I've purchased a Genesis 8.5x44 a month ago, after using a Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 for about two years. That's also about how long I've been doing serious birding. The Zeiss I've obtained from my partner, after they got themselves a Swarovski CL Companion 8x30.
The Zeiss' was a frustrating thing for me, as I observe with glasses - something that's difficult with the Zeiss. My partner and I also had the budget available to buy the Kowa TSN-883 a year ago and we've both been totally happy with it's quality, also compared to various Swarovski and Zeiss scopes.
My goal for a new Binocular was ~1000 Euro, glasses-friendly and low chromatic aberrations: I'm also a photographer and see CA easily, and they bother me. Hence, the genesis was quickly at the top of my list, except the spec sheet didn't seem up to date: Heavy, only moderately wide field of view, etc.
After ordering and testing two Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 and 10x42, I tested the Genesis at a dealer who stocks them. I decided for the Kowa, despite the weight and narrower FoV. In hand, the weight was for me (mid-30ies and generally fit) hardly different to the Nikon, but the rubber seemed more reassuring. I actually found looking 'around' in the view gave me less blackouts than the Nikon, and the nikon was basically CA free dead center, but had considerable CA towards the edges. And, in direct comparison the Field of view difference didn't seem significant. 145m vs. 123 sounds like a large difference, but somehow the even easier view for me with the Kowa set this off.
I wear it with an H-Strap or with hooks attached to my backpack, if I bring photo gear, and the weight is manageable. The large size can be a slight nuisance when packing, but that's a minor issue.
Overall, each time I'm using it I just enjoy the incredible view. I can only describe it as "like without binoculars, just 8.5x the magnification", there's so little aberrations or softness.
The Zeiss' was a frustrating thing for me, as I observe with glasses - something that's difficult with the Zeiss. My partner and I also had the budget available to buy the Kowa TSN-883 a year ago and we've both been totally happy with it's quality, also compared to various Swarovski and Zeiss scopes.
My goal for a new Binocular was ~1000 Euro, glasses-friendly and low chromatic aberrations: I'm also a photographer and see CA easily, and they bother me. Hence, the genesis was quickly at the top of my list, except the spec sheet didn't seem up to date: Heavy, only moderately wide field of view, etc.
After ordering and testing two Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 and 10x42, I tested the Genesis at a dealer who stocks them. I decided for the Kowa, despite the weight and narrower FoV. In hand, the weight was for me (mid-30ies and generally fit) hardly different to the Nikon, but the rubber seemed more reassuring. I actually found looking 'around' in the view gave me less blackouts than the Nikon, and the nikon was basically CA free dead center, but had considerable CA towards the edges. And, in direct comparison the Field of view difference didn't seem significant. 145m vs. 123 sounds like a large difference, but somehow the even easier view for me with the Kowa set this off.
I wear it with an H-Strap or with hooks attached to my backpack, if I bring photo gear, and the weight is manageable. The large size can be a slight nuisance when packing, but that's a minor issue.
Overall, each time I'm using it I just enjoy the incredible view. I can only describe it as "like without binoculars, just 8.5x the magnification", there's so little aberrations or softness.