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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Comparison of Leopold/Leica/Zeiss? (1 Viewer)

In this thread Dennis asked "What is an alpha binocular?"

I replied:
MY DEFINITION would be "the flagship models of the top brand optics manufactures with patented technologies AND a worldwide distribution."

And Dennis responded, "I agree with that."

Clearly the Kowa Genesis represents the Kowa flagship model, ergo it must be an alpha by MY DEFINITION.

BR is populated by known Zeiss, Leica, Swaro and Opticron reps. But as far as I know, the Japanese OEMs are not represented. Certainly not by me! But I agree one should read reviews from sites like Birdwatching.com with skepticism since they are also in the biz of selling birding optics. What real business person wouldn't push their highest margin products?

cheers,
Rick
 
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RJM said:
In this thread Dennis asked "What is an alpha binocular?"

I replied:
MY DEFINITION would be "the flagship models of the top brand optics manufactures with patented technologies AND a worldwide distribution."

And Dennis responded, "I agree with that."

Clearly the Kowa Genesis represents the Kowa flagship model, ergo it must be an alpha by MY DEFINITION.


"BR is populated by known Zeiss, Leica, Swaro and Opticron reps. But as far as I know, the Japanese OEMs are not represented. Certainly not by me! But I agree one should read reviews from sites like Birdwatching.com with skepticism since they are also in the biz of selling birding optics. What real business person wouldn't push their highest margin products?

cheers,
Rick
Click to expand...

MY DEFINITION would be "the flagship models of the top brand optics manufactures with patented technologies AND a worldwide distribution."

And Dennis responded, "I agree with that."

I do agree with that but I don't consider Kowa a top brand optics manufacturer hence not an alpha.

Dennis
 
RJM said:
In this thread Dennis asked "What is an alpha binocular?"

I replied:
MY DEFINITION would be "the flagship models of the top brand optics manufactures with patented technologies AND a worldwide distribution."

And Dennis responded, "I agree with that."

Clearly the Kowa Genesis represents the Kowa flagship model, ergo it must be an alpha by MY DEFINITION.

BR is populated by known Zeiss, Leica, Swaro and Opticron reps. But as far as I know, the Japanese OEMs are not represented. Certainly not by me! But I agree one should read reviews from sites like Birdwatching.com with skepticism since they are also in the biz of selling birding optics. What real business person wouldn't push their highest margin products?

cheers,
Rick
Click to expand...

I pretty much agree with Birdwatching.coms reviews based on actual experience so I think in my mind they are pretty valid.

Dennis
 
[email protected] said:
MY DEFINITION would be "the flagship models of the top brand optics manufactures with patented technologies AND a worldwide distribution."

And Dennis responded, "I agree with that."

I do agree with that but I don't consider Kowa a top brand optics manufacturer hence not an alpha.

Dennis
Click to expand...

So you say Kowa, the company that basically invented the modern fieldscope and currently manufacturing the world's best fieldscope according to many reviews, is somehow incapable of making a worldclass binocular? Well I don't think so.

Rick
 
FrankD said:
I am curious. Which two specific models are you comparing here when you make this statement?
Click to expand...

$300 was the approximate difference 3 years ago in Germany between Zeiss FL and higher end of second-class bin model when you shopped carefully.

Tip - for bins, there is enormous variation in price of one model, and I suggest looking for small specialist shops (nowadays everything has a website and sends by post with insurance), rather than often suspicious all-internet companies.

Tip2 - birdforum contains lots of info on this topic already.
 
RJM said:
So you say Kowa, the company that basically invented the modern fieldscope and currently manufacturing the world's best fieldscope according to many reviews, is somehow incapable of making a worldclass binocular? Well I don't think so.

Rick
Click to expand...

They are not Alpha in my mind in binoculars. Alpha in my mind are Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica. The big three. Nikon would be a close second tier alpha. Leopold, Kowa ,Minot, Opticron, Bushnell, Eagle Optics,etc. are second tier to me. They are not on the same level as far as build quality or optics. Most reviews generally reflect that with the big three placing in the top rungs and the second tier binoculars following. Do you have connections with Kowa?

Dennis
 
jurek said:
...do you want to spend $300 or so extra and get the top possible bins for a lifetime, or $300 less and get 2nd class bins?
Click to expand...

I would be interested in locating a place to buy Zeiss/Leica/Swarovski "alpha" glass for for under $1300 USD new , w/warranty, in the U.S. Will accept PM on this.....:t:
 
[email protected] said:
They are not Alpha in my mind in binoculars. Alpha in my mind are Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica. The big three. Nikon would be a close second tier alpha. Leopold, Kowa ,Minot, Opticron, Bushnell, Eagle Optics,etc. are second tier to me. They are not on the same level as far as build quality or optics. Most reviews generally reflect that with the big three placing in the top rungs and the second tier binoculars following. Do you have connections with Kowa?

Dennis
Click to expand...

The Nikon LXL and EDG can compete all day long with anything Zeiss/Leica/Swaro makes. The SE's view may be better. Nikon does have alpha stuff.
 
jgraider said:
The Nikon LXL and EDG can compete all day long with anything Zeiss/Leica/Swaro makes. The SE's view may be better. Nikon does have alpha stuff.
Click to expand...

The Nikon LXL is not even close to the Zeiss FL because I had both. In fact the Zen Ray ED's are way better than the LXL's. I have not had the EDG but in every review the Zeiss FL still comes out on top. The SE is the only binocular that Nikon makes that compares with the FL in my opinion. I have had almost every alpha and I would say the Zeiss FL 8x32 is the best roof and the Nikon SE 8x32 is the best porro. That's my opinion.

Dennis
 
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jaymoynihan said:
I would be interested in locating a place to buy Zeiss/Leica/Swarovski "alpha" glass for for under $1300 USD new , w/warranty, in the U.S. Will accept PM on this.....:t:
Click to expand...

I was kind of joking... re the $300 figure in the quote i had in the orginal post. I added $300 to the "mid-range" bino price, and came up with $1300o:D
 
CLRobles said:
Not every review I've read.... Also the EDG has had very favorable reviews from a couple of the forum members here....
Click to expand...

Show me a review here or on the internet where the Nikon EDG tops the Zeiss FL. I have not read anybody saying the EDG was overall a better binocular than the Zeiss.

Dennis
 
[email protected] said:
Show me a review here or on the internet where the Nikon EDG tops the Zeiss FL. I have not read anybody saying the EDG was overall a better binocular than the Zeiss.

Dennis
Click to expand...

Fer Pete's sake! The Zeiss has been around for years. The EDG's are almost as mysterious as the seldom, if ever, seen neu Swarovski 8.5 x 42 which is regarded, even now, by some, as the "best ever!"

Isn't there anything better to fight about?

It's migration season. Go watch a bird!;)
Bob
 
ceasar said:
Fer Pete's sake! The Zeiss has been around for years. The EDG's are almost as mysterious as the seldom, if ever, seen neu Swarovski 8.5 x 42 which is regarded, even now, by some, as the "best ever!"

Isn't there anything better to fight about?

It's migration season. Go watch a bird!;)
Bob
Click to expand...

:t::t::t::t::t:
 
ceasar said:
Fer Pete's sake! The Zeiss has been around for years. The EDG's are almost as mysterious as the seldom, if ever, seen neu Swarovski 8.5 x 42 which is regarded, even now, by some, as the "best ever!"

Isn't there anything better to fight about?

It's migration season. Go watch a bird!;)

Bob
Click to expand...

I am in a few months I am going to Costa Rica to see A Scarlet Toucan. I just don't like it when say this binocular is better than that one with nothing to support the argument. Show me some facts and maybe I will check an EDG out.

Dennis
 
[email protected] said:
I am in a few months I am going to Costa Rica to see A Scarlet Toucan. I just don't like it when say this binocular is better than that one with nothing to support the argument. Show me some facts and maybe I will check an EDG out.

Dennis
Click to expand...

By then maybe the "legendary" new Swaro 8.5 x 42 will be out. Take one of those with you and give us a report on it when you get back!

Have a great trip!

Bob
 
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