After three weeks of use, I have decided the 7x42 FL is the cat's meow. It's a testament to BF Binocular denizens that my expectations were fully realized - no unpleasant surprises. The quality of some reports here are better than handling the item in person, I swear!
My report follows, but be aware that my experience with bins and birds is approximately zero (my optical knowledge is limited to photography). I don't own the benchmark Nikon SE for A/B comparison, so the 8x20 Victory Compact had to serve.
Reason for the purchase included getting a wider FOV, more eye relief, more light gathering, and (I confess) a new toy. Main concerns were weight, focus action, and longitudinal CA. Contenders were Swaro EL, Leica Ultravid BL, Nikon LXL, and Zeiss FL, all in the 40mm class with 7 or 8 power. Decision was based on a balance of the factors. Rather than handle models in the store, I just downloaded the spec sheets, gleaned insights from users on BF, and kept using my 8x20. After a year, I plunked down the plastic.
My brief (virtual) assessments. ELs were expensive, lower contrast, had finger grooves, but offered a relaxed view and best service. Ultravid BL were lightest and most sexy, but had trouble off-axis, focus ailments, black spots, and shaky corporate future. LXL had best focus mechanism, but major LCA and worst USA service. FL had brightest view, no LCA, but small sweet-spot.
My usage is a mix of short walks, viewing out the window, evening and night lighting, and some critical testing on tripod.
Okay, the armor smells vaguely of rubber, but nothing serious! Handling with that rubber is secure and comfortable such that I haven't attached the straps (am just using the pouch with its strap). Size, weight and balance are fine, although a big step up from the 8x20. Focus wheel is large, rubber coated, and quite smooth. While free of backlash or play, the focus position lies in a zone with lower friction: perhaps a manufacturing flaw, but I decided to classify it as a feature because I can find critical focus without drifting. I have no complaints about the diopter mechanism.
Appearance is business-like, but lacking in comparison to the gorgeous Ultravid BL. At least Zeiss dumped the "Batman" style of the old Victory! Build is of the finest plastic, with a purported magnesium superstructure: under a layer of rubber armor, all-metal construction seems irrelevant. Eye cups are twist-lock with three detent positions, but park firmly at any position.
Optics are spectacular, but not perfect. The light-gathering is simply awesome, both in comparison to 8x20 and to the unaided eye: it is a bone fide night-vision device. LCA and TCA are amazingly under control in all circumstances: of course, correct eye position and IPD setting is required. Black-out occurs if eye cups are incorrectly set (no eye-wear here). The sweetspot is very sweet, but limited to the central zone: beyond that, there is coma but no TCA. I detect no field curvature. Lack of linearity, in the form of barrel distortion, is quite severe: especially in urban settings with the long lines of a building, you many encounter some queasy moments, although nature scenes are fine.
At some point, I might attempt to quantify two aspects of this bin versus the 8x20. First is off-axis decay of resolution, as conducted by Henry Link in the past. Second is the light-gathering aspect. In my suburban setting, the nocturnal critters can be observed all night with the 7x42 FL, while the 8x20 is completely worthless. This is a neat benefit of the not insignificant price. For daytime use, I continue to enjoy the compacts because of the weight.
You may recall from Homer that birds on the wing were interpreted as omens. The highlight of my first walkaround with 7x42 FL was a first sighting of the local peregrine falcon, one of a few in Chicagoland. I call that a good omen for the FL!
My report follows, but be aware that my experience with bins and birds is approximately zero (my optical knowledge is limited to photography). I don't own the benchmark Nikon SE for A/B comparison, so the 8x20 Victory Compact had to serve.
Reason for the purchase included getting a wider FOV, more eye relief, more light gathering, and (I confess) a new toy. Main concerns were weight, focus action, and longitudinal CA. Contenders were Swaro EL, Leica Ultravid BL, Nikon LXL, and Zeiss FL, all in the 40mm class with 7 or 8 power. Decision was based on a balance of the factors. Rather than handle models in the store, I just downloaded the spec sheets, gleaned insights from users on BF, and kept using my 8x20. After a year, I plunked down the plastic.
My brief (virtual) assessments. ELs were expensive, lower contrast, had finger grooves, but offered a relaxed view and best service. Ultravid BL were lightest and most sexy, but had trouble off-axis, focus ailments, black spots, and shaky corporate future. LXL had best focus mechanism, but major LCA and worst USA service. FL had brightest view, no LCA, but small sweet-spot.
My usage is a mix of short walks, viewing out the window, evening and night lighting, and some critical testing on tripod.
Okay, the armor smells vaguely of rubber, but nothing serious! Handling with that rubber is secure and comfortable such that I haven't attached the straps (am just using the pouch with its strap). Size, weight and balance are fine, although a big step up from the 8x20. Focus wheel is large, rubber coated, and quite smooth. While free of backlash or play, the focus position lies in a zone with lower friction: perhaps a manufacturing flaw, but I decided to classify it as a feature because I can find critical focus without drifting. I have no complaints about the diopter mechanism.
Appearance is business-like, but lacking in comparison to the gorgeous Ultravid BL. At least Zeiss dumped the "Batman" style of the old Victory! Build is of the finest plastic, with a purported magnesium superstructure: under a layer of rubber armor, all-metal construction seems irrelevant. Eye cups are twist-lock with three detent positions, but park firmly at any position.
Optics are spectacular, but not perfect. The light-gathering is simply awesome, both in comparison to 8x20 and to the unaided eye: it is a bone fide night-vision device. LCA and TCA are amazingly under control in all circumstances: of course, correct eye position and IPD setting is required. Black-out occurs if eye cups are incorrectly set (no eye-wear here). The sweetspot is very sweet, but limited to the central zone: beyond that, there is coma but no TCA. I detect no field curvature. Lack of linearity, in the form of barrel distortion, is quite severe: especially in urban settings with the long lines of a building, you many encounter some queasy moments, although nature scenes are fine.
At some point, I might attempt to quantify two aspects of this bin versus the 8x20. First is off-axis decay of resolution, as conducted by Henry Link in the past. Second is the light-gathering aspect. In my suburban setting, the nocturnal critters can be observed all night with the 7x42 FL, while the 8x20 is completely worthless. This is a neat benefit of the not insignificant price. For daytime use, I continue to enjoy the compacts because of the weight.
You may recall from Homer that birds on the wing were interpreted as omens. The highlight of my first walkaround with 7x42 FL was a first sighting of the local peregrine falcon, one of a few in Chicagoland. I call that a good omen for the FL!
