[Rico]

Originally Posted by henry link

It has been an interesting weekend. Here are my results from comparing the new Zeiss 8X42 FL to the Nikon 8X32 SE and the Swarovski 8.5X42 EL....

Henry, thanks for the tremendously helpful report. Besides the individual matter of ergonomics, the optical tradeoffs in the top tier means we must still make our own buying decisions - the FL hasn't delivered the knock-out punch!

USA availability permitting, I'm getting the 7x or 8x FL this month!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by michaelboustead

I should be receiving Zeiss 7x42FL Tuesday. Would anyone be interested in comments? ...

Yes, please give your impressions! I'm in the market for this model over the 8x.

[Steve O4B]

Originally Posted by gorank

anyone tried the "scorecard" for binos at optics4birding.com ??
http://www.optics4birding.com/scorecard.aspx,
I compared swarovski EL8,5x42 with Zeiss FL8x42 and I tried several different prefs but the swarros ALWAYS came out as the winners...=)
I suspect some error/bias in the calculation unit...??

Well, I wish one or more of you would have emailed us instead of speculating here.

It turns out that there were a few more bugs in our scorecard programming that testing turned up after we fixed the weatherproofing problem. We've fixed them all, as far as we can tell.

If you ever see a 0 as a result in the scorecard it means the data for that field is missing or unavailable. To compare your selections without that field, set its preference factor to 0 to include only the other specs.

BTW, we scour catalogs and manufacturer's web sites, and sometimes still can't find all the relevant data. If you ever run into something we're missing, or find any other errors, we'd appreciate hearing about it. Just send an email to support @ optics4birding.com.

[zurtfox]

On checking WareHouseExpress this morning I found that they are advertising the FLs for sale, with prices. Yes, yes, yes! Rang them at 9:01am to order a pair of 7x42s only to be told they don't yet have any in stock.

Grr**mmm**agh! I have spent the whole morning sulking!

Chris

[william j clive]

I have spent the whole morning sulking! Chris[/quote]


Chris, when you get over your sulk, and obtain the 7x42, please let us know what you think of their performance.

Cheers

Clive

[Steve]

Should of gone to birdforum.

[michaelboustead]

[quote=tlb]Michael (Miie?)

I would definitely be interested in your comments. I have a pair that should be delivered early next week but because of my travel schedule, I won't see them for two weeks or so.

Thanks,

Tony[/QUOTE

I received my 7x42fl yesterday and I took them out birding early this morning for about 11/2 hours. I birded a heavily wooded area and a bright powerline cut.

My observations are as follows (in no logical order):

1. The binoculars are very birght and contrast is excellent. Definitely better than my 8x32 Leica's. Good forest bino's.

2. Apparent sharpness at the center of the field is excellent. Apparent sharpness is superior to my 8x32 Leicas even with the extra magnification of the 8x32. This may be a factor of the better brightness and contrast. I would echo Henry Link's(?) comment that the edge sharpness is not as good. Very usable for finding a bird but you would want to center the bird in the field of view. The area of greatest sharpness is as large as my area of "concentration" when I look through the bino's so no real problem here. I am in my 50's so my powers of concentration are limited. If I was going to use the bino's for astronomy, I would definitely try them out first-edge sharpness may be an issue here.

3. CA seems to be a bigger issue to some people than me. Frankly, I don't see (look) for it. I tend to bird in forested areas often where I suspect CA is lost in the background. I looked at an Eastern Kingbird perched on a powerline and could detect no color fringe. I suspect CA is very well controlled.

4. The binoculars balance well for me and are very easy to hold steady even for extended periods. This is very important to me because I often see a bird 's movement first and then must observe the spot where I think it is for a while before it shows itself. I have had both shoulders operated on and this is not easy for me. Focus is smooth and quick.

In summary, an excellent birding tool-very easy to look through.

[John Cantelo]

I suspect that my misgivings about the handling of the 10x40s stems from my being used to handling relatively compact 8x32 porros rather than any intrinsic problem. Given that nobody else seems to have a problem I'm sure I could get to them. I remain, however, a little worried that they don't have the solid buils of the Leicas. I note that the Cley Spy website lists the new Zeiss bins for £1010 - a wee bit steep even if they are as good as people say! John

[Andy Bright]

Originally Posted by John Cantelo

I note that the Cley Spy website lists the new Zeiss bins for £1010 - a wee bit steep even if they are as good as people say! John

May i refer you to Steve's post and a birdforum post a bit earlier than that?

