• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by bearclawthedonut

  1. B

    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    Brock: I strongly agree. I do not understand why a millimeter can not remain a millimeter? Why it should suddenly become 0.9 mm or 1.1 mm? There needs to be common agreement on the starting and ending points; thus defining eye relief. bearclawthedonut
  2. B

    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    elkclub: Nonsense! Of course when you look through a pipe - you have a restricted FOV. Just like when you look through any optical device - you have a restricted FOV. However, if you place your eye beyond the focal point/plane, then you see less of the image (loosing a portion of the image...
  3. B

    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    tilling: Tunnel vision has nothing to do with FOV. Your FOV is your FOV. Big, small or indifferent your FOV is your FOV for that particular binocular. More is not better. More is just more. Tunnel vision is when your eyes are placed beyond your binocular's focal point. If the eye relief...
  4. B

    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    Brock: Yes I found my Monarch 5 10x42's "3D effect" to be surprising. I had not experienced this since owning a Pentax 10x40WP porro many years ago. That was a very frustrating binocular for me as I could not hold it steady enough for effective use. Also it was pretty dim. Perhaps the 3D...
  5. B

    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    cnick6: As I have never looked through a Vortex Viper HD 10x42, I have no concept, whatsoever, as to the quality of the image it presents. I have looked through the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 on several occasions, twice for extended (one to two hour time frames) views. I feel very comfortable with...
  6. B

    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    I purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 a few months back and I was so pleased with it that I ordered the 8x42 version when Nikon recently reoffered their $50 rebate. I received the Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 and after a couple of weeks of use, I can offer the following initial impressions: It is...
  7. B

    Plastic body vs Metal

    elkcub: I whole heartedly agree with you. The current Swaro 8x30 is a dream to hold. But its 15mm of eye relief is perhaps the shortest 15mm that I've encountered. In front of my eyeglasses it presents a little tiny image. It looks sharp as a tack (?), but its like looking through a...
  8. B

    Plastic body vs Metal

    Binastro: My first binocular was a made in Japan, Sears 7x35 wide angle, aluminum framed porro with black "leatherette" glued to the frame. I kept it on my boat, 23' Chris Craft Lancer, continuously for two years and then off and on for another two years. It was covered in pits and had...
  9. B

    Plastic body vs Metal

    Annabeth2: There are a number of reasons that Alpha binoculars are mainly made with magnesium frames, but the foremost reason is consumer expectation. Swaro was the first to use magnesium frames and all the other Alpha manufacturers followed in order to stay at Swaro's "quality level". This...
  10. B

    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    NDhunter: Unfortunately, there is very little connection between light weight and quality in binoculars, particularly image quality. The connection is between light weight and excellent handling. The Vortex Razor HD 8x42 ($1200+/-) is a very, very good handling binocular, most particularly as...
  11. B

    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    rdpx: Handling is very important! The M7 8x30 is small, but at 4.75" - it SHOULD offer a comfortable grip, but unfortunately, Nikon has misplaced the strap attachment location. It's positioned about 0.5" below the eyepiece, instead of being directly below the eyepiece. Thus, its length (for...
  12. B

    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    rdpx: Unfortunately, these Nikon instant rebates, see below, will probably lapse by "next month". The present selling price for the Monarch 5 and 7 8x30/42 is and will again be $50 above the rebated prices below. Perhaps you could email opticsplanet.com or adorama.com and ask them how long...
  13. B

    Nikon Monarch 7 vs Alpen Teton HD?

    raptorbfl: Just purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 (ED-7576) 8x42 from opticsplanet.com for $225. Presently, I do not know how long it will last, Nikon is once again OFFERING A $50.00 INSTANT REBATE. It does npt appear (?) that all retail outlets are offering this rebate. It is being offered at...
  14. B

    Nikon Monarch 5 or Vortex Diamondback??

    raptorbfl: Just purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 (ED-7576) 8x42 from opticsplanet.com for $225. Presently, I do not know how long it will last, Nikon is once again OFFERING A $50.00 INSTANT REBATE. It does not appear (?) that all retail outlets are offering this rebate. It is being offered at...
  15. B

    Nikon Monarch 5 or Vortex Diamondback??

    raptorbfl: My Nikon Monarch 5(ED) 10x42 is an exceptional binocular presenting excellent image quality combined with outstanding handling. Its a far better value (price x quality) than the underperforming Monarch 7 with its small sweet spot and poor edges, thus negating its very wide FOV...
See more
Back
Top