A2GG
Beth
Hi Gunnar,
I just bought an FL 8x32 as well and received it yesterday.
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I'll give it more time. Overall, I'm very pleased with the FL and glad I grabbed one before their impending extinction.
Surprisingly, I'm able to see the full FOV with my glasses. The ER specs state 15.5mm or 16mm (depending on the website) which is usually a bit too short for me with other bins. I was unable to see the full FOV with the Euro HD 8x32 which has the same listed ER (15.5mm).
Gilmore Girl , I tried the FL 8x32 about 2 years ago and was also quite impressed and that experience left me wanting one. Now with my recent purchase of a pair of Cabelas Euro Instinct 8x32 HD binoculars that arrived with no issues what so ever ...... I can see the full field of view with my glasses, the view is exceptionally sharp/crisp to my eyes and the focus wheel tension/speed is perfect for me. When I tried the FL 8x32 I had the same experienced that I had with the Cabelas Euro but with the FL 8x32 feeling to be more robust in construction. Having said this, I now no longer feel the desire to purchase the FL 8x32. Going from memory the view optically was so similar. With the cost of the FL 8x32 now being over a $1,000 more than what I paid for the Cabelas Euro 8x32 on sale I am glad I waited. If your experience had been the same as I had with the Cabelas Euro 8x32 HD. Arriving with no issues. With the eye relief/ tension focus being to your liking. Would you have been so quick to have purchased the FL 8x32 ?
Hi Gwen,
If I was able to see the whole FOV with the Euro I may have kept it, but it's hard to say. At around the same time I bought the Viper HD 6x32. I decided I liked the comfortable view of the 6x32 better and got rid of the Meopta. Initially, I thought ok only a small part of the view is cut off in the Euro and told myself it's no biggie. But, it did begin to bother me after awhile since I paid several hundred dollars for it new (back then).
I think the current discounted price for the Euro HD is incredible and I can't blame you at all for sticking with it when it works so well for you.
I agree the FL is better built and I do like the FL's over-sized focus wheel and focus action better than the Euro HD (which was a bit stiff as well), but I remember liking the very simple and easy to use diopter on the Euro.
I don't remember too much about the Euro optics/view. I was more impressed with the excellent handling/ergonomics which fit like a glove. I think the FL handling/fit for me is fine, but it could be improved with some thumb indents like on the Euro.
I don't remember being as impressed with the optics of the Euro (vs FL). I remember thinking gee this Meopta bin is very nice and the view very nice too, but with the FL I had a stronger reaction and it generally made a bigger impression. Since I don't have these two to compare directly I can only go by my recollection of my initial thoughts and general feelings with each separately.
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