[henry link]

Here's a little more information on the new Zeiss 8X42 FL compared to the Swaro 8.5X42 EL and the Nikon 8X32 SE. Today I measured eye relief (binoculars resting on a ruler, pointing out a window toward a bright sky. a white card moved back and forth behind the eyepiece until a sharp image of the exit pupil forms on the card).

Zeiss: Spec 16mm, Measured 16mm from fully shortened eyecup rim, 19mm from glass
Eyecup range of adjustment from glass, 3mm-15mm

Swaro: Spec 18mm, Measured 15mm from fully shortened eyecup rim, 18mm from glass.
Eyecup range of adjustment from glass, 3mm-12mm

Nikon: Spec 17.4mm, Measured 18mm from fully rolled down eyecup rim, 21mm from glass.
Eyecup adjustment from glass, 3mm or 14mm

Zeiss and Nikon appear to specify their eye relief from the eye cup and Swarovski from the glass. The specs make it look like the Swaro eye relief is a little longer than the Zeiss when actually it is a little shorter. I can see why Arthur and other eyeglass wearers have a black out problem with the very long eye relief of the Nikon. Too bad it doesn't have twist down eyecups.

[Curtis Croulet]

So this explains why the eye relief of the Swaro is insufficient for me, even though the claimed 18mm should be ample. FWIW, Leica Ultravid 8x42 claims 16mm, and for me its eye relief is adequate.

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by henry link

\



Zeiss and Nikon appear to specify their eye relief from the eye cup and Swarovski from the glass. The specs make it look like the Swaro eye relief is a little longer than the Zeiss when actually it is a little shorter. I can see why Arthur and other eyeglass wearers have a black out problem with the very long eye relief of the Nikon. Too bad it doesn't have twist down eyecups.

Henry,

I think that Swarovski is, in the words of Jonathan Swift, "a wicked cheat." Obviously, most of us are interested in the practical or usable eye relief, not the optical value. It would seem that Nikon has a surplus of eye relief, but maybe if I wear specs and sunshades combined, I will have less of a problem with the SE.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[Pileatus]

Originally Posted by henry link

Here's a little more information on the new Zeiss 8X42 FL compared to the Swaro 8.5X42 EL and the Nikon 8X32 SE. Today I measured eye relief (binoculars resting on a ruler, pointing out a window toward a bright sky. a white card moved back and forth behind the eyepiece until a sharp image of the exit pupil forms on the card).

Zeiss: Spec 16mm, Measured 16mm from fully shortened eyecup rim, 19mm from glass
Eyecup range of adjustment from glass, 3mm-15mm

Swaro: Spec 18mm, Measured 15mm from fully shortened eyecup rim, 18mm from glass.
Eyecup range of adjustment from glass, 3mm-12mm

Nikon: Spec 17.4mm, Measured 18mm from fully rolled down eyecup rim, 21mm from glass.
Eyecup adjustment from glass, 3mm or 14mm

Zeiss and Nikon appear to specify their eye relief from the eye cup and Swarovski from the glass. The specs make it look like the Swaro eye relief is a little longer than the Zeiss when actually it is a little shorter. I can see why Arthur and other eyeglass wearers have a black out problem with the very long eye relief of the Nikon. Too bad it doesn't have twist down eyecups.

Henry,

Sometime ago I did the same thing and verified the SE did indeed have 17mm ER from the edge of the eye cup.

So, do you like the view through the FL better than your venerable SE?

John

[mlamb]

Just wanted to say know that I just ordered the 8X42s from Eagle Optics and should have them in my hands by Saturday. I was told that the first shipment has been sold and will be out the door to customers tomorrow. When I asked what they thought of them he stated that the review by Henry Link was pretty accurate.

Thanks to all of you for providing such an informative forum.

-Mike

PS This is my first post.

[Curtis Croulet]

I'm on EO's pre-order list. Looks like I'll have to wait for the next batch. mlamb, if you don't mind my asking, what price did they settle on for the 8x42?

