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

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    Review selects Athlon Midas 8x42 best value binocular

    "To find the best binoculars, we had a professional ornithologist spend over 100 hours field-testing 17 pairs against his own $2,500 Leica Ultravids. After using our test pairs in the mountains and hills of Southern California, then on a research trip to the rain forests of southern Mexico, he...
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    Eagle Optics To Close

    I live 5 miles from EO and have been purchasing OTC from them for about 25 years. As far as I know, their B&M store is still open, at least until recently. I last visited it about a year ago. Nikon did indeed drop them, at least two years ago. I also think that this is mostly due to...
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    Best tripod mounted high power terrestrial Binocluars

    I've taken a look through these and was impressed. They also offer them in a 20x56, with significantly reduced FOV. Have never seen one, but have heard good things about the Meopta Meostar 15x56. They have fluoride objective lens.
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    Allbnos Rankings

    I like the allbinos' ratings. I don't necessarily agree with their summary ratings, but find the individual scores to be useful. You don't have to accept their final total scores as gospel. One can enter their individual scores into a spreadsheet, apply your own weighting, as to what is most...
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    Why 8x32 SE

    Question for those who wear eyeglasses. According to the measurements published by allbinos.com, the eye relief of the EII is 13.8mm vs the SE's 17.4mm. Normally 13.8mm is insufficient for most eyeglass wearers. I'm assuming the SE has sufficient eye relief for eyeglass wearers. Has...
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    Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32

    Had a chance today to stop by a Wild Birds Unlimited and compare my Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 vs a few Eagle Optics and Vortex binos. Head to head vs the $320 Eagle Optics New Ranger ED 8x32, I am happy to say that I'm very glad I popped for the Sightron, for if I had gone with the EO, I'd be...
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    Midsize Binocular Shootout: Opticron Oregon 8x32 vs Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 vs MavenB3

    Your copy certainly seems to be worse than mine. You've also mentioned that it has a stiff focuser. My Blue Sky has a wonderfully smooth focuser. I wish all of my binos focused exactly like it. And my diopter adjustment is fairly good too, moves smoothly but a bit stiff. Easy to adjust and...
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    Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32

    There's an oddity about the Sightron for me which defies my understanding. I have significant astigmatism in my right eye, to the point of having some double vision. It is correctable through eyeglasses and contacts. Through many binoculars this doubling is present when I use them naked...
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    Celestron Cypress 7x30

    I got buydig's next to last 8x30 for $39 with free shipping. Just as a car bino, or perhaps to give to my daughter. Certainly it is inexpensively made, but a usable bino, especially for the price. Surprisingly good for $39!!
  10. T

    suggestions for a sub $300 10x42?

    The Vanguard Spirit ED 10x42 is $219 from Eagle Optics, and eligible for a $60 rebate, bringing the price down to $159 with free shipping. However they are out of stock right now. Not surprising.
  11. T

    Good Nikon Porros?

    The Allbinos review of the EII 8x30 measured its eye relief as 13.8mm. The only Aculon they have measured is the 10x50, which was 11.8mm They found that the Action EX 8x40 measured at 17.2mm.
  12. T

    Want to upgrade from Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD

    Zen-Ray offers a 7x36 ED2. Atlas Optics a 7x36 ED (may be essentially the same bino). Celestron Granite 7x33.
  13. T

    Midsize Binocular Shootout: Opticron Oregon 8x32 vs Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 vs MavenB3

    This is an interesting observation. I just took my Sightron out with 5 other binoculars, no alphas but a couple of fairly decent ones, including a Nikon Premier LX-L, an older Bausch & Lomb Custom, an older Nikon 7x35. The Sightron's center resolution held up very well in this group. I...
  14. T

    Is Zen Ray still in business? Can't get support.

    Apparently still in business, but sounds a little shaky when they don't fix their email for 2-3 months. I could see having problems for 2-3 days.
  15. T

    Moderately priced 8x30-32 compact.

    I had the opportunity to briefly compare the Vortex Diamondback 8x32 vs the Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32 and I liked the Sightron better. The SII had a little less glare, a little less CA, a little better (deeper) FOV. The Vortex is a decent binocular with a great warranty and worth its price...
  16. T

    Kenko Ultraview OP 8x32 DH review

    Wow! That is a HUGE difference! You are saying that the Kenko's FOV is only roughly 70% that of the SLC, despite both stating almost identical specs? That it's actual FOV at 1000m is closer to just 100m?
  17. T

    Nikon 8x30 EII

    Not rare, but one must be careful. Off of the top of my head, I'd guess that about 1/3rd can go to 74-75. The 8x32 SE has a max IPD of 74.1mm. The M7 8x30 is 73.2mm. The 8x42 EDG opens way up to 78.1mm. The 10x35 EII is 74. This reminds me, I did try the M7 8X30 and it was just a shade...
  18. T

    Nikon 8x30 EII

    No, I haven't tried an EII. Have never had my hands on one. However my experience, with several binoculars, has been that if they don't have a full 74mm IPD, then it is a very frustrating experience for me to try to use them. One where I have to extend them to maximum, position my eyes...
  19. T

    Nikon 8x30 EII

    I wish the EII had 1 more mm of IPD. Allbinos measured its maximum IPD at 73.2mm. According to my eye doctor, mine is 73.8mm. Also its eye relief was measured at 13.8mm, which is on the low side when used with glasses, and not enough with certain types of glasses. Another mm here would be...
  20. T

    Another "what bins should I buy?" thread

    With the Spirit ED presently available for $159, it is certainly an attractive option.
  21. T

    Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32

    I am very glad that I jumped on the deal and picked one up. I will be putting it to good use. In terms of bang for the buck, it may be my best binocular.
  22. T

    Bushnell 7 x 26 CC or Leopold Yosemite

    Looks like Kenmore Camera is selling off several Kenko binos on Ebay, at well below typical market price. Perhaps they are dropping the line. Good deals to be had.
  23. T

    Bresser Everest 8×42 ED vs. Celestron Granite 8×42 ED

    Thanks for the link. Looks like a great value if one is looking for an 8x42. Nice to get ED glass at that price.
  24. T

    Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32

    The sun came out this afternoon and I was able to get out for some more observations of the Sightron. Very bright conditions, with the sun up about 20 degrees from the horizon, some high clouds, and lots of snow. I had a pair of REI XR 8x32 binos with me for comparison. Not exactly an alpha...
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    Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32

    I too have joined the legions of Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32 owners. When Optics Planet ran their $157 inc shipping special a few days ago, I could no longer resist. I've only had them for a couple of days, both overcast, so no thorough testing as yet. However my initial impressions are very...
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