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Minox BD 15x58, or Swarovski SLC 15x56? (1 Viewer)

Sancho

Well-known member
Europe
Just wondering if anyone has had use of both, and what opinions might be. The Minox is currently available from Cameraland NY at about 600 USD (450 euro) inc. postage to here (although no idea what surcharge Irish Customs would slap on it). The SLC is retailing from the UK at about 1400 sterling (about 1600 euro). Perhaps the price difference should be telling me something?
 
24hourcampfire.com is a good source for info.

See the Big Eyes (hunters slang) article on the opening page (including a review of the Minox).

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/big_eyes.html
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3247332/1

See also some other threads here

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=49210
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=547210&postcount=65
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=96264

And relevant threads (which you've already read!)

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1741430
 
Here's a review from another forum. They rated the Minox as the best deal for the money. The review was written before the Minox 13x56 was introduced. The author later rated the 13x56 as better than the 15x58. I own both the Minox 13x56 and 15x58 and I would definitely rate the 13x56 as better for birding. They are much smaller and lighter and have a larger AFOV. I would rate them as near alpha quality optically. CamerlandNY has a demo pair for $740.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/

If the link doesn't work, search for "big eyes binoculars" in google and you should find it.

Hope this helps,
Mark
 
Sancho,

Zeiss are due to release 12x and 15x versions of the 56mm Victory FLs in the coming weeks. I recall that you were very impressed by the 10x56 FLs and expect the new FLs would better the 15x56 SLCs, which also have rather limited eye relief.
The 15x60 Docter Nobilems are by all accounts very good and are priced around €850.

John
 
Sancho,

Zeiss are due to release 12x and 15x versions of the 56mm Victory FLs in the coming weeks. I recall that you were very impressed by the 10x56 FLs and expect the new FLs would better the 15x56 SLCs, which also have rather limited eye relief.
The 15x60 Docter Nobilems are by all accounts very good and are priced around €850.

John

Thanks John! Time to start saving again! (Mind you, I might be saving for some time....)
 
Sancho,
While without any knowledge of the new Zeiss FL offering, I did own a Docter Nobilem 15x60. I can testify that it is optically superb, razor sharp and easy seeing, but have to add that it was too heavy for me to comfortably use.
Admittedly, this was before harnesses entered the equation for me, so you might have a better experience using them. At around 40 oz, it will never be svelte, but do note it comes with a tripod fitting, so for a fixed site it would probably be a knockout performer.
 
Thanks etudiant. There seem to be some 15x binos out there that are worth a look, but none seem popular with birders, even for seawatching. There must be a reason!;) I noticed a few Vortex 15x models too.
 
Sancho,
!2x binoculars are excellent birding tools.
Docter's 12x50BGA Nobilem served wonderfully for years as my main birding glass, until it was sold to make room for a Canon 10x42ISL. I'd be even happier with a Canon 12x50ISL, if they made such. Imo, the bulk and somewhat narrower field of a 12x is more than offset by the better view of the bird produced. But stabilization trumps magnification, hence the Canon.
Separately, note the Docter 15x60 weight is 1550 grams, about 54 ounces, not the "around 40" I'd mentioned.
 
Thanks everyone. I did a trade with Mark and ended up with the Minox 15x58. I´ve posted my first impressions on the Minox thread - they are truly wonderful "big-eyes". I´d love to see a pair of Swaro SLC 15x56, but that won´t happen for some time.
 
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