New Habicht who has experience? (1 Viewer)

[jnielsen]

I am considering buying a new 10x40 Habicht to use as my primary 10x but do not have one locally to look through.

I know the brightness will be great and the FOV is good enough and I actually like the weight of the rubber armored version for a 10x glass.

I am wondering how the glass handles CA and how large the sweet spot will typically be. Edge defects? Not expecting a flat field.

Has anyone compared one to the new crop of premium 10x42 glasses?

 

[steve@37n84w]

I am considering buying a new 10x40 Habicht to use as my primary 10x but do not have one locally to look through.

I know the brightness will be great and the FOV is good enough and I actually like the weight of the rubber armored version for a 10x glass.

I am wondering how the glass handles CA and how large the sweet spot will typically be. Edge defects? Not expecting a flat field.

Has anyone compared one to the new crop of premium 10x42 glasses?

Doubt if you find one locally, they're pretty rare. Proudpapa56 is showing both the leather and rubber armored 10x40 Habichts in stock on his ebay store. I've not looked through a 10x40 Habicht yet but the 8x30 is about as good as it gets.

Steve

 

[brocknroller]

I am considering buying a new 10x40 Habicht to use as my primary 10x but do not have one locally to look through.

I know the brightness will be great and the FOV is good enough and I actually like the weight of the rubber armored version for a 10x glass.

I am wondering how the glass handles CA and how large the sweet spot will typically be. Edge defects? Not expecting a flat field.

Has anyone compared one to the new crop of premium 10x42 glasses?

I have the latest Nikon 10x42 SE, and for a 10x, it controls CA well, and I am sensitive to CA.

According to PHA, the 10x40 Habicht is even better at controlling CA:

"Nikon 10x42 SE and Swarovski Habicht 10x40 W GA almost identical performance with a slight advantage (between these two examples...) for the Habicht in resolution and CA control."

The 10x42 FL beats both of them for CA control, but with fluorite glass, that's no surprise.

Check out the OP in this thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=180553

Brock

 

[jnielsen]

Thanks for the info, chasing my tail I guess as I once owned a 10x42 FL.

 

[steve@37n84w]

Thanks for the info, chasing my tail I guess as I once owned a 10x42 FL.

Maybe you aren't just chasing your tail. I much prefer the view in my 8x30 Habicht to my 8x42FL.......and my EDG......and my Geovid.....and my SEs.....etc.

Steve

 

[Torview]

No experience of a Habicht yet, but a good Porro ?, I`m finding such a hard act to beat, speaking as a former FL owner.

 

[stephen b]

Maybe you aren't just chasing your tail. I much prefer the view in my 8x30 Habicht to my 8x42FL.......and my EDG......and my Geovid.....and my SEs.....etc.

Steve

Agreed. I love the view through my 8x30 Habicht.

 

[ronh]

This is hard to believe as it makes zero sense, but I recall Henry Link talking about these Habichts a few years back and pointing out that there is a significant difference between the design of the eyecups between the leather covered and rubber armored models. One would pop out on you, when folded down. Sorry I don't remember which one did it, but you might try searching on Henry's posts mentioning Habicht and eyecups.
Ron

 

[steve@37n84w]

This is hard to believe as it makes zero sense, but I recall Henry Link talking about these Habichts a few years back and pointing out that there is a significant difference between the design of the eyecups between the leather covered and rubber armored models. One would pop out on you, when folded down. Sorry I don't remember which one did it, but you might try searching on Henry's posts mentioning Habicht and eyecups.
Ron

Ron

It's the eyecups on the rubber armored versions that is better suited to those who wear glasses. The eyecups for the GA Habichts (rubber armored version) are a little larger in diameter and are also made of a more pliable material making them easier to fold down for use with glasses and of course are a different color (green). The eyecups are interchangeable and I've thought about getting the GA version just to see how I like them but I get along fine with the standard version.

