• 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

    Bubbling

    Hi, I've had a pair of Swaro 8.5x42's for almost three years now; just terrific binocs. Can't really see how they could be better, except for one minor thing--some loosening or bubbling of the otherwise very nice green stuff (hard to call it armor) that covers the tubes. While this of course...
  2. B

    Birding in Edinburgh?

    Hello, I'm going to be in Edinburgh in late April and wondered if anyone could tell me some good local areas for birding. I've never birded the UK at all, so even common birds will be new to me (except for starlings and weaver finches, or as we used to call 'em, English Sparrows). Also, if...
  3. B

    Giant Oberwerks

    Anybody know anything about the huge Oberwerk 25/40x100mm binocs offered by Big Binoculars, among others? I've always been interested in big binocs for a variety of reasons. These are less than 1500 bucks, including a heavy-duty tripod. Thanks, Bill
  4. B

    Swaro 8.5x42's vs. Leica 8x32's (long)

    Hi, I've posted recently regarding my decision to buy a pair of 8x32 Trinovids as a second pair (or third, really, since I've got a pair of Zeiss 8x20's) to back up my Swaro 8.5x42 EL's (and for the wife and kids to use, ha ha). Let me very quickly admit to no particular expertise when it...
  5. B

    Warbler fallout in Michigan

    After a cold and generally rather unrewarding spring, conditions were just right for a nice fallout this weekend. In one small park in Ann Arbor MI, as many as 17 warbler species were seen by some in an hour or less. Even I, blundering around, found 14: Magnolia, Palm, Canada, Yellow...
  6. B

    Leica Trinovids?

    Hi, I presently have a pair of Swaro 8x42 EL's that I just couldn't be happier with. The local camera shop has a pair of Leica 8x32 Trinovids at a good price and I've been looking at them, thinking, gosh how nice to have another pair of great binocs for those times I don't want to lug the...
  7. B

    Case for Swaro 8.5x42's

    Hi, There's been a fair amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth about the crappy soft case supplied by Swaro with their VERY expensive EL 8.5x42's. Prior to a recent trip to Costa Rica, I realized I needed something better. I browsed the local camera shop and found the ideal solution: A...
  8. B

    Steiner big binocs?

    Anybody know anything about the 20x80 or 25x80 Steiner binocs? I've always been interested in some big binoculars for birding (used on a tripod, of course). The only review I've found was a very negative one on Cloudy Nights by a disgruntled purchaser who sent 'em back. I take it seriously...
  9. B

    better head south, birdy

    Saw a Robin yesterday (Dec. 5th) in SE Michigan, after not seeing any for perhaps two months, or at least 6 weeks. A few are said to overwinter here. Any other American birders seen 'em in northern tier states in the last week? Best, Bill
  10. B

    SE Michigan 11/21/04

    A few waterfowl: 50 plus Sandhill Cranes, Common Goldeneye, Nothern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers, and of course Mallards and Canada Geese. Snow geese around, but didn't see them this weekend. Can't seem to find the Tundra Swans this year, of which there have been sporadic...
  11. B

    Fixed power eyepieces?

    Hi, I have a 65mm Diascope with the 15x45 (20x60 on the 85mm) zoom eyepiece. Always looking for ways to blow money on optical equipment, I've been wondering about the 23x (=30x on the 85mm) WA eyepiece. Anyone have any experience with it or with any other fixed eyepiece on the 65mm Zeiss...
  12. B

    American kestrels down?

    Hello, Here in SE Michigan, I've noted significantly fewer kestrels than usual this year, and some other birders I've come across in the field have said the same. Is this just my bad luck, or has anyone else in the upper midwest noticed a decline this year? Bill A
  13. B

    Zeiss 65mm vs. Leica 62mm

    Anybody ever try the Zeiss 65mm Diascope against the Leica 62mm APO with zoom lens? If so, whaddaya think? Bill
  14. B

    zeiss 65mm

    Opinions of the Zeiss 65mm Diascope, anyone? I have a line on one for 800 bucks with eyepiece. Bill
  15. B

    Celestron C5

    Hello, I am direly in need of a new scope, and while I'd like the Swaro 65mmHD, it's not in the cards (i.e. not in the bank account) right now. I'm looking for something pretty good but not ruinously expensive and came upon the Celestron C5 for 600 bucks. Any opinions on this scope? Thanks, Bill
  16. B

    Pentax 65mm

    Hello, Anyone know anything about this scope? I've read the rave review of the 80mm on BVD, and wonder if the 65mm is as good. I'm in the market for a scope, am somewhat reluctant to buy anything as big and heavy as the 80, and just damned reluctant to part with the huge sum required to...
  17. B

    8x20 eye relief?

    Anybody have quick access to comparative eye relief data on the top 8x20's? Nikon is 15mm, I believe Swaro is 13 or 14, but I can't seem to get an answer on the Leica Trinovids or the Zeiss Victory. I've looked through the Leicas and I'm guessing around 14, but I can't find the info on their...
  18. B

    Black terns in SE MI

    Two black terns, one immature, rather rare in SE Michigan, seen skimming the surface of a pond in a brisk W wind. A myriad of cedar waxwings doing much the same; a belted kingfisher; a family of blue wing teal. Bill A
  19. B

    Best compacts?

    Hello, One of these days I'm going to replace my old Minolta compacts with something spiffier. I'm so very, very happy with my Swaro 8.5x42 EL's that I'm looking (on the net, since no one around here carries them) at the 8x20's from the same company. Anybody have any experience with them? How...
  20. B

    Hello from Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Hello from Michigan. What a fine site! I've been birding desultorily for many years here and in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to many interesting discoveries and discussions on this outstanding forum. Bill
  21. B

    EL vs SLC

    Hello-- I'm gonna buy a pair of Swarovski 10x50 SLC's or 10x42 EL's. Anyone want to comment on the relative merits? I don't mind weight and am attracted to the greater brightness of the 50mm objectives. Any real difference in the optics? Thanks, Bill A
Back
Top