• 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.

Search results

thxpress_search_the_forum Search Opus
  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...
  16. b_reynolds_ak

    What’s about Reviews of the NL 10x32

    I personally use, and love, the 10x32 NL. Denco’s and Bentleys observations and statements regarding them are absolutely spot on. I wanted to love the 10x32 SF, but the comments Bentley made regarding them are exactly what I found as well.
  17. b_reynolds_ak

    Focuser smoothness on NL Pure?

    I have tried two pairs of 10x42 NL’s and 2 pairs of 10x32’s. I was comparing directly to Zeiss 8x32 SF’s as far as focus is concerned. The Zeiss was smoother than any of them. The 42 mil objective NL’s both had really nasty stiction near infinity and again at about 15 yards. The first pair of...
  18. b_reynolds_ak

    NL32 vs SF32 (and a few others)

    I don’t wear glasses and do not know the specific environmentals at that time. Like Bill said, the relatively low profile eye cups and large ocular elements are the most likely culprits. I have the eye cups extended 2 clicks up from all the way in and also have the Winged Eyecups installed to...
  19. b_reynolds_ak

    NL32 vs SF32 (and a few others)

    I recently experienced more condensation than expected while using my 10x32 NL’s on a 50 degree morning. I’ve had this happen before with other optics, but it did seem like it was a little worse with these. In my opinion, I’m thinking it may be partially due to the coating on the external glass...
  20. b_reynolds_ak

    NL Pure 8x32 and NL Pure 10x32!

    I feel the same as you. Curiosity got the better of me and I purchased the headrest for my 10x32's. At closer viewing distances, I dont feel a need for the headrest. However I do a lot of glassing at long distances in the mountains. This is where the rest really shines. It makes a noticeable...
  21. b_reynolds_ak

    It’s May!—has anybody bought/tried out a NL Pure 32 yet?

    I got rid of the SF just because I really wanted a 10x32 and I could not get along with that format in the SF. It gave me rolling ball issues and were sensitive to blackouts. Love the feel and ease of use of the 8x32 SF. I’m very happy with the 10x32 NL. It really is spectacular using it in the...
  22. b_reynolds_ak

    It’s May!—has anybody bought/tried out a NL Pure 32 yet?

    My first pair of 10x32’s went back due to a poor seam on the armor of one barrel, along with a bump of glue under the armor where it wasn’t supposed to be. It also had a bit of stiction in the focus wheel, right at infinity. The pair I just received to replace it are much better. No...
  23. b_reynolds_ak

    NL 10x32 vs SF 10x32

    I have to agree with Jcnguyen. After receiving my 10x32 NL’s, I am beyond happy with them. However, I like the ergos and focus wheel of the SF better. They just feel better in my hand and the focus is buttery smooth in the SF’s. If I wanted the best 8x32, I would go SF. If I wanted the best...
  24. b_reynolds_ak

    It’s May!—has anybody bought/tried out a NL Pure 32 yet?

    To me, the bright spots indicate stray light and perhaps a tendency for more glare. I believe the baffles within the optic have a lot to do with this. Now that I have had both days of overcast as well as bright sun, I can confirm that this is indeed the case. The NL exhibits more veiling glare...
  25. b_reynolds_ak

    It’s May!—has anybody bought/tried out a NL Pure 32 yet?

    I took the photo with an iPhone 11 Pro. Yes it was taken slightly off axis to show the SF as well. Both were pointed towards a snowy mountain with bright overcast sky and dark trees below. It was quite obvious that the SF’s were very dark inside while the NL’s showed those distinctive bright...
Back
Top