Optics to try in 2023 (1 Viewer)

[Will K]

What optics are you interested in trying out in 2023?

My list:

Not yet tested:

• ATC
• Habicht
• Harpia 95
• ATX 95/115
• Meopta S2
• Vortex Kaibab 18x56
• Zeiss 20x60 IS
• Canon 15x50 IS
• APO-Televid 82

Tested already, but more time needed:

• NL Pure 8/10x32
• SFL 8/10x40
• Vortex Razor UHD 10x42/50
• Noctivid 8/10x42
• SF 10x42
• Ultravid 10x/25/32
• CL 10x25
• Canon 18x50 IS
• BTX

 

[Rg548]

Habicht..... (again)... I keep on revisiting this one🙄

 

[Richard D]

Which Habicht? They're quite difference in performance...

 

[Boogieshrew]

ATC for me. And a tripod to go with it.

 

[Rg548]

Which Habicht? They're quite difference in performance...

I actually like them all.
8x30 is just gorgeous, but has its' optical problems.
10x40 is a great all rounder, great to hold and use in my opinion.
7x42 just incredible optics, but very narrow FOV.... but I guess that optical quality comes from the simple design.... can't have it all.
I don't know which I will get..... if I ever get round to it.... I always end up with something else!!!

 

[Maljunulo]

I would like to look through an 8X32 NL.

 

[Binocollector]

Zeiss Victory SF 8x32, maybe a Meopta, Nikon EII.
But at the moment I'm quite happy with my Fujinon HC 8x42 so I think if I really wanted an "upgrade" it would need to be an alpha. The HC is already better than most of my mid-range binos around the 500-600€-mark. So not sure what would be left to improve apart from FoV.

 

[A2GG]

I'd like to see the SFL 8x30 and Trinovid Classic 7x35

 

[tenex]

I absolutely don't need to try anything further. (2022 was very satisfying)

Nikon EII

With all your Porro experience I'm surprised you have yet to try one, and would be very interested in how you find it to compare. That would make a good thread giving many of us a better idea of what your vintage models are like.

 

[Binocollector]

With all your Porro experience I'm surprised you have yet to try one, and would be very interested in how you find it to compare. That would make a good thread giving many of us a better idea of what your vintage models are like.

Very good point! I'd be very interested how they stack up against my best old porros from the 50's-70's myself.
Damn, just when I wanted to be content with my Fujinon HC

 

[Conndomat]

What optics are you interested in trying out in 2023?

Takahashi FOA 60 Q...

Andreas

 

[GrampaTom]

With staples under control, how bout a walk on the wild side, sampling things reminiscent of the past?

Who votes Retrovid 7x35 or Habicht 7x42, or?

 

[gcole]

A Retrovid 7x35, a Meopta Meostar 10x32 and the Fujinon HC 10x42

 

[Maljunulo]

If you are happy with your current glass, it may be unwise to look through a more expensive one.

 

[dries1]

If you are happy with your current glass, it may be unwise to look through a more expensive one.

Are you implying about not trying the NL 8X32 in 2023?

 

[Binocollector]

If you are happy with your current glass, it may be unwise to look through a more expensive one.

Basically a given fact for all optic nerds. "Never try a bino you cannot afford." That's why I didn't look through the NL when shopping for a Kowa, even though they had one on display.

 

[Maljunulo]

Are you implying about not trying the NL 8X32 in 2023?

I’m not “implying“ anything, and I have no way of knowing what you may be inferring.

It’s a general statement, no more no less.

 

[Elpha8888]

I would like to try in 2023 the EDG 8/10x and a Fuji fmtr-sx, 6/10x. My hopes of trying the WX are slim but that would be the dream.

 

[Bill Atwood]

Zeiss 8x30 SFL, hope it is issued soon.

 

[albie...]

I remember trying a pair of Swarovski EL 8.5x42's back in 2008 when my best binocular was a Celestron Regal LX 8x42 . The affect it had on me stuck with me for many years . The Swarovski wowed me to the extreme and I never was fully happy with the Regal after that . Eventually I managed to enjoy bins like Nikon SE's and Nikon E2's . They soothed my want for a better binocular .
Back to present day . A few weeks ago I went to a local camera store to buy Peak Design quick release anchors for my Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 . The guy at the store told me to bring my bins with me so that he could install the anchors for me . While I was there I wanted to see how much better an NL pure would be over my MHG's . Unfortunately the NL Pure was a special order item so the only high end bin they had in stock was a present day Swarovski EL 8.5x42
I was worried that my brief comparison of the two bins would taint my opinion of the Monarch HG . Fortunately it was the opposite . It was obvious that the EL was the better binocular but the difference was subtle to me to the point that unless I won a lottery I cannot see myself spending more than double what I paid for the Nikon's to get a subtle difference . Sorry Swarovski .