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

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  1. J

    NIKON 7X50 IF SP prostar

    For terrestrial use I mainly hand hold them. They're somewhat heavy, but with their 7x power they're easy to hold steady. And for astronomical use I usually mount them both the take care of the weight problem and also because the view is improved because it is streadier. The 7x50 Prostar...
  2. J

    Carl Zeiss 15x60 West Germany

    A pair of the BGAT models in mint condition sold on eBay last year for $2595 US dollars. The BAGT models were only made for a few years (1999 - 2003?) and are hard to find and can be quite expensive. I think the earlier models are are a good alternative to them. Another good alternative is...
  3. J

    Buyer's remorse

    I've had a pair of the BGAT model for 7 years now and agree with John Dracon's remarks. Other porro prism classics I own are the 7x50 Nikon Prostars, 10x70 Nikon Astroluxes and the 22x60 Takahashi Astronomers and I can highly recommend everyone of them (but not for birding). My son will most...
  4. J

    swarovision EL

    This is the feature that I find most impressive (for terrestrial viewing, I'm not sure about star gazing yet where the sharpness to the edge of the field is very important) about the new ELs. I took my pair out again yesterday and did some more comparisons with my 7x42 Leica Ultravids and most...
  5. J

    swarovision EL

    We had some rare nice weather here today in the Pacific Northwest and it was the sun came out and stayed out most of the day in a very long time. So given the nice conditions I decided to take the new 8.5x42 Swarovision ELs out today and try them at some different scenic locations and also to...
  6. J

    swarovision EL

    Yes, I like them very much and I've already found a buyer for my original pair. No, I didn't notice the rolling ball effect when I used them yesterday and then I tried them again today for the purpose of looking specifically for it but I still did not notice anything unusual or feel any kind...
  7. J

    swarovision EL

    I got to try them outdoors today for about an hour. While they're a little shorter, narrower and lighter than the original ELs the differences in those categories are minor. Their thumb indents are a little smaller than those on the original ELs but they still work quite well. Their outer...
  8. J

    swarovision EL

    I received my pair today (Tuesday, 1/12). John Finnan
  9. J

    Swaro bino price hike as new EL appears

    That is the reason I took the plunge and ordered the new 8.5x42 Swarovision ELs at their $2339 price when they were first announced. I received a card from Swarovski saying that they should be shipped to me before the end of January. A year or so ago when it was rumored that the new ELs would...
  10. J

    Leica Ultravid 7x42 BL? Also favorite 7x42s?

    I tried pairs of both the 8x42 BL & BR Ultravids in a store. While it is true that the BL's have about a 10% weight advantage versus the BRs, I found the BR's to be more comfortable to hold in the hands and I would have picked that one over the BL if I had purchased one of those two. Later I...
  11. J

    Fair price for Zeiss 15x60 B/GA

    Fernando, if one is able to brace the elbows while holding them then yes they make a fantastic long distance/high quality binocular. However, for just hand holding them without some kind of support I find them so uncomfortable to use I don't even bother anymore. But since this particular...
  12. J

    Fair price for Zeiss 15x60 B/GA

    Fernado, I agree with you that a Nikon 15x60SE would be a nice binocular and I think they'd sell well among astronomers. I'm puzzled by you comment that the Zeiss 15x60s are a "high power-hand held". I've had a pair for 5 years now and have been very pleased with them. However, I mainly use...
  13. J

    Swarovski SLC 10x50 VS Leica Ultravid 10x50

    I had a chance to try those two side-by-side in a store recently. Both gave excellent views but 10x50 SL (new) was a little sharper out towards the edge of the field. Nevertheless, I preferred the 10x50 Ultravids because of their lighter weight and I also felt that they were ergonomically more...
  14. J

    8.5 X 42 El

    I've have a pair of 8.5x42 ELs for over 6 years now and I've never had any problem with them. Both optically and ergonomically they're great and I highly recommend them.
  15. J

    EL's split bridge Ergonomics

    I also agree on the ergonomics of the 8x32 ELs. However, I prefer the view I get with the 8.5x42 ELs to the 8x32s and the 8.5x42 ELs also have the same type of ergonomic design as the 8x32s they're just a little larger and weigh 7 ounces more. If you are able to it would be best to try them...
  16. J

    Leica 7x42 Ultravid v Leica 7x42 BN

    I agree wtih you that personal preference plays an important role in determining which model is "the best". I prefer the 32mm BA & BN models over the Ultravids because they fit more comfortably in my hands and they're still light enough to be very comfortable to hand hold. However, in the 42 &...
  17. J

    Choosing binoculars for low-light conditions, Trinovid 8x32 or 8x42?

    I tried a pair of 7x42 Ultravids in a store yesterday and was very impressed with them. They're not much larger (physically) than many 8x32s and they're lighter than most 42mm binoculars. The focuser on the pair I tried wasn't bad and they were a delight to hold in your hands and observe with...
  18. J

    Monocular and magnifying glass

    No, I meant binocular. Although I have not tried the Zeiss 8x20 minocular, I've never been satisfied with any of the ones I have tried including the Zeiss 3x12s and 6x18s. I find monoculars too small and shaky to hold steady and hence unpleasant to observe with. For those reasons I've...
  19. J

    Monocular and magnifying glass

    I've tried both the 3x12 & 6x18 and didn't like either of them. If you want a small binocular that it relatively easy to use and yields excellent images then I recommend that you get a high-end 8x20 model.
  20. J

    top 5 bins. every one please vote.

    I was the third person to vote on this thread 18 months ago. Since then I've tried a few other binoculars as a result of those experiences I'll modify my list. 1) Swarovski 8.5 x 42 EL -- Hand hold-able or mountable. Superb optics and ergonomics. All around the most versatile...
  21. J

    New 8.5 X 42 EL Owner :)

    Congradulations on the 8.5x42 ELs, you made a very good choice. I've had a pair since 2001 and I've been so satisified with them I haven't even been interested in trying out any of the other (and newer) high-end 8x42 models from Leica, Zeiss and Nikon. I currently have 6 pairs of binoculars...
  22. J

    Help! swaro 15x56 or leica 12x50?

    I have a pair of the Leica 12x50 Ultravids and a pair of 15x60 Zeiss B/GATs. If you plan to use these binoculars (i.e., the 12x50s or 15x56s) on a tripod or monopod, then I think the 15x56s would be the better choice. However, if you primarily plan to hand hold them then I'd go with the...
  23. J

    Great prices on Trinovids

    I tired ordering a pair of bincoculars through them once and it was an excercise in frustration. When I placed my order they said they were in stock. When the did not arrive after two weeks I called and was told they were on backorder but would be in soon. Another two weeks pass and no...
  24. J

    EL focuser modification

    So do I. John Finnan
  25. J

    Leica-older models versus ultravids.

    I prefer the 42mm and 50mm Ultravids to the Trinovids. However, I completely agree with you on the 32mm size. The Ultravids are too small for me to comfortably hand hold them whereas the 32mm Trinovids were great.
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