Habicht. (1 Viewer)

[harv 1]

I was all set to buy Zeiss conquest but a fellow birder has suggested the habicht something I had not considered but reviews are good at a price which appeals any thoughts please looking for 8x. Many thanks, Phil.

 

[Sancho]

I recently saw my first pair of Habicht 8x30 and was very impressed. I didn't have a Conquest there to compare, but I'm sure it outclasses the Conquests optically. Given that it's waterproof, if you like porro-view, it's a winner, and a steal at the price compared to roofs of the same quality. I blathered on about it on a thread comparing it to the SV 8x32. Only a hair's breadth less sharp and bright than the astronomically-priced SV, and very comfortable and 'petite'.

 

[Troubador]

Phil

The Habicht is a fine instrument, no question. The porro prism arrangement however means that is has what some people would call an 'old fashioned' binocular shape. This means it handles and feels very different from a Zeiss Conquest HD.

Personally I would feel much happier with the handling of the Conquest which I also think are more elegant, though this may not be a factor in your decision making.

Again, its try before you buy....

Lee

 

[normjackson]

Here's link to Swarovski binocular page showing current lines :
http://www.swarovskioptik.com/en/products/binoculars
Should be aware of some potential confusion though since the word "Habicht" has historically featured on all sorts of Swarovski models.

 

[steve@37n84w]

Phil

The Habicht is an optical marvel whose diminutive physical size belie its mechanical robustness and its amazing brightness, hard to believe that a 8x30 can transmit so much light. I would caution you to try before you buy however because for most people the all important "eyepiece to eye socket" interface can be problematic. In most modern center focus porros the inside of the oculars rest against the bridge of your nose which provide support or the eyecups nestle into your eye sockets providing (hopefully) the correct eyerelief.....not so the Habicht.

The very small diameter of the oculars on the Habicht don't bother me since I use a lot of vintage porros and automatically brace my forefingers against my forehead to achieve a steady view. You can also increase the diameter of the Habicht's oculars by adding horned/winged eyecups allowing it "nestle" against the bridge of your nose. Enclosing a pic comparing the oculars of the Habicht with a 8x30 EII and 8x32 SE so you can see just how the little Swarovski compares and one showing the Habicht with horned/winged eyecups added.

I hope the Habicht works for you when you get a chance to try one, it's optical performance is really something special. Also if they gave out awards for "best looking" binocular in my mind the Habicht would win hands down, just on pure aesthetics I prefer it over my other porros and my alpha roofs.

Steve

 

[newfie ghost]

Wow Steve thanks for the picture, very informative. That swaro is so classy.

I publically stated that my binocular collection is complete. The Habicht is determined to break my abstinence though.

 

[steve@37n84w]

Wow Steve thanks for the picture, very informative. That swaro is so classy.

I publically stated that my binocular collection is complete. The Habicht is determined to break my abstinence though.

As far as your vow of abstinence it's probably a good thing your unlikely to find a dealer stocking the Habicht because if you handle one you'll want to take it home. The quality of the optics are a given which is why I mentioned getting one in your hands; there is something about this particular binocular that evokes a purely visceral reaction simply because it feels so good in your hands. Sounds rather weird but it's truth, at least for me anyway.

Steve

 

[proudpapa56]

I can only bite my lip for so long

In stock, ready to ship, free shipping to BF members in the U.S. Feel free to PM me.

 

[brocknroller]

Phil

The Habicht is an optical marvel whose diminutive physical size belie its mechanical robustness and its amazing brightness, hard to believe that a 8x30 can transmit so much light. I would caution you to try before you buy however because for most people the all important "eyepiece to eye socket" interface can be problematic. In most modern center focus porros the inside of the oculars rest against the bridge of your nose which provide support or the eyecups nestle into your eye sockets providing (hopefully) the correct eyerelief.....not so the Habicht.

The very small diameter of the oculars on the Habicht don't bother me since I use a lot of vintage porros and automatically brace my forefingers against my forehead to achieve a steady view. You can also increase the diameter of the Habicht's oculars by adding horned/winged eyecups allowing it "nestle" against the bridge of your nose. Enclosing a pic comparing the oculars of the Habicht with a 8x30 EII and 8x32 SE so you can see just how the little Swarovski compares and one showing the Habicht with horned/winged eyecups added.

I hope the Habicht works for you when you get a chance to try one, it's optical performance is really something special. Also if they gave out awards for "best looking" binocular in my mind the Habicht would win hands down, just on pure aesthetics I prefer it over my other porros and my alpha roofs.

Steve

Deep-set eyes and a high bridge nose is lethal combination with wide eyecups. So the Habicht's smaller diameter eyecups would be a welcomed change for me, but not sure about the stiff focuser that some have talked about. That I will have to try.

How did you get those Swaro eyecups on the 8x32 SE? Are they from the full sized SLCs? I have a pair of 8x30 SLC eyecups but they don't fit on the rim of the SE's housing.

<B>

 

[ceasar]

Deep-set eyes and a high bridge nose is lethal combination with wide eyecups. So the Habicht's smaller diameter eyecups would be a welcomed change for me, but not sure about the stiff focuser that some have talked about. That I will have to try.

How did you get those Swaro eyecups on the 8x32 SE? Are they from the full sized SLCs? I have a pair of 8x30 SLC eyecups but they don't fit on the rim of the SE's housing.

<B>

They are Nikon's Horned Eyecups from the EDG. I prefer the regular ones on the SE.

Bob