[Chas4045]

Originally Posted by Curtis Croulet

I'm on EO's pre-order list. Looks like I'll have to wait for the next batch. mlamb, if you don't mind my asking, what price did they settle on for the 8x42?

I placed my order over two months ago and the price I was quoted then they gave me today for the 8x42s, will arrive Friday!

[Curtis Croulet]

I got home and there was a call from EO on my answering machine. They said I was one of the first on the list. Sounds good to me!

[mlamb]

Originally Posted by Curtis Croulet

I'm on EO's pre-order list. Looks like I'll have to wait for the next batch. mlamb, if you don't mind my asking, what price did they settle on for the 8x42?

Curtis,
Sale price was $1199 but they are now selling for $1229. Shipping was $30 for 2 day delivery (can't wait any longer). So cheaper than ELs and almost the same as Ultravids at $1225. Not bad I guess.

Note:
This was a price that they'd given me late last month in response to an email I'd sent them asking for availability and cost. I placed my pre-order with them on Monday and told them of the price they quoted. They said they'd honor it but is not the correct one. I had the impression that $1199 was never to have been used at any time. I mention this as I don't believe the increase is due to demand at this point.

-Mike

[Curtis Croulet]

When I called back in June and asked to be put on the list, I was quoted $1199. This was, I'm almost sure, after I told them it was the 8x42 that interested me. When I called last week, I was told $1199, $1229 & $1249 for the 7x, 8x & 10x respectively. Whatever. Binoculars.com and optics4birding.com are advertising the 8x42 for $1399.

[zurtfox]

Originally Posted by william j clive

Chris, when you get over your sulk, and obtain the 7x42, please let us know what you think of their performance.Clive

Hi Clive,
I certainly will do that, but apparently the only FLs in the country so far are the 10x42s; Zeiss UK are still awaiting the arrival of both 7x & 8x!

[Pinewood]

Henry or whoever,

Can anyone compare the Victory 8x with the FL 8x? I am satisfied with the Victory in all respects, even though its central resolution may be a wee bit wanting. Overall is the FL worth the trouble of moving up the price scale? I cannot justify having two glasses of very similar specifications.

Many thanks and happy birding,
Arthur Pinewood

[henry link]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

Henry or whoever,

Can anyone compare the Victory 8x with the FL 8x? I am satisfied with the Victory in all respects, even though its central resolution may be a wee bit wanting. Overall is the BL worth the trouble ofmoving up the price scale? I cannot justify having two glasses of very similar specifications.

Many thanks and happy birding,
Arthur Pinewood

Arthur,

I might be able to do this if the Zeiss dealer in Chapel Hill still has a pair of Victory 8X40's in stock; however, that would be me, not you. comparing a recent pair of 8X40's, not yours, to the FL. If I were you I wouldn't trust anyone else's opinion far enough to actually make the switch without seeing the FL's for yourself.

Henry

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by henry link

Arthur,

I might be able to do this if the Zeiss dealer in Chapel Hill still has a pair of Victory 8X40's in stock; however, that would be me, not you, comparing a recent pair of 8X40's, not yours, to the FL. If I were you I wouldn't trust anyone else's opinion far enough to actually make the switch without seeing the FL's for yourself.

Henry

My dear Henry,

Your advice is good, but I generally buy by mail order. Although, I can return the item, it would be a bother. If I were to trouble a local merchant to look at an FL, it would be unethical to make the purchase elsewhere.
If anyone would care to make an informed comment, I certainly would like to read it before taking any action.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[Curtis Croulet]

Eagle Optics honored, without my prompting, the price they originally quoted me for the 8x42. Wow! Can't complain about service like that! I should have the FLs tomorrow.

[Grousemore]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

My dear Henry,

Your advice is good, but I generally buy by mail order. Although, I can return the item, it would be a bother. If I were to trouble a local merchant to look at an FL, it would be unethical to make the purchase elsewhere.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

Apologies for intruding and going off-topic (as a Moderator!),but I just wanted to say how refreshing I found the attitude as indicated above by Arthur.

To expect specialist Optics retailers to carry expensive stock and thus provide a free testing service,prior to finding the cheapest price online or elsewhere,is unacceptable in my opinion.