Steve

 

[Giorgio]

If i remember correctly, the last models of 10x40 Habicht are on axis very very sharp with a well controled CA. I don't think you will find a roof as sharp on axis.
Its 3D is very good with a nice depth of field.
The blurring of axis is a bit like the one you find in the 8x30 model, the blurr starts at about 75-80% of the Fov, this is where some of the alpha roofs tend to beat the Habicht.
I don't remember about its distortion, but there is some in the 8x30, so there should be some in the 10x40. But honnestly, it doesn't disturb me, as an owner of a 8x30.
Quickly, i would say that if you are not an edge sharpness maniac, the Habicht series are unbeatable regarding optics and price.
Their issues are short eyecups (my eyelashes were touching the eyepieces and putting some grease on them, i had to purchase astro eyecups, so now its even better), of axis blurr, maybe some distortion, heavy ghost images on artificial lights by night.

 

[[email protected]]

If i remember correctly, the last models of 10x40 Habicht are on axis very very sharp with a well controled CA. I don't think you will find a roof as sharp on axis.
Its 3D is very good with a nice depth of field.
The blurring of axis is a bit like the one you find in the 8x30 model, the blurr starts at about 75-80% of the Fov, this is where some of the alpha roofs tend to beat the Habicht.
I don't remember about its distortion, but there is some in the 8x30, so there should be some in the 10x40. But honnestly, it doesn't disturb me, as an owner of a 8x30.
Quickly, i would say that if you are not an edge sharpness maniac, the Habicht series are unbeatable regarding optics and price.
Their issues are short eyecups (my eyelashes were touching the eyepieces and putting some grease on them, i had to purchase astro eyecups, so now its even better), of axis blurr, maybe some distortion, heavy ghost images on artificial lights by night.

Totally agree. All your points are right on. I haven't had a roof that was as sharp on-axis as the Habicht 8x30 yet. I am getting the Kowa 8x32 Genesis tomorrow so we will see how the great CA killer performs.

 

[PHA]

Hello,

Brock allready upload the post about the Habicht 10x40 W GA. I still have mine, one of the last or newest Habicht. And, also, still have my FL 10x42. I have not changed, all the contrary, my opinion on this great binocular!! For me, it is way better than the Nikon SE 10x42. And only a little, if any, behind the FL...
The New Habicht are binoculars to last a lifetime!!

Best Regards

PHA

 

[Malloot]

I'm an owner of a 2009 7x42 leather Habicht. If you can handle the narrow FOV and the stiff focus knob in cold weather, you have a rather cheap alpha binocular.

Concering image quality, I yet have to find a better pair of 7x bins. The Habicht series prodcues a very bright image with natural colors.

When buying my bins I also looked at the 10x version, but 10x is to shakey for me.

It is sad that people ignore porro bins when buying new bins.

 

[Odradek]

Recently i had a brandnew Habicht 10x40 leather here. But i sended it back because i can handle the 8x magnification better. But regarding the image quality ... well ... now other words than still amazing. It was such a sharp and clear image. I really think about trying the 8x30 now. In my opinion there is only one major drawback, and that was the eyecups. Why do they produce such an amazing binocular and dont spend them better eyecups? Maybe they are not totally useless, but the ease of view suffers so much. Thats an insult to such a great image quality.

 

[Malloot]

Recently i had a brandnew Habicht 10x40 leather here. But i sended it back because i can handle the 8x magnification better. But regarding the image quality ... well ... now other words than still amazing. It was such a sharp and clear image. I really think about trying the 8x30 now. In my opinion there is only one major drawback, and that was the eyecups. Why do they produce such an amazing binocular and dont spend them better eyecups? Maybe they are not totally useless, but the ease of view suffers so much. Thats an insult to such a great image quality.

Almost the same experience here.

I tried the 10x Habicht in the shop and loved the image but 10x shakes to much for me.

The 8x is also a real beauty, but my hands are way to big en they come in front of the objectives.

The 7x is the perfect binocular for me, nice clear steady image.

They eyecups should be modern twist up/down eyecups instead of fold-able eyecups. But they weren't a dealbreaker for me. I wear glasses and thus the eyecups are folded down in general, but hardly fold up during a day of birding.

The Habicht range deserves it to get way more attention they get at this moment.

 

[brocknroller]

Almost the same experience here.

I tried the 10x Habicht in the shop and loved the image but 10x shakes to much for me.

The 8x is also a real beauty, but my hands are way to big en they come in front of the objectives.

The 7x is the perfect binocular for me, nice clear steady image.

They eyecups should be modern twist up/down eyecups instead of fold-able eyecups. But they weren't a dealbreaker for me. I wear glasses and thus the eyecups are folded down in general, but hardly fold up during a day of birding.

The Habicht range deserves it to get way more attention they get at this moment.

Malloot,

If the stubby size was the only objection you had to the 8x30 Habicht, that can be remedied with a pair of Bushwacker or Butler flip-up objective caps. I had the same problem with my 8x30 EII, my palms stuck out in front and reflected light into the bins, but with the Bushwackers, my palms don't overlap the barrels, and, in addition, the bins balance better in my hands.

According to Eagle Optics, Bushwacker no longer makes objective covers that flip up at a 90* angle, which are ideal for bins, only those that flip up at 180*, good for riflescopes, but for bins, they'd flip back on the barrels. You can cut off the spring loaded flip up covers like I did or buy Butler caps, though the Butler's don't have as much flexibility in fitting in between sizes.

The 8x EII has just "stubs" for barrels yet the Bushwackers fit. Here's a photo of one barrel with the Bushwacker next to the 10x EII.

Oldcoot

 

[Malloot]

Malloot,

If the stubby size was the only objection you had to the 8x30 Habicht, that can be remedied with a pair of Bushwacker or Butler flip-up objective caps. I had the same problem with my 8x30 EII, my palms stuck out in front and reflected light into the bins, but with the Bushwackers, my palms don't overlap the barrels, and, in addition, the bins balance better in my hands.

According to Eagle Optics, Bushwacker no longer makes objective covers that flip up at a 90* angle, which are ideal for bins, only those that flip up at 180*, good for riflescopes, but for bins, they'd flip back on the barrels. You can cut off the spring loaded flip up covers like I did or buy Butler caps, though the Butler's don't have as much flexibility in fitting in between sizes.

The 8x EII has just "stubs" for barrels yet the Bushwackers fit. Here's a photo of one barrel with the Bushwacker next to the 10x EII.

Oldcoot

Brock,

Thanks for your reaction.

I solved the 'problem' to buy the 7x :t:
Also I love the amount of light that comes through the lenses.

At this point the 7x performs better then the 8x and the 10x.

 

[Odradek]

They eyecups should be modern twist up/down eyecups instead of fold-able eyecups. But they weren't a dealbreaker for me.

Is there a Porro with twist out eyecups?

But even without new modern twist out eyecups, look at the Nikon EII it has, at least in my opinion, a fantastic ease of view. "Old" eyecups can deliver too. The combination is the problem. The eyecups are maybe not terrible, but they make it harder to enjoy the fantastic image. It´s like building a Maybach with eggshaped wheels. You know what i mean?

 

[brocknroller]

Brock,

Thanks for your reaction.

I solved the 'problem' to buy the 7x :t:
Also I love the amount of light that comes through the lenses.

At this point the 7x performs better then the 8x and the 10x.

I prefer 7x as well, but the Habicht's porthole 45.5* AFOV would bring out my latent claustrophobic tendencies.

I think that Swarovski should attach a label:

WARNING: Do not use if you suffer or have suffered from claustrophobia and are not currently taking benzodiazepines, antidepressants and/or beta-blockers as a treatment. :eat:

If you looked through my 7x50 Nova with its 10* FOV, 70* AFOV, the opposite reaction would happen, you'd get agoraphobia = fear of open spaces.

The 7x42 Habicht is also Proud Papa's favorite, and I think one other member. The rest seem to prefer either the 8x30 or 10x40, with the 8x30 model leading the pack.

But "to each his own," that's why they made three models.

Brock

 

[[email protected]]

Is there a Porro with twist out eyecups?

But even without new modern twist out eyecups, look at the Nikon EII it has, at least in my opinion, a fantastic ease of view. "Old" eyecups can deliver too. The combination is the problem. The eyecups are maybe not terrible, but they make it harder to enjoy the fantastic image. It´s like building a Maybach with eggshaped wheels. You know what i mean?

Try the Opticron 8x42 HP WR porro with internal focus. Twist out eyecups and waterproof. On-axis resolution is very close to the Habicht. I think the Opticron has the best 3D image I have seen and it focuses smooth and easy even in the cold.. Only about $320.00 too. The Habicht 8x30 needs a little longer eyecups. That's it's only shortcoming.