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Are Audubon 820EDs gone? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter BobinKy
- Start date
Well, Swift's website still shows both 820's, but that can take a while to change (as was the case w/Nikon & the SE's). But checking several online dealers (Christopher's & Optics4birding show both out of stock; Adorama, Birdwatching.com store, Binoculars.com & EO don't even list either anymore) so it may very well be the case. What a bite...I'll definitely hang on to my non-ED model, as it's view will match anything out there.
Steve C
Well-known member
I sure hope that is not the case. The first decent binocular I had was a Swift and I have had a Swift of some sort ever since, that time spans 40 years now.
I had a bit of a go round over whether a an 820 ED I purchased was an ED or not. Swift said it was ED, but the binocular never could convince me it was not in fact the non ED as was indicated by the color of the armor and the logo.
What I hope is that what this all means is that Swift itself is not about to be discontinued. However, when Allison Swift divested herself from the company after its sale a few years ago, the Swift I knew for a long time seemed to have gone away. The Audubon and Eaglet roof prisms are fine glass and frankly, along with the Audubon porro, deserve more attention than they get. I always wished they would have made an Audubon 8x32 porro.
I had a bit of a go round over whether a an 820 ED I purchased was an ED or not. Swift said it was ED, but the binocular never could convince me it was not in fact the non ED as was indicated by the color of the armor and the logo.
What I hope is that what this all means is that Swift itself is not about to be discontinued. However, when Allison Swift divested herself from the company after its sale a few years ago, the Swift I knew for a long time seemed to have gone away. The Audubon and Eaglet roof prisms are fine glass and frankly, along with the Audubon porro, deserve more attention than they get. I always wished they would have made an Audubon 8x32 porro.
Swift did have a neat little 8 x 32 Porro; the rubber armored 8 x 32 ZWCF 763 ULTRA LITE. It weighed 19.6 oz. and had a FOV of 436 feet. 15mm ER. IP adjustment 51-75mm. Rare Earth or BAK 4 prisms, 4 lens ocular system, FMC on all air to glass surfaces,and "a highly resolved flat field." (Stats from the Swift flyer with the Acorn Woodpecker on the cover.)
I remember mulling over whether I should buy one or a Nikon 8 x 30 EII. I decided to get the Nikon and I'm not sorry I did but if I had the extra money to spend at that time I would have purchased the Swift too. Their prices were about the same.
I believe you could also get it in a "Gift Package" with a fancy locking case included. The Swift logo button on the binocular was light blue in color. A very handsome little binocular.:t:
Maybe Elk Cub could give us more info on it?
Bob
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Steve C
Well-known member
Yes, the Ultralites were nice binoculars. Matter of fact they still are. I look on ebay time to time, but I haven't seen one. Usually I was after a waterproof binocular whenever I had one of the 8x32's more or less on my radar. I just never had the occasion to order one.
I'm beginning to get the idea that Bushnell, too, may soon drop its flagship Elite roofs (not the E2's). A few of the dealers I mentioned above aren't listing the 8x43 & 10x43 any more.....the Legend Ultra HD now seems to be touted as the new stalwart, just as Swift now appears to be pushing the Eaglet series as top of the line. I wonder if both companies have the decided that the "hardcore birder" market has shifted to the Alpha tier and a few others (i.e., Canon IS, Chinese price-beaters, maybe Kowa & Pentax, etc).
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
Pulling listings for the current Elites could also point to a new Elite being introduced.
There were mentions of an Elite HD at the SHOT show (mentioned on the Optics Talk thread and pointed to in the BF thread on the shot show). I've not seen any other details (or PR) on this new bin.
Swift unfortunately just don't seem to be serious in the bin market any more. Unfortunately a brand without any substance (compared to the Glorious Old Days™).
There were mentions of an Elite HD at the SHOT show (mentioned on the Optics Talk thread and pointed to in the BF thread on the shot show). I've not seen any other details (or PR) on this new bin.
Swift unfortunately just don't seem to be serious in the bin market any more. Unfortunately a brand without any substance (compared to the Glorious Old Days™).
