Hello!
[...]
Trinovids and Zeiss Conquests are not for divers!
Full stop.
Tom
Not to break up your guy's party, but let me say: this purchase is only going to be one of the newer/better models; and the trinovid and conquest don't fit the bill. Again, the Ultravid, which I would love, and salivate over having the Leica name, is not in contention, unfortunately, due to the premium, doesn't seem realistic. I can find the Zeiss for well under $400, and can't find the ultravid for less than...$650? Maybe? I really don't know. No place that discounts heavily seems to have them. I could possibly squeeze out $450 for an ultravid, as I have heard they are the best compacts ever. Aside from that pipe dream, I am leaning towards either the Victory or the LXL. The LXL I will have to see and hold, to see how large it actually is... looks rather large, and if the Zeiss offers a significant portability advantage, I might just sacrifice image for portability.
We are almost in agreement. I am leaning toward the one binocular solution for most use. It will be something like a 9x36 with wide field.[...]
Tero, I can definitely see the logic behind this. Maybe when I have a job with a car that is nearby, or my behind is parked in one place most of the time, I could follow this outlook, but I'm highly mobile- and unpredictable adventures abound. Thus, I must fracture the field with multiple bins.
I have no argument with you that the Victory is superior in almost every way to the Conquest. (If memory serves, I do believe the Conquest can be folded down into a slightly more compact unit.)
In my case however, it may come down to a matter of basic economics. I simply can't spend more than I have and the Conquest is less expensive and therefore more attainable.
Of course, if I do buy it, I'll sit and ponder what I might have given up by not being just a bit more patient...
Hehe... same feeling here, except it's about the victory vs. the ultravid... sigh, compromises do suck, don't they?
If I were buying today, the Ultravids have a lot of appeal, but Swaros are still not out of the running with updated Swarobright prism coatings. Nikons LX also deserve a look.
Buy for the long term. Enjoy every minute of ownership.
Ed
Really? All the data I've seen (possibly without this update on the swaro) always gave the Swaro high marks for ergonomics, but lost most every contest to other compacts. If there is something I don't know, then stop me from being ignorant!!
GenEv;
Because of some of the comments above I now realize that my use of compacts is not as unique as I thought.
Since the mid-late 60’s, if I had my wallet with me, I also had a compact bino in my pocket, mostly 8x20 but sometimes 6x20 or 7x20. These days if I know I am going to be out most of the day I carry the Ultravid and if I do not expect to be out at all I will still carry an old 8x20 Zeiss sometimes because they are even smaller. I use compacts far more than the larger bins. I do use larger bins on weekends or at times when I know I am going to be using more than usual, but even then, I still have compacts in my pocket.
If I had limited funds for binos, most of it would be allocated to the compacts because of the time I use them and the need for smaller optics to be better.
I am glad to see that the use of compacts is more wide spread than I had thought from most posts here.
I would heed the advice of others above and not compromise on your perceived needs and requirements.
Have a good day.
Ron
Yeah, I've found this phenomenon with a lot of products- everyone touts the advantages of larger items, but secretly, or perhaps, a silent majority, quietly enjoy their "compromise" pieces. Big is better, with most everything. Sometimes, however, big just won't work.
GeneralEverything,
Whatever you do, don't compromise on your logic. It is really spot on. Until recently I have carried a pocket binocular (an 8x25 Pentax DCF MC II) with me at all times and it has often proved invaluable at allowing me to truly observe, rather than just look at, whatever had caught my interest. I recently dropped my compact and knocked it severely out of collimation so; I am without until it is either fixed or replaced. I definitely feel naked without it.
[...]
Stick with the 8x20 format and buy the best you can. Even my 8x25 sometimes proved just a tiny bit too big for total comfort. For this reason (and for my desire to better the optical performance of the Pentax) I am leaning toward replacing (rather than fixing) my compact.
Here's my short list:
8x20 Nikon Premier LXL
8x20 Zeiss Victory
8x20 Zeiss Conquest
Good short list. Of course, the field is pretty small when it comes to these things, so saying I've looked at all your choices really means nothing. My vote would be for the LXL, if you were able to carry the 8x25, if uncomfortably. The LXL, from pictures I've seen, looks like I'll need to see it in person before I pass judgment on if it is small enough for me. But aside from size, it is essentially the 2nd best (1st in some ways), with only the $$$ Leica Ultravid beating it.
General
Out of curiosity sake, what do you have on your person in day to day "take it everywhere with me" use? For example just you and your shirt and pants pockets, a small backpack, or perhaps a fanny pack or just what. As you are finding out optics choices are more about balancing a set of strong points against a set of weak points and living with the compromise.
[...]
If you have a pack/fannypack, then judge the size of the spot you will carry the glass in and look for something like the Leupold 6x32 Katmi. Or something else compatible with the size.
My Every Day Carry is, generally, shirt and pants, but usually have a small messenger bag. Problem is, the bag won't be devoted to optics exclusively. It's gotta carry other adventure necessities: GPS, mini first-aid kit, p-cord, camera, multi-tool, flashlight, cell phone, change, pen, pencil, notebook (small), lighter/survival firestarter (I don't smoke), handkerchief, maps of the area, extra batteries, and, ahem, "protection" (of the little foil packet kind). That's what I can remember right now, there might be a little more. On my person, a pocket knife, handkerchief, flashlight (different from earlier one)- sans bag- add the phone and protection.
Binoculars are just another tool I find useful. I explore them and the associated community, and do enjoy such things. However, I like doing a lot of different things, and though I may involve myself with a community, I do not stay wedded to one hobby. Hence my handle, General Everything: I like everything with expensive toys in general, I like to have command of everything, etc. I mostly like to buy once and then never again. I check in on gear every so often, see if the new stuff is worth the money. But I like to have premium gear. It makes me feel I am less vulnerable to technological improvements, and that I actually have taste (yeah, I know, I'm lying to myself o
).
Cheers,
GenEv
