So I'm continuing to use the Retrovid 7X35 as my primary binocular. Let's remember I've had this binocular since 01/20. I remember how skeptical I was of purchasing and actually USING this binocular as a primary birding binocular. I have proven to myself that those thoughts were nonsense.
I recently returned from a trip to Gulf Shores, AL. Beautiful area! And YES the restaurants were open to about 50% capacity!
Seafood was plentiful and delicious!
As were the BIRDS! I went birding by myself mostly and Carol went a couple of times using her MIJ Cabela's Guide Series 8X32 and me with the Retrovid 7X35
alternating with the CL B 8X30 and the SV 8X32. We missed most of spring migration(as I knew we would) but lots of good birds there for the summer. No new birds for me but I did see a magnificent frigate bird which was new for Alabama. I've never seen so many sandwich terns and terns in general were plentiful. I will also say that a black bellied plover in breeding plumage is something to see!
The Retrovid continues to impress. Optically it's excellent. The focus adjustment is smooth as can be. I almost wish it had a tad more effort BUT this may be the best way to do things with its small surface area focus wheel. Strangely, this focus wheel is never an issue with adjustment instinctive and precise. This was the primary area I thought I'd have issue with and it just hasn't been so. There is absolutely ZERO slack in the focus adjustment. Swapping to the CL B and it was easy for me to decide my favorite between the two. The view of the CL B while excellent just doesn't come across as immersive and seems a little more "closed in." I'm not that crazy about the CL B focus adjustment. There's no "slack" but there's
something about it I'm not crazy about. It doesn't feel as good as the CL it replaces. It almost feels "delayed." I thought it would smooth out some but it hasn't. For me the Retrovid handles better as well. It is an easy decision for me to decide which I like best and that's the Retrovid.
Moving to the SV 8X32 it's easy for me to decide which I prefer but that ultimate difference between the two is small. While the Retrovid feels almost like a compact in the hand, the SV feels more substantial. I pick up the SV and everything falls into place. Once I convince myself the Retrovid is the SVs equal I realize it's not, quite. Although the Retrovid's FOV is wide flatish, the SV is equally wide and FLAT! Focus is FAST and precise. To me the SV 32mm is the best handling binocular, EVER. I believe I could absolutely be satisfied with the Retrovid 7X35 as my primary birding binocular if the SV 8X32 wasn't in the picture. But I could probably say the same thing about the Conquest HD 8X32, the Noctivid 8X42, et al.
As a side note... I took the Monarch 7 8X32 along to the beach and other spots when I wasn't too crazy about bring along a more expensive and usually more bulky binocular. I used it with glasses/sunglasses and with no glasses. Sitting on the beach watching terns feed along the surf I couldn't keep from smiling about what a nice binocular this is. It's not the best optically but this sucker keeps on ticking. I couldn't keep from laughing at how nice the optics actually ARE. It has probably been exposed to the worst elements of any binocular I have yet the focus is smoother than some binoculars costing much more and functionally as good as new. Finish has held up great too.
Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day holiday and try to remember what this day actually represents.