Yes, there is a new Elite being introduced. Priced under $400, we have some specs but no image yet on our website here.
I'm told we will see them mid-late March. I didn't have time to look at them much during our SHOT meeting so I can't really give much in the way of an initial impression.
Ben
Ben Lizdas
Sales Manager
Eagle Optics
1-800-289-1132
I'm told we will see them mid-late March. I didn't have time to look at them much during our SHOT meeting so I can't really give much in the way of an initial impression.
Ben
Ben Lizdas
Sales Manager
Eagle Optics
1-800-289-1132
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
Thanks for that heads up, blizdas.
That's a heck of a price drop from the previous model. Perhaps the first example of product pricing realignment from an existing Big Maker to take account of the Chinese EDs.
I guess FOV is the most critical "failing" in these bins, IMHO. Did they bump it up from previous 7.1° in the 8x?
Bushnell Elite ED
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-elite-ed-8x42-binocular
$389!
Magnification 8x
Objective Lens Diameter 42 mm
Field of View 330 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief 19.5 mm
Close Focus 8 feet
Weight 25.7 ounces
Dimensions (HXW) TBD
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-elite-ed-10x42-binocular
$399
Magnification 10x
Objective Lens Diameter 42 mm
Field of View 314 feet
Eye Relief 15.5 mm
Close Focus 8 feet
Weight 26.1 ounces
Dimensions (HXW) TBD
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
And the answer is, err, unclear. For the 8x 330 feet @ 1000 yards is about 6.2°. So that isn't right (unless they're making a Monarch competitor -- I hope I'm wrong on that). The 10x could be 6.0°. But wider for both would be better.
I see the pages still need some editing:
Hopefully XTR (their name for the dielectric coating) but I suspect those specs aren't right.
It will be interesting to see what these look like.
Perhaps my Japanese Elite 8x43 roofs will now become collectible
That's a heck of a price drop from the previous model. Perhaps the first example of product pricing realignment from an existing Big Maker to take account of the Chinese EDs.
I guess FOV is the most critical "failing" in these bins, IMHO. Did they bump it up from previous 7.1° in the 8x?
Bushnell Elite ED
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-elite-ed-8x42-binocular
$389!
Magnification 8x
Objective Lens Diameter 42 mm
Field of View 330 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief 19.5 mm
Close Focus 8 feet
Weight 25.7 ounces
Dimensions (HXW) TBD
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-elite-ed-10x42-binocular
$399
Magnification 10x
Objective Lens Diameter 42 mm
Field of View 314 feet
Eye Relief 15.5 mm
Close Focus 8 feet
Weight 26.1 ounces
Dimensions (HXW) TBD
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
And the answer is, err, unclear. For the 8x 330 feet @ 1000 yards is about 6.2°. So that isn't right (unless they're making a Monarch competitor -- I hope I'm wrong on that). The 10x could be 6.0°. But wider for both would be better.
I see the pages still need some editing:
Hopefully XTR (their name for the dielectric coating) but I suspect those specs aren't right.
It will be interesting to see what these look like.
Perhaps my Japanese Elite 8x43 roofs will now become collectible
BobinKy
Well-known member
Without supplies of the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 (any version)--Swift most assuredly will be a brand without substance.
Bob
Kentucky, USA
Without supplies of the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 (any version)--Swift most assuredly will be a brand without substance.
Bob
Kentucky, USA
They will still have the HHS won't they? Although Eagle Optics shows them as out of stock.
Bob
elkcub
Silicon Valley, California
Swift Instruments went into bankruptcy a few years ago, and sold the binocular business. These are the current owners who should know about the 820 and 828HHS models.
http://www.swift-sportoptics.com/binoculars2.htm
http://www.swift-sportoptics.com/binoculars2.htm
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
elkcub
Silicon Valley, California
http://www.swift-sportoptics.com/contact.htm
Notice any similarity in the addresses? The owners gave their newly acquired optics division a name similar to Swift Instruments, i.e., Swift Sport Optics. So far they've maintained the legacy and not lowered quality.
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