Are the Swarovski NL 8x32s the best birding binoculars? (3 Viewers)

[Troubador]

He is kind of cute. Does his tail break off if you grab him?

No idea. We don't try to grab wildlife!

 

[Paultricounty]

Dennis, you’re finally coming around to admitting that your original premise of this thread that “the NL 8x32 is the best for 99% of average birders” is incorrect.

I have read many of your posts assailing other optical characteristics of certain bins that drove you crazy at the time, i.e., ergonomics, eyecups, build quality, weight, GLARE (I was glad when I finally stopped reading about your consternation with veiling glare in the 8x30 Habicht while viewing goats from the bottom of a canyon - that example was in almost every post of yours for several months), and the list goes on. So, a large FOV and a flat image to the edge hasn't ALWAYS been the only two things that float your boat.

Other optical characteristics might be more important to others than a FOV that large and field flatteners (btw, I am not in the flat image camp, as it makes ME feel I am viewing a poster instead of reality, with no quality of depth to the image). But that doesn’t make the opinion of people who like a flattened view any more or less valid than mine, or your’s for that matter.

You like a large FOV and a flat field to the edge. That’s great! And you want to proclaim it to the world. That’s great! And many will agree with you. But implying that the opinions of others who don’t agree with your’s reveals a certain level of arrogance or insecurity, especially when we all know it will change in another couple of months anyway.

Sometimes I actually enjoy reading your posts, as it makes the popcorn taste better 😉

I think on Friday and Saturday nights Dennis is hitting the Vino and likes to get into it, you know a little verbal stimulation, (of course real men drink whiskey or scotch) then on Sunday he’s friendly, personable and agreeable in understanding his contradictory opinions. And maybe he likes looking at goats , and if there’s a lot of them on the ridge he needs a wide FOV with sharp edges to follow all the goats.

 

[Paultricounty]

How about this river snake which is just finishing swallowing a fish. You can see the fish's tail just sticking out of the snake's , mouth.
Lee

View attachment 1474947

Nice photos Lee. Natures amazing creatures and the cruelty, in eat or be eaten. It’s kind of amazing when you think about it , that most species have to eat another species in order to survive , and while the eaten species is still alive.

 

[Paultricounty]

God, the compound eyes on that thing! There must be a thousand eyes!

Probably has a huge FOV and sharp edges, at least on a few dozen of those receptors. The others are probably narrow FOV with smeary edges 🤣

 

[Dennis Mau]

How about this river snake which is just finishing swallowing a fish. You can see the fish's tail just sticking out of the snake's , mouth.
Lee

View attachment 1474947

What kind of snake is that? Is it venomous? Those are excellent pictures.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Nice photos Lee. Natures amazing creatures and the cruelty, in eat or be eaten. It’s kind of amazing when you think about it , that most species have to eat another species in order to survive , and while the eaten species is still alive.

I will eat you alive. You're fresher that way. I love NY Strip Steak.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I think on Friday and Saturday nights Dennis is hitting the Vino and likes to get into it, you know a little verbal stimulation, (of course real men drink whiskey or scotch) then on Sunday he’s friendly, personable and agreeable in understanding his contradictory opinions. And maybe he likes looking at goats , and if there’s a lot of them on the ridge he needs a wide FOV with sharp edges to follow all the goats.

How did you guess?????

 

[Dennis Mau]

No idea. We don't try to grab wildlife!

We have some wildlife around here I wouldn't mind grabbing.

 

[Dennis Mau]

There you go, you answered your own question , now we’re getting somewhere 😃. I’m proud of you🤣.

Don't make me blush.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Denny,

By the tone of your verbiage, I think you are confusing W D C with me ... W J C. Would I be wrong in thinking you simply attack anyone who doesn't agree with YOUR narrow-minded, egocentric, constantly shifting, "I KNOW what I see," philosophies? I believe your words would get a lot more traction if you would back off the throttle a little. But, that's just a thought.

Also, please feel free to assail ME all you want.

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” — Dr. Richard Feynman

If the shoe fit's wear it!

 

[Dennis Mau]

That's laughable, but I'm hardly surprised. I've been part of several optics "makers" G&O programs for over 15 years, including Zeiss, Swaro, Leupold, and Meopta. Been a guide and outfitter (G&O) for over 20 years now. I forgot more on the subject than you'll ever know. In case you haven't noticed, many here have caught on to your shenanigans, not just me.

I have been hunting in the backwoods since I was knee high to a grasshopper. We laughed at "guides". They are for the rich city folk that don't know what they are doing or where they are. HaHa.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Take a look at the Zeiss SFL - https://www.campkinscameras.com/zeiss-sfl-8x40-binoculars/ - Absolutely far superior apart from the FOV

I will tell you a secret. I had the Zeiss SFL 8x42 at the same time as the Meopta Meostar B1 Plus 8x32 and if you put Leica Ultravid 10x42 eye cups which you can get from Leica for $6 on the Meostar it is just as good as the Zeiss, except for maybe 15 minutes before sundown, when the bigger aperture of the Zeiss brings in more light. In fact, the Meostar IMO has a bigger AFOV, and it is smaller and just as light for 1/2 the price. That is the reason the Zeiss SFL is in the classifieds. "Apart from the FOV" and the sharp edges which make all the difference in the world!

 

[Paultricounty]

I will tell you a secret. I had the Zeiss SFL 8x42 at the same time as the Meopta Meostar B1 Plus 8x32 and if you put Leica Ultravid 10x42 eye cups which you can get from Leica for $6 on the Meostar it is just as good as the Zeiss, except for maybe 15 minutes before sundown, when the bigger aperture of the Zeiss brings in more light. In fact, the Meostar IMO has a bigger AFOV, and it is smaller and just as light for 1/2 the price. That is the reason the Zeiss SFL is in the classifieds." Apart from the FOV" and the sharp edges which make all the difference in the world!

Are you talking about the Meostar’s you were trying to sell a few weeks ago? Are they going up for sale again (PM if they are 🤫) soon? Damn , I wish I had an office full of salespeople like you, very subtle and subliminal seed setting 🙏🏼

Paul

 

[GrampaTom]

Well, that was fun........

 

[Paultricounty]

Well, that was fun........

I thought so 😬

 

[Dennis Mau]

Are you talking about the Meostar’s you were trying to sell a few weeks ago? Are they going up for sale again (PM if they are 🤫) soon? Damn , I wish I had an office full of salespeople like you, very subtle and subliminal seed setting 🙏🏼

Paul

No, since I got the Leica Ultravid eye cups from Leica to fit over their small eyepieces, it completely transformed them. I am keeping them now. They are SFL killers.

 

[Troubador]

What kind of snake is that? Is it venomous? Those are excellent pictures.

It is a Viperine Water Snake Natrix maura but although it looks like a viper (and therefore venomous) it is not.
Lee

 

[Troubador]

No, since I got the Leica Ultravid eye cups from Leica to fit over their small eyepieces, it completely transformed them. I am keeping them now. They are SFL killers.

Don't you mean they are NL8x32 killers?

Lee

 

[jgraider]

I have been hunting in the backwoods since I was knee high to a grasshopper. We laughed at "guides". They are for the rich city folk that don't know what they are doing or where they are. HaHa.

IF you actually knew as much as you think, you would know that in some places/areas guides are required by law.

 

[Paultricounty]

No, since I got the Leica Ultravid eye cups from Leica to fit over their small eyepieces, it completely transformed them. I am keeping them now. They are SFL killers.

Please stop if you think I’m trying to nail jello to a tree again, but why would you want a meostar with a small FOV with smeary edges, because it has good eyecups now?