Being a keen collector of Porro binoculars I am thinking of buying a pair of Swarovski Habicht 8x30W Binoculars for my birthday.
What is the performance of this model compared with other models in the range?
Has anyone got a pair?
Hello!
I do not yet have a pair, but I am definitely going to get one later this summer.
A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to test the 10x40 version against a 10x32 EL and an 8x32 Ultravid.
If we, what can safely be done, I suppose, assume that the 8x30 is very similar to the 10x in terms of performance, the Habichts are truly outstanding instruments.
The eyecups of the current version are not stiff or hard at all but very, very comfortable indeed. Significantly better than any of the screw-out eyecups on any of the roof prism models I have handed. The rubber is stiff enough to give good support, yet soft enough to be very pleasing to the eye sockets. Long time watching is a pleasure, I guess.
Optically the image of the 10x40 Habicht was virtually indistinguishable from the Ultravid. The field of view of the 10x EL was slightly wider but not in any way sharper, more contrasty or superior in other respects (not during daytime testing late in the morning anyway9.
In terms of handling, the Habicht was outperforming all others, of course. Signore Porro knew what ergonomics meant long before the first primitive roof prism binoculars had been built!
The only competitor with respect to handling was the Swarovski EL at 3 times the price and a reduced spaciality of the image (the "roof prism disease").
The focussing mechanism on the Habicht was excellent. Somewhat stiffer than on the EL, yes, but not worse than on the Ultravid. The eyepiece bridge is moved, and due to the sealing (watertightness) there is some resistance; but it is very, very precise (!), without any play, notchiness or any other awkward aspect to it.
The body of the Habichts is covered with a rather thick layer of very grippy genuine (?) leather that feels like a pair of hand-crafted gloves for "going to the races".
The only complaints one could possibly have it that Swarovski have not yet introduced their EasyClean technology to these models,
and that they have given up supplying the classical hard cases (fortunately these can be had from "internet sources" for a bargain price).
Overall I can#t see why I should spend 2-3 times the money on an Ultraexpensivid or any other Roof Prism instrument with their cyclopically close-set barrels as long as there are Habichts "in the air".
Two of these, maybe, instead of one "fiddler on the roof" with all the fancy coatings to make them