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

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  1. C

    Which sub-Alpha 10x42s?

    jraider - I actually liked my Meostar a lot, especially the optics and build quality, but always thought it was too heavy and found the diopter adjustment awkward when sharing the binocular with others. The focus mechanism on the GPO seems to be essentially the same speed as the Meostar but...
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    Which sub-Alpha 10x42s?

  3. C

    Maven B2 9x45's vs a few others (adhoc review)

    Yes, the Passions are the HD and I am still quite pleased with the binocular but the 9x 45 Maven is brighter, sharper with a stellar build quality. The GPO Passion is lighter, a little bit more powerful and handier in the field and focusing is easier. If I could only keep one, it would be the...
  4. C

    Maven B2 9x45's vs a few others (adhoc review)

    I bought my B2 9 x 45 on the strength of Steve's review and have been sufficiently pleased with the binocular that I purchased the 8 x 30 B3 as well. The 8 x 30 B3 is a gem and both are stellar binoculars and flat out bargains. I will confess that I wandered into Cameraland in Bethpage while on...
  5. C

    GPO Passion ED - same specs as Hawke Frontier ED X ?

    The Athlon I examined had noticeable slop in the focus mechanism with just so-so optics.
  6. C

    Optolyth Binoculars.

  7. C

    The Dangerous Alpha aka Lesson Learned.

    I had the identical experience with a new Tract Toric 8 x 42, and my initial reaction was very much the same - this is not acceptable and needs to be fixed. To their credit, Tract immediately offered to repair the binocular and sent a postage paid return label. And then a strange thing happened...
  8. C

    No retro Trinovids after all?

    I suspect that the problem is related to the costs and difficulties inherent in the production of uppendahl prisms rather than waterproofing issues.
  9. C

    Opinion & Value of B&L Rochester Zephyr 7x35s?

    Wow - very impressive. Some years ago, I acquired a privately purchased in 1940 B & L officers I.F. binocular (the purchaser had to supply evidence to B & L of being a commissioned officer to purchase the glass, and the case had a metal stud on the bottom to prevent the possibility of it being...
  10. C

    Opinion & Value of B&L Rochester Zephyr 7x35s?

    I have owned several B & L Rochester binoculars over the years but the apparent condition of yours, plus the box and leather case, is truly remarkable. Be en garde, however, for stiff focusing (dried out lubricant), and fungus growth and dust on prisms. If all is good, you might actually see a...
  11. C

    Zeiss Jena Jenoptem quality testing

    I would agree that CZJ consumer binoculars varied greatly over the years. In my experience, early 1950's Deltrintem and Dekarem models were noticeably better made than the 1980's versions, the Nobilem glasses were at all times exceptional and the trade name dispute with Zeiss Oberkochen made the...
  12. C

    Trinovid 7x35

    The old Leitz Trinovids used uppendahl prisms, thought to be superior but more expensive to make than the Schmidt-Pechan systems later adopted by Leica. The shape of these Trinovids actually looks like they might use uppendahl prisms which, since now phase coated, would make these fantastic glasses.
  13. C

    Why isn't Zen Ray fixing customer service?

    The answer is looking increasingly like "yes". The ZR website now shows all of the pictured binoculars and scopes as "Out of Stock", and no orders can be placed. While the site will supposedly be revamped in 2018, it would not surprise me to learn that the company is now out of business. It's a...
  14. C

    Opticron 8x32 SR.GA issue

    My 8 x 32 SR GA functions identically to what Stephen ascribes to his binocular. For me, the focus on the 8 x 32 SR GA is one of its notable strengths (and it has many) - no slack, no free play and wonderfully direct.
  15. C

    Why isn't Zen Ray fixing customer service?

    Some years ago I purchased a ZR 8 x 43 ED2 which arrived with one eyepiece noticeable taller than the other. I emailed ZR, and Charles immediately (and with numerous apologies for the slipshod QC) replaced the binocular, with the replacement stellar in all respects. It is now very sad to read...
  16. C

    Best of the mid-range 8x32s?

    The Maven B3 8 x 30 is an amazing binocular which punches way above its weight. I own a Maven B2 9 x 45 which is even more amazing but full size binocular so I figured I had nothing to lose by trying a Maven B3 demo. I was so impressed, I kept the demo (which seemed identical to new but sold at...
  17. C

    8x32 terra ed or sightron II blue sky

    I'm not sure I share your enthusiasm for Zeiss Customer Service, Arthur, but you are completely right about "lifetime guarantees", a point well known to the unhappy owners of VEB Carl Zeiss Jena binoculars. Given the cost of the Sightron II, it's hard to go wrong, and I wouldn't let warranty...
  18. C

    Vintage 8x30 7.5° Canon porro

    I owned for a time a Canon 7 x 35 vintage porro, a binocular obviously inspired by the same vintage Bausch & Lomb model and which provided very similar performance characteristics. I would expect the same for the 8 x 30 and 6 x 30 models. None of these vintage porro binoculars come anywhere near...
  19. C

    A New Binocular Brand is Launched

    I think you're right. Perhaps the warranty will be extended after Brexit - LOL.
  20. C

    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

    My thoughts on your issues: the B3 8 x 30 is dramatically better than the ~$200 crowd to warrant the extra money. The Zeiss Conquest HD is an excellent binocular but the B3 will not be a downgrade in optics or quality and will not induce buyers remorse. The real answer is to try the B3...
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    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

    Steve - I agree entirely. As I said in in earlier post, I have tried over the years to like the 6 x 30 format but always came back to the 8 x 30/32 configuration. The 6 x 30 format actually worked well for me as a theater glass but I simply didn't use my examples enough to justify hanging onto...
  22. C

    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

    I know it must sound like I'm on the payroll (which I most emphatically am not) but the more I use my two Maven binoculars (B2 9 x 45 and B3 8 x 30) the more I appreciate the remarkable success of the design and execution of these two instruments. Kamakura is a respected maker and I own or owned...
  23. C

    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

    I'm actually ambivalent about what power is best, and generally agree as to the benefits of lower powers, especially 7x, although I continue to have great experiences with the B2 9 x 45 despite my initial skepticism as to too much power. I owned a Fuji 6 x 30 IF porro some years back and found...
  24. C

    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

    Alan - I have tried over the years to like the 6 x 30 configuration but ended up after several purchases of both roofs and porros disappointed. I will be most interested in your impressions.
  25. C

    Review: Maven B2 9x45: Has the $1,000 game just changed?

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