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    Victory FL or Ultravid (non-HD)

    Very well said. I would add that an individual could easily like a Z best one day, L the next, and S the next (you can read the stories here). You really have to spend time (over time) with a bin to see how well you handle the compromises. FWIW, after a multi-year (ongoing) search, I've...
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    what are the "weaknesses" if any of the 8.5x42 EL?

    IMO The Sweet Spot is noticeably wider in the 8.5x42. APS
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    MEOPTA 7x42 TEST REPORT...WOW

    Brock, If I were going to consider "RED CHINA" bins, I'd more than likely "audition" the ZR 8x. Something about (all of) them though is just not exciting. May simply be the RED CHINA thing - I don't know. 308, The Meopta does continue to linger as a contender. Maybe it's the EURO thing...
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    MEOPTA 7x42 TEST REPORT...WOW

    Yes, interesting perceptions 308. I've only auditioned the 10x42 Meoptas, but have never quite gotten them out of my mind. Your type of report adds confirmation to the impression I had. Also, I recently had the SLC 7x42 in my possession as well. Overall, quite nice. The sweet spot size...
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    What's your very favorite Roof and Porro Prism?

    In the best/worst of all possible worlds: Roof: (tie) Leica 7.5x37 BS HD (anticipated late 2010) Swaro 8x36 EL II (anticipated early 2011) (runner up: Zeiss 8x40 FL2) Porro: Nikon 8x34 XSE II (anticipated by end of 2011) NOTE: twist/adjustable eyecups...
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    Zen Ray ED2 7x36 evaluations and review

    I think they are now listed at $650. Also, has anyone confirmed the 477' FOV? Or better yet, compared them to a 420' FOV? APS
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    what are the "weaknesses" if any of the 8.5x42 EL?

    If we're supposed to try to pick the things apart: - FOV is sub-400' - exposed bare metal inside open hinge - overall size - tubes almost too big for some holding styles - weight - not the lightest in class Despite all these picky criticisms, if I could win a binocular somehow, this one...
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    Minox 8x33hg or leupold gr 8x32 ?

    In that price range, the Meopta seems to be obvious choice, UNLESS you can find a super deal on a "prior-Alpha". APS
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    Will Leica upgrade ratchety focus?

    Hi John. Thanks much for the reply. That is very good to know. I now wonder what Leica would charge for this "repair", if it is NOT under warranty. Also, I'm wondering what time of the year I would miss the bins the least ... APS
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    Off-axis sharpness Trinovid 8x32

    Wow! Thank you Surveyor, for such fascinating information. Very, very interesting - not only the comparison at hand, but also the test format. This is useful in comparing the powers, FOV, etc as well, perhaps brightness too. Seems like this could be refined/expanded to study all sorts of...
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    Off-axis sharpness Trinovid 8x32

    The consensus seems to be that Leica gets soft away from center. However, although my BN 8x32 is not "sharp to edges" (not that any glass is), it actually performs quite well off-axis. Is there a significant variance from model to model concerning such? I am particularly interested in the...
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    Will Leica upgrade ratchety focus?

    Does anyone know if Leica will improve the focus of regular Ultravids to resemble newer HDs? Thanks, APS (EDIT) I mean as a billable service to the regular Ultravid.
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    What defines what an Alpha binoculars is?

    This really about covers it. But, there is something to the statement by ronh: "Once an alpha, always an alpha." I suggest as an alternate that those be placed a special Past-Alpha category. And to be fair to the SLCs and Trinovid, etc shouldn't there be something like a Alpha-1or Prior-Alpha...
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    Ultravid HD edge sharpness

    I find edge sharpness to be one of the most critical factors in the enjoyment (and usefulness) of binoculars. I suspect it is one of the key challenges which optical designers face - that is, achieving a large area that is of acceptable sharpness. As discussed here previously, it seems to be...
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    A Very Happy Zen-ray Owner

    The market (here on BF that is) seems to have been wanting for some time now an alpha class 7x32,36. Zen seems to have something tantalizingly close here, but not quite. That is a huge compliment to the Zen. But, folks might not want 2nd tier performance at a 3rd tier price. They want alpha...
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    A Very Happy Zen-ray Owner

    Makes sense. Just keep in mind that the Leica BN has a lot going for as a birding glass. Plus, it's a classic. Not sure about the entomology. I do know a guy who carries two glasses at the same time - a Papilio and a Swaro SLC 8x56. He is a highly respected naturalist locally. APS
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    Vortex Viper 6x32

    Good to hear of a hunter looking at lower power glass. Makes alot of sense, esp for woodland bowhunting.
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    A Very Happy Zen-ray Owner

    What do you wish to gain?
  19. A

    Budget 8x30 porros/8x30 porro "sleepers"

    Nikon EII 8x30! A case can be made that it offers the best view ever. Sold for ~$300 a few years back. If you find one, buy it, and then you will have a new hobby, that is - trying to find a better view, at almost any price.
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    Zen Ray ED2 7x36 evaluations and review

    Bob A (SD), Your reply is very helpful. The comparisons with the SLC make a big impression. Wow. FrankD, Any chance though that this is a sample variation issue (unlike SE)? Yes but this is a 7x36 (different arrangement), right? Looking forward to it. The mighty EII...
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    Zen Ray ED2 7x36 evaluations and review

    So, as it is, this "Crescent issue" has us potential second issue folks wondering. It's really an interesting phenomenon in that there's not a concensus. I fully understand Fireform's perspective. It's clearly objectionable in his situation. I suspect it would be in mine as well. Glare...
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    FL 7x42 vs SLCnew 7x42

    http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=65206&page=2 See post #30
  23. A

    Tests of Atlas Intrepid 8x42 and 10x42

    Anyone know how much adjustment these eccentric rings give?
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    SE 10x42 underwhelming

    Thanks for all the comments. I do suspect that something was slightly amiss with my particular sample. (This sample was a Refurbished unit.) This sort of suspicion always complicates matters greatly when trying to develop an impression of a model. Of course, I'd like to try another but that...
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    SE 10x42 underwhelming

    I recently had a pair of Nikon SE10x42 binos in my possession. It was an exciting event, as I had never experienced the legendary SE view. I have wanted to add a high quality 10x to the gear for some time, but have always backed away. Well ... in short, the SE just didn't "WOW" me. Now...
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