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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by MandoBear

  1. MandoBear

    Sand in Swarovski NL Pure 8x32

    A small blob of blu-tak on the end of a cocktail stick can also be used to very carefully lift away grains of sand from difficult spots - but avoid the lenses.
  2. MandoBear

    If the price of an EL SV seems too good to be true?

    They look suspiciously like some "Visionking" binoculars I picked up on eBay some years ago for about £17 - out of curiosity: "How bad can they be..?" Answer: really rather bad. They didn't have any dioptre compensation. The view was decently sharp in the centre, but massive field curvature -...
  3. MandoBear

    New Swarovski CL version on Swarovskis homepage

    It seems like a high premium to pay just to avoid Swarocrumble (TM) armour on your Swarovski binoculars.
  4. MandoBear

    For the blingy birder

    Just perfect for being seen with at Royal Ascot. Actually, I do rather admire the craftsmanship on these, even though I feel it is a little out of place.
  5. MandoBear

    Swarovski sustainability survey

    I recently received an email from Swarovski asking for my opinions on their sustainability strategy. I was happy to give them answers to their questions, and htere was also a free text area for entering other relevant comments. I took the time to express concerns about the durability of their...
  6. MandoBear

    Monarch M7+ 8x30

    Interested to understand how these fit in between the new M7 and the Monarch HG. Nikon's mid-range is getting rather crowded, but nothing at the top end?
  7. MandoBear

    Question regarding focus issues with the Conquest HD 8x32

    It always strikes me that the Conquest HD is very much a tool binocular - very rugged construction, great optics, but perhaps not the most refined user interface. The eyecups are an example of this: they get the job done, even if their adjustment is a little bit clunky. I set mine when I got my...
  8. MandoBear

    Zeiss - Try it for 48hours

    I used it in May. Very slick and easy process. Expensive for me, though - I ended up buying a Victory Pocket 8x25. 😁
  9. MandoBear

    Review: Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x32

    Nice write-up, Lee. The trouble is, the wonderful way you write, and the interesting places you visit, make using almost any kind of binoculars seem really exciting... 😁😁 However, these Veranos do sound rather excellent for the money. Just as well I'm really not in the market at the moment...
  10. MandoBear

    New here, happened upon the conquest HD 8x32.

    I think the thing with the Conquest HDs is that although they give wonderful views, they don't feel quite "premium" in the hand. Tough, rugged, efficient... yes, but not quite as refined as top-level alphas. If you want that bit of extra refinement you have to pay rather more for it.
  11. MandoBear

    Oh crap, the diopter knob is gone

    I'm pleased that this has been resolved satisfactorily for you Edmund, but it doesn't seem to reflect particularly well on Zeiss. Let's hope that your replacement pair give you long and excellent performance.
  12. MandoBear

    Why I like a refined Nikon EII 8x30 porro binoculars?

    Just don't tell Lee about this thread... He once compared holding a Porro binocular to shaking hands with an alien. 😂😂 Have to agree, though - I love my E-II.
  13. MandoBear

    Review of 8x25 Victory Pocket

    The Opticron 25mm objective covers fit well - in fact all of them S, M, and L fit to a degree. The S size 31041 are a bit tight for my tastes, and for my purposes, I found the L size gave the best fit - secure enough, but easy to pop open at a moment's notice. The L size 31027 (to fit 34mm...
  14. MandoBear

    Binocular Sightings

    For many years, one of the many incarnations of the Pentax 8x40 wide field was my only binocular, and it served me very well indeed - fabulously sharp in the centre of view, but less so at the edges. I sold it to "upgrade" to a roof prism binocular, and gradually regretted the sale. After some...
  15. MandoBear

    Nikon Prostaff 7S (10x42) vs Kowa SV or SVII

    Nothing at all against Kowa, but I would think that at the level of the Kowa SV or SVII, they are just as much "mass produced" as the ProStaff. As always, if you can try before you buy, you're more likely to make a satisfactory purchase.
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