marcsantacurz
Well-known member
Similar to SeldomPerched (https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=362856), I just got a pair of the Dialyt 7x42B T*P, though mine are not T*P* like his. They are an older vintage (serial 657013). I had them out in the field from a bit before sunset to dark twilight, comparing to my Swaro 8.5x42 EL FPro. I've also recently tried the Opticron Discovery 7x42 (which is much less costly). My main interest in something like these (versus the ELs) is to scan open fields, especially in low light, for photography opportunities.
My first impression during the day is the view is top-notch. It reminded me of my Zeiss 10x42 HTs (which are in service still, so no direct comparison) in feel and viewing. The image circle is clean, objects stand out, and the apparent FoV is good giving a nice immersive feel. Everything was clean and sharp and had a bit of that "wow" factor, which the Opticron Discovery lacks.
Comparing more directly to the 8.5x42 EL Fpro, during the day I could not detect much difference. I think the ELs have a bit more contrast or saturation or vibrance -- not sure exactly what, but I was more aware of colors with them. I did not do side-by-side sharpness comparison on something close, but for more distant objects, I did not notice any striking difference. I checked out a Sharpie on a post with both (taking a few steps closer for the 7x, the bird was only 50 ft away), and the details looked similar with the bins hand-held. When I used them for some distant off-shore birds (gulls and egrets), I found the ELs better -- things seemed a bit more stable and clear, but that could be the 8.5x vs 7x.
Similar to comments in the above-mentioned thread, I did find the focuser a little difficult. It is only single-finger width and moves more deliberately than the ELs. I could switch between focus distances more quickly with the ELs and I think with more accuracy (though with practice I might become better with the Dialyts).
One thing I was not expecting, as it got colder I noticed the Dialyt hard rubber armor transmitted the cold to my fingers a fair bit more than the EL's armor! It was not awful, just unexpected.
In twilight, when the barn owls came out, I found it easier to track them with the 7x42 Dialyts than the 8.5x42 ELs. The wider FoV helped with their erratic flight.
In deep twilight I began to notice differences in clarity. It began to be difficult to get focus detail on the Dialyt, whereas the ELs I could still get sharp views. I am not sure if this is a difference in the binoculars or if my 52yo eyes benefited more from higher transmission brightness than from larger exit pupils.
Next weekend, I'll see how Sharon likes them compared to the Opticron Discovery 7x42s.
Marc
My first impression during the day is the view is top-notch. It reminded me of my Zeiss 10x42 HTs (which are in service still, so no direct comparison) in feel and viewing. The image circle is clean, objects stand out, and the apparent FoV is good giving a nice immersive feel. Everything was clean and sharp and had a bit of that "wow" factor, which the Opticron Discovery lacks.
Comparing more directly to the 8.5x42 EL Fpro, during the day I could not detect much difference. I think the ELs have a bit more contrast or saturation or vibrance -- not sure exactly what, but I was more aware of colors with them. I did not do side-by-side sharpness comparison on something close, but for more distant objects, I did not notice any striking difference. I checked out a Sharpie on a post with both (taking a few steps closer for the 7x, the bird was only 50 ft away), and the details looked similar with the bins hand-held. When I used them for some distant off-shore birds (gulls and egrets), I found the ELs better -- things seemed a bit more stable and clear, but that could be the 8.5x vs 7x.
Similar to comments in the above-mentioned thread, I did find the focuser a little difficult. It is only single-finger width and moves more deliberately than the ELs. I could switch between focus distances more quickly with the ELs and I think with more accuracy (though with practice I might become better with the Dialyts).
One thing I was not expecting, as it got colder I noticed the Dialyt hard rubber armor transmitted the cold to my fingers a fair bit more than the EL's armor! It was not awful, just unexpected.
In twilight, when the barn owls came out, I found it easier to track them with the 7x42 Dialyts than the 8.5x42 ELs. The wider FoV helped with their erratic flight.
In deep twilight I began to notice differences in clarity. It began to be difficult to get focus detail on the Dialyt, whereas the ELs I could still get sharp views. I am not sure if this is a difference in the binoculars or if my 52yo eyes benefited more from higher transmission brightness than from larger exit pupils.
Next weekend, I'll see how Sharon likes them compared to the Opticron Discovery 7x42s.
Marc