820 Swift Audubon�
Designed based on specifications gleaned from a Swift survey of the world’s leading ornithologists, the Swift Audubon binoculars have become famous worldwide for superior performance and dependability. The 820 Swift Audubon has been rated “best buy” by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Better View Desired, and the English publication, British Birds. They are equipped with a 5-lens ocular system, BaK4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics and pop and lock eyecups adding comfort for eyeglass wearers. The Swift Audubon produces crisp, high definition images to the outer edges of the wide field and close focuses to under 10 ft. The rubber-coated body is made of magnesium to reduce weight and is sealed to make the binoculars waterproof. Padded hard case and comfortable broad woven neck strap included. Content and images originally posted by ikw101
Reviews
ikw101's review
After an unfortunate accident with a pair of Swift Ultralites 10x50 back in April 06 I decided it was time to upgrade. (In case you're wondering it involved a concrete car park). Faced with the number of different models available the choice was overwhelming. Whilst the roof prisms appear to be increasingly fashionable after testing many models out at Leighton Moss earlier in Feb 06 I realized that my days as a trendsetter were over. Apart from the top of the range Swarovskii and Leica's in general I wasn't impressed with the performance of the roof prisms. The performance of many of the mid price models was actually bordering on being appalling. Therefore after the Ultralites failed the bouncebackability test I decided to stick with the porro prism design. In general my experience of Optics is fairly limited models owned include 1980's East German Zeiss, a truly appalling Chinon 8 x 42 and the Swift Ultralites. As far as Scopes are concerned the only one I've owned is the 65mm Leica APO Televid which I'd rate as being excellent but not quite outstanding.
The choice of good quality porro prisms available is surprisingly limited. After a bit of research I'd narrowed it down to the Nikon SE or the Swift Audubons. Unfortunately I couldn't find a local dealer who stocked both so based upon my generally good experience with the Ultralites and the ED glass used on the latest Audubons I went for the Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44. I've now been using the Audubons for approximately 10 weeks and I'm extremely impressed. In most field situations due to their astonishing clarity and brightness they comfortably outperform any other optics I've ever experienced including the Leica scope. The field of view and depth of field is excellent and enables rapid recognition of birds in flight especially the little brown jobs that appear from nowhere and are gone before you have chance to focus. Fine focusing brings about superb centrefield resolution and whilst other reviews have mentioned about this dropping off towards the edges with such a wide field of view being available I've yet to notice it. Their only slight drawback is their sheer size and weight especially in comparison to the Ultralites.
Over the course of Winter 2005/6 I enjoyed several visits up to Parkgate at dusk watching the Hen Harriers coming in to roost. Based upon the time the failing light led other birdwatchers to give up and call it a day the Ultralites performed extremely well and enabled low flying Harriers, Merlin and Short eared Owls to be picked out over the marshland at a considerable distance. After 10 weeks in every situation the Audubons have comfortably outperformed the Ultralites and the difference the ED glass makes is astonishing. Whilst they don't carry the same kudos as the Swarovskii, Leica or Zeiss roof prisms if you're comfortable with the Audubons size and weight in most situations they will match the performance of the top roof prisms and in failing light more than likely outperform the non ED models.
Whilst porro prisms aren't for everybody if you're seriously thinking about upgrading or replacing your binoculars go for a pair with ED glass. Unless your main interest is watching stationary birds the extra clarity, brightness and superb colour rendition of ED glass is far more useful than the ability to resolve the finest detail. I have no absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending the Audubons. As for the bouncebackability test I'll leave that for somebody else.
Pros
- Superb brightness and clarity. ED glass.
Cons
- Weight and bulk.
Unregistered's review
I'd love to find comparable optics with easy to adjust eye cups and a diopter adjustment that doesn't change unless you really crank on it hard.
Pros
- Great Optics
- Brightness and field of view
Cons
- Diaopter adjustment moves too easily and eye cups are atrocious
