[birdazzLED]

I know zoom binoculars are crap. Why can't we have two levels instead - such as 8x 10x X 42. Oh I think I know why. Maybe they sell more binoculars with only one magnification level so one would have to buy another if they needed greater magnification.

I don't know what (or rather where specifically) determines a bins power level. Perhaps some kind of eyepiece attachments will convert 8x to 10x.

[John P]

Leica Duovid.

[Kevin Conville]

Originally Posted by John P

Leica Duovid.

and Leupold Switch Power

[Kevin Purcell]

Search for forum for a link to the patent for the Leupold Switch Power which shows how it's done (a movable lens in the air gap of the Schmidt-Pechan prism).

[spyglass]

There really isn't enuf difference between 8x & 10x (assuming the image quality stays the same) to make that worthwhile. 7x to 12x would be a good jump tho'.

[Kevin Purcell]

The otherdownside which you see in the Leupold is the FOV tends to be narrower at lower magnifications. And that's one of the reasons you want lower magnification.

Another route is to carry two bins (e.g. the US Army with 7x and 14x IS bins) or a scope an a bin (the latter is of course the most common) so as to get a useful jump in magnification (and some stability).

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by Kevin Purcell

Another route is to carry two bins (e.g. the US Army with 7x and 14x IS bins) or a scope an a bin (the latter is of course the most common) so as to get a useful jump in magnification (and some stability).

One day I might try that. A compact wide-FOV 8x (like my current Opticron DBA Oasis 8x21) and a Canon IS 18x50 (which I don´t yet own). The Man with Two Bins.

[Tero]

Sancho, you will need a cowboy belt with two holsters for the binos, so you can whip out whichever weapon you need, quickly.

[Kevin Purcell]

Originally Posted by Tero

Sancho, you will need a cowboy belt with two holsters for the binos, so you can whip out whichever weapon you need, quickly.

If you wear one around your neck you only need one bag. The switch usually happens with changes in habitat (at the ecotones as an ecologist might say!).

A Pajaro Grande bag works well for almost all bins. It does for me.

[birdazzLED]

I don't suppose a really large bra would work...nah.

[alan_rymer]

Originally Posted by birdazzLED

I don't suppose a really large bra would work...nah.

But you might get birds nesting in it

[birdazzLED]

Originally Posted by alan_rymer

But you might get birds nesting in it

Well that will solve my choosing-the-best-for-budget-bin dilemma. All I need to carry would be a loupe - dual loupes!

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by Kevin Purcell

A Pajaro Grande bag works well for almost all bins. It does for me.

The name alone would work for me. With the cowboy hat. "Hi pardner, my name is Sancho. This is my Pajaro Grande bag. In which I´m packing two irons. One very big, one very small".

Does that sound Jack Palance or Brokeback Mountain???

[Kevin Purcell]

Or "Bareback Mountain" as I once heard someone call it in Seattle

You'd need the walk though. But carrying two bins, a couple of field guides and a scope will do that for you.

"So do you feel lucky, Birdie? Well , do you?"

Wait that's my urban birding gear speaking.

[Kevin Conville]

Originally Posted by Sancho

The name alone would work for me. With the cowboy hat. "Hi pardner, my name is Sancho. This is my Pajaro Grande bag. In which I´m packing two irons. One very big, one very small".

Does that sound Jack Palance or Brokeback Mountain???

That'd be a little too squirrelly for even Brokeback Mountain, though you're getting close!

I suggest the silent stranger persona

[edwincjones]

but to get back on track,
my leica duovid is a great 10x50 binocular
with the option of going to 15x,
I just wish it were $2000 cheaper, and 20 oz lighter
oh wait, that is the power switch from Leupold

(I do think that the above posters have made a very good point for a duel mag bino)

edj

[edwincjones]

but to get back on track,
my leica duovid is a great 10x50 binocular
with the option of going to 15x,
I just wish it were $2000 cheaper, and 20 oz lighter
oh wait, that is the power switch from Leupold

(I do think that the above posters have made a very good point for a duel mag bino)

edj

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by edwincjones

but to get back on track,
my leica duovid is a great 10x50 binocular
with the option of going to 15x,
I just wish it were $2000 cheaper, and 20 oz lighter
oh wait, that is the power switch from Leupold

(I do think that the above posters have made a very good point for a duel mag bino)

edj

I think you're taking this "duality" thing a bit too far.... (i.e. double-post)

What about Duovid 10x plus 15x? Anyone using it for birding?

[J. Moore]

Originally Posted by edwincjones

but to get back on track,
my leica duovid is a great 10x50 binocular
with the option of going to 15x,
I just wish it were $2000 cheaper, and 20 oz lighter
oh wait, that is the power switch from Leupold

(I do think that the above posters have made a very good point for a duel mag bino)

edj

I gave the Leupold switch powers a two day test and don't recommend them. See my review below (which is copied from the thread in the Leupold subforum discussing these bins--just click on blue arrow at beginning of quote to see the thread).

Originally Posted by J. Moore

I bought a pair of the 7/12X Leupold switch power binoculars a few weeks ago, and reluctantly decided to return them.

Pros: very good image at 7X; fast focus ideal for birding; very light and compact with good ergonomics; distinctive and I think attractive appearance

Cons: significant image quality deterioration at 12X -- so much so that I felt I could not ID the bird any better than at 7X -- image was both less sharp and noticeably darker even in broad daylight; diopter and focus seem to need readjusting when you switch powers; eye cups did not move up and down smoothly, and it was difficult to set both at the same height

I really like the concept of switch power binoculars, and loved the fast focus. And as others have reported, it is surprising that, at least for brief periods, hand shake is not really a problem at 12X. But the deterioration in image quality at 12X was a dealbreaker for me. Reminded me of budget scopes where the higher magnifications are of no use because the image quality deteriorates so much. (Though it's not quite that bad with these binoculars).

I suppose some of my problems might have been the result of a bad pair, but I notice that Steve C. also reported above a need to readjust the diopter at different powers. I give credit to Leupold for making the effort to think outside the box and come up with an innovative design, and for getting so much right about these binoculars. But they still need some work before they would be a candidate for my primary birding binoculars.

Best,
Jim

[Nessus]

A small 8x32 or so and a the Zeiss 12x45 Conquest is pretty much unbeatable as a high low combo because the 12's only weigh like 23oz or so and the image is fantastic. To my eyes they looked better then the Minox 13x56, and I had both side by side. Yeah the Minox had a huge FOV but judging just by one object at a time the Zeiss coatings were so good IMO they were besting the image of the huge Minox bins.

[edwincjones]

Originally Posted by Sancho

I think you're taking this "duality" thing a bit too far.... (i.e. double-post)

What about Duovid 10x plus 15x? Anyone using it for birding?

sorry about the double post-I did not notice it.

I use the duovid for birding, with a bino harness, for more open areas for raptors and seabirds. I use it as a 10x, but go to the 15x when a closer view is needed.

For the cost, and weight, two binos could be used; but only one is easier for me to manage.

edj

[ingle1970]

Originally Posted by edwincjones

I use it as a 10x, but go to the 15x when a closer view is needed.

edj

Is it also possible to use it at 12.5 x 50 ? ...

[HoosierGuy]

Going from 7x to 12x you would go from nice steady view to shaky view.

I've had half the mind to carry my three binoculars around my neck. lol. But the weight of my two 10x's and my one 8x would be like carrying a brick around my neck. When I am driving to one of the state parks I do load up the back seat with binoculars tho.

[spyglass]

By this time, the technology should be available for a telescopic lens implant for the average eyeball (or a complete replacement like the bionic Steve had). You just think 6x or 12x or ? and beepbeepbeep, it's done, and without a decrease in fov. Wooden it b wunnerful? ('Course Leica, Bushnell, Me Opta, et al might not like it too much, but....)

[SPOTTED FLYCATCHER]

hI,

I have just bought a pair of Opticron SR GA 7-18x42 (they were going cheap) and i can't put them down. The optical quality is really pretty good at 18x and at 7x they are the sharpest binos i have ever seen. I tend to use them at about 9x....which just feels right...zooming up to 18x to make distant ID's. i can hold them still enough to get the ID. Living near the coast they are proving invaluble and i don't always now need to take the scope. Weight wise they only pitch in at 797g so not to weighty....great binos