  2. b_reynolds_ak

    Tripod and head for Kowa TSN-773

    I would recommend the Really Right Stuff Ascend 14. For larger spotting scopes, the added stability of quality carbon fiber is very much appreciated. The 28mm upper legs of the RRS are MUCH more stable than the 32mm legs of a Leofoto or similar Chinese made tripod. Leofoto has good designs...
  3. b_reynolds_ak

    Servicing a 773 and eyepiece?

    Richard, I had a great experience with the service center in Torrence when I sent my TSN-77 in for servicing and cleaning. They took apart my eyepiece, cleaned and re pressurized. I had to pay for shipping to them, but the service and return shipping was covered by Kowa. They are a little hard...
  4. b_reynolds_ak

    Kowa 553 - 3rd party rotating collar

    I havn't tried his 553 Mount, but the Aziak Bino Mount is the most elegant and simple bino/tripod mount that I've ever tried. It weighs less than half an ounce and doesnt interfere with hand held operation.
  5. b_reynolds_ak

    Has build quality diminished? Optics are superb but the housing, focus, . . .

    I’m not sure. He uses them fairly often though. The feel varies on every NL or EL I try, wether gritty feeling, dead areas that are loose or stiction points. Whereas all the current Sf and SFL’s I’ve had in hand are uniformly smooth.
  6. b_reynolds_ak

    Has build quality diminished? Optics are superb but the housing, focus, . . .

    IMO, the only real thing you need to look out for on the NL 8x32’s you ordered is a careful examination the focus wheel, as you well know. A Swiss friend visited me here in Alaska this year and had a matching pair of 10x32 NL’s, his in Orange and mine green. While my focus wheel is beautiful...
  7. b_reynolds_ak

    Sweet spot in binocular line ups

    I get what you’re saying. It’s not about someone’s preference for one combination of power and objective, it’s when one combo out of a company’s lineup hits just right, as in a 8x32, but the 10x32 doesn’t work as well as another company’s for you. I absolutely think that is true. For instance...
  8. b_reynolds_ak

    Yet another review of the 8x40 SFL

    I recently received my 8x40 SFL and feel that it is fantastic all around bino. I've tested many high end, mid size, binoculars in the past few years as I searched for the perfect pair for my uses. The 8x32 BN's were probably my favorites due to their build quality and handling, and I'm glad...
  9. b_reynolds_ak

    SF 10x32 vs NL 10x32 Blackouts

    Alright, theres some uninformed opinions on this thread. Samp, I have owned both the SF and NL 10x32's and have extensive field experience with both. As much as I wanted to love the SF's, I could not get over the blackout issue as well. Despite trying every possible option, it was always there...
  10. b_reynolds_ak

    A Field Review of NL 8x32

    The cover that comes with the winged eyecup set is much more usable and comes on and off fine. While I do get flare at times as well, I would also get annoying reflections on the oculur lenses when the sun was behind or off to the side of me. The winged eyecups eliminated this issue atleast. I...
  11. b_reynolds_ak

    New Zeiss binos 8x40 SFL and 10x40 SFL

    Review from Robby Denning on Rokslide that was posted today. Some interesting observations from him that I have not seen addressed as of yet. New Zeiss Bino—SFL 10x40–Review: To note, the SFL is NOT in any “family“ of the Zeiss lines like Victory, Conquest, it’s just got the SF in it’s name...
  12. b_reynolds_ak

    TSN-99A Stay-on Cover

    https://www.optics4birding.com/kowa-neoprene-case-for-tsn-99a.html
  13. b_reynolds_ak

    773 Neoprene Stay on Case?

    Does anyone know of any neoprene stay on cases for the 773, similar to the ones that Kowa makes for the 55 and 88 series? UK or US availability works for me.
  14. b_reynolds_ak

    NL Pure 8x32 vs 10x32

    I have the 10x32 NL with the headrest. I generally prefer 8x, but for the particular use case for this bino, 10x is what I need. The field of view is impressive, I think it is similar to what you already see with the 8.5’s. The headrest absolutely makes a noticeable difference in stability with...
  15. b_reynolds_ak

    Review of 8x25 Victory Pocket

    I’ve had my pair for over a year. In that time they have come on a mountain sheep hunt, ride inside the center console of my truck continually, observe wildlife and birds multiple times a week and come on every backcountry ski and snow machine trip into your mountains that I go on, riding in the...
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