[digi-birder]

Did anyone see the advert in the latest Bird Watching for Leica binoculars?

The barrels are bright red - surely this hampers one's attempts not to be noticed by the birds! Won't this scare the birds off?

Does anyone have any of these different-coloured bins (not including the ubiquitous dark green, of course!).

[pduxon]

Diane

I think these are loan binoculars. The idea is you borrow them and see how "wonderful" the optics are.

Pete

[Michael Frankis]

C'mon, lets not discriminate against binoculars on the basis of their skin colour! They're just the same underneath, as good as each other

Michael

[digi-birder]

Ooh! Thanks guys.

BTW, this was a serious question. Not like me to be asking such things, I know, but there you go.

[nigelblake]

Given the amount of birders that I see out in bright coloured clothing, I don't think that red (or any other bright colour) bins will make a great deal of difference!!!

[Andrew]

I think it is an advertising tactic. People refer to Leicas as the Red Ones due to the logo (red circle) so they are using wholly red bins for the advert. I have only seen green and black Leicas in the field.

[pduxon]

Originally posted by nigelblake
Given the amount of birders that I see out in bright coloured clothing, I don't think that red (or any other bright colour) bins will make a great deal of difference!!!

take your point Nigel but I find the types in their combat fatigues and face paint (or is they haven't washed?) equally amusing.

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by pduxon
Diane

I think these are loan binoculars. The idea is you borrow them and see how "wonderful" the optics are.

Pete

Having just re-read the ad on my return home, I can now see what you mean. Obviously it didn't stand out as I was reading it at 5.30 this morning after another almost sleepless night!

I think most 'proper' birders wear subtle clothing, but I have seen some people wearing bright red jackets and the like.

Oh, and by the way, Pete, Nigel wears combat gear! I think he draws the line at face paint, though, eh Nigel?

[CJW]

You'd think more women would get into birding if they heard that they could wear face paint........

[pduxon]

Originally posted by digi-birder
Having just re-read the ad on my return home, I can now see what you mean. Obviously it didn't stand out as I was reading it at 5.30 this morning after another almost sleepless night!

I think most 'proper' birders wear subtle clothing, but I have seen some people wearing bright red jackets and the like.

Oh, and by the way, Pete, Nigel wears combat gear! I think he draws the line at face paint, though, eh Nigel?

Missing hubby Diane?

Why is it that yesterday I woke at 4:10 today 5:10 and when I want to wake early to do the forest I oversleep!!!!!!

Nigel - I'm sure the combat gear is "logical" but I find it really amusing. "Citrine Wagtail at 10 o'clock, aim camera, take picture!!!!!"

Me? normal subdued colours. Navy blue, greens that sort of thing.

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by pduxon
Missing hubby Diane?

Well, that goes without saying, but it's some noise in the area that starts up in the wee small hours that's the problem.

We think it's the local steel works that have started keeping some new hours. There's the sound in the distance of something like a forge hammer hitting metal. Not good at 3.30 am!

I now have some ear plugs so I should be OK tonight.

[TimF]

Hello to all you expert birders out there - I'm a novice birder and new forum member

Currently I have a pair of these leica 8x32 red bins to roadtest over the weekend.

These seem excellent to my novice birder eyes -

the way it works is that you take the red ones back to the shop and if you like em they swap em for a black or green pair. If you don't want to keep em they just refund your credit card.

When I explained this to my wife she was disapointed that there wasn't a chance of keeping the red pair! - said they look very smart!

Pity the shop wont let me road test the swarovski EL 8x32 - as I think these are my first choice (although £200 more expensive!)

Cheers

[Andrew]

Diane, go round to the steel works and have a word with them!

[Pinewood]

A few months, ago, the 8x32 BN binoculars started appearing on ebay. They were sold by authorized Leica dealers with demonstration guarantees, not the lifetime warranty with three years "no fault," repairs. They were fully guaranteed for one year, and then a lifetime of material and workmanship warranty. I believe that there may have been two on ebay, this week.The "story" I got was that these were a trial colour, which failed to be accepted so that the glasses were being cleared out.

In the States, Leica often sells binoculars that have been at hunters' exhibitions as "demos," through a few chosen retailers. The few scuffs and marks from handling disqualify them as new. The registration card is a special blue colour.

Two bird watchers, of my acquaintance, liked the colour, because it prevented misplacing the glass.

I think my discount was $200 or more below the existing lowest price for a regular 8x32 BN.

Happy birding,
Arthur Pinewood

[leetar]

Originally Posted by digi-birder

Did anyone see the advert in the latest Bird Watching for Leica binoculars?

The barrels are bright red - surely this hampers one's attempts not to be noticed by the birds! Won't this scare the birds off?

Does anyone have any of these different-coloured bins (not including the ubiquitous dark green, of course!).

My understanding is the worst color you can wear is white. Birds don't seem to mind other colors. This is from some of the quides at Cape May.

[Andy Bright]

I missed this thread first time around, i'd guess i was on holiday at the time.
Interesting about the red leicas. I've seen bright yellow binos, but you need to consider that birders aren't the only people who use binos ... having a highly visible pair (yellow) is probably the choice for those at sea.

[henry link]

The Leica-USA website has information on these red 8X32 BNs. They are supplied (probably at very little cost) to dealers as "loan-binoculars". There is a downloadable brochure on the program called "Eyewitnesses wanted", and a list of participating dealers. Perhaps the red color is designed to prevent them from being mistaken for regular stock.

BTW does anyone else remember that about 15-20 years ago Swarovski made a "ladies version" of the 8X30W porro they still make? It substituted genuine red leather in place of the black synthetic covering and came in a leather case that resembled a high fashion handbag. I don't suppose we will be seeing anything like that again.