Swarovski Habicht 8x30W review - vs. Nikon SE and Swaro SV (1 Viewer)

Tobias Mennle · Mar 8, 2014

At the moment these are my favourite binoculars ever, despite some flaws (most of which can be dealt with by some homemade modifications). I have used them 9 months side by side with the Nikon SE and the Swaro 8x32 SV and their image is simply the most beautiful one, even in close ups.

My review here:

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30w/swarohabicht8x30w.html

For a real appreciation of the build quality, you also might want to check this older review about a Habicht from 1961 - with a new image gallery 1961 vs 2009 added.

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30/habicht8x301961.html

proudpapa56 · Mar 8, 2014

While telling folks that the EL SV 8x32 is my favorite, and I'm sticking to that, I do find myself going back to the Habicht 8x30 quite a bit. The 3D view on top of the clarity is mighty impressive.
Neither diopter adjustment shifts by itself on my 8x30 or 7x42.

denco@comcast.n · Mar 8, 2014

Tobias Mennle said:
At the moment these are my favourite binoculars ever, despite some flaws (most of which can be dealt with by some homemade modifications). I have used them 9 months side by side with the Nikon SE and the Swaro 8x32 SV and their image is simply the most beautiful one, even in close ups.

My review here:

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30w/swarohabicht8x30w.html

For a real appreciation of the build quality, you also might want to check this older review about a Habicht from 1961 - with a new image gallery 1961 vs 2009 added.

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30/habicht8x301961.html

I found the Habicht 8x30 very user unfriendly for me. The focus is WAY too tight and the eyecups are too short for the ER. The eyecups are too small and they are hard. Every time I used it I had grease spots on the eyepieces. The FOV is small also compared to the SV and the edges are not sharp like the SV. I would never recommend it as a birding binocular. BUT I will agree when you get through all the fussiness it DOES have great optics on-axis. But I am like Proud Papa and I will take the SV any day over the Habicht for usability.

plyscope · Mar 9, 2014

Thanks for the review and interesting tips to improve performance. The Habicht 8x30 is one of my favourite binoculars along with the Nikon 8x30 EII.

Andy J

denco@comcast.n · Mar 9, 2014

Tobias Mennle said:
At the moment these are my favourite binoculars ever, despite some flaws (most of which can be dealt with by some homemade modifications). I have used them 9 months side by side with the Nikon SE and the Swaro 8x32 SV and their image is simply the most beautiful one, even in close ups.

My review here:

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30w/swarohabicht8x30w.html

For a real appreciation of the build quality, you also might want to check this older review about a Habicht from 1961 - with a new image gallery 1961 vs 2009 added.

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/swarohabicht8x30/habicht8x301961.html

Nice review on the Habicht 8x30 and I agree with everything you said. When you sent your Habicht into Swarovski to get the focus loosened how much looser is it now. Is it comparable to the SE focus now? You did a lot of modifications to get your Habicht's usable for birding but I understand because the optics are so good but the SV isn't too shabby out of the box and you don't have to do all those things.

MPeoples · Mar 9, 2014

Sad, I never got to view with these binoculars.

Mike

Swarovski Habicht 8x30W review - vs. Nikon SE and Swaro SV (1 Viewer)

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Tobias Mennle

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proudpapa56

Where'd you go, stay put!

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plyscope

Andy J.

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MPeoples

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