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Recent content by Brummie
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Nikon WX 10x50
True - to do it without any HM Customs risk, you'd need to extend your stay in Japan by 12 months (if you sign up as a temporary buddhist monk, your $3,000 in savings will probably still cover you), and then when you return to the UK, you can claim a transfer of residence exemption from import... -
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Nikon WX 10x50
Instead of spending GBP 5,500 for a used pair, I'd buy a ticket to Japan, have a long-weekend break in Tokyo and pick them up new for around $4,000. You should end up paying less, if you don't go crazy during your holiday. -
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NL 12x vs 14x
I had a similar experience with the 12x42. Justified getting it for long-range handheld viewing, but actually enjoy it most often for getting more detailed views of common backyard birds. Still hope to try the 14x52 at some point to see if it'll work for me handheld. -
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Initial user impressions of the NL x52’s
Thanks for this. I’m also very interested in whether your opinion on the hand-holdability of the 14x52 changes once the excitement of a new toy wears off. Personally, I’d never found anything more than 10x suitable for hand use until the 12x42 NL, but I feel it may be too much to hope that the... -
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First image of NL x52's!
Same here. The NL 12x42 is the only thing (so far) that works for me above 10x. I mean, sure, I can hand hold a SLC 15x56 and get a useable image, but it's not going to show me any more detail than a handheld 10x, so why bother? For pocket binoculars, that don't lock into my face, 8x is my... -
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First image of NL x52's!
In terms of form, the NL52s are what I'd hoped. Price is a bit better than anticipated. And if the view is in line with other NLs, then I'll be very tempted to pick one up down the road, when a good price presents. The heart says, "Wouldn't it great if the 14x52 was usable handheld, and not... -
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First image of NL x52's!
Thanks for the photos, which confirm that the NL52s are the same length as the EL50s, but narrower (i.e. the stats are right, and the rendering of the comparative sizes shown earlier is wrong). I'm not sure what you mean when you say the free aperture of the 14x52 is 51mm. Do you mean there's... -
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First image of NL x52's!
I think that rendering might be slightly off in terms of the relative sizes - or if it's right, then the numbers in the specs charts are off. According to the specs, the step up from the 42s to 52s is only 16mm in length (which would mean I was right on the money with my 2/3" guesstimate), only... -
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First image of NL x52's!
The EL50s are listed as 0.6" longer than the EL42s. So, if I'm right in my initial guesstimate of how much longer the NL52s are than the NL42s, then the differential is similar to the EL range. I think the narrow waist to the barrels makes them look long. -
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NL >=50 mm versions?
Is the NL 14x52 intended to replace the SLC 15x56 as the premium mounted big-eye binocular, or is the idea similar to the 12x42 - i.e. to push the boundary of what can be done with a handheld binocular through the improved ergonomics and headrest? I don't know. I'm sure some people will be able... -
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NL >=50 mm versions?
Once you're down the rabbit hole of wanting THE BEST set up, those questions are probably never going to leave you. -
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NL >=50 mm versions?
14x52?!? I love the NL 12x42 because it's the only 12x binocular I've found to be really usable handheld. I still think a 14x52 would be too much for me handheld, but it would be fun to try. The prices, if right, are welcome, but I guess that will still translate to US prices at the $4,000... -
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NL >=50 mm versions?
In my case, when I say I'd want to mount the 10x52, I don't mean all the time - I'd want them to perform both mounted and hand-held. I have a pair of SLC 15x56, which I enjoy owning because they're a lovely optical instrument, but I struggle to find practical reasons to carry them. They need to... -
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NL >=50 mm versions?
I haven't compared the EL 10x42 and 10x50, but apart from those two scenarios I mention, I wouldn't expect to see any appreciable difference. Even in terms of dusk use, my eyes don't see a lot of difference between comparable 40 and 50mm binoculars. It's only when trying to pick out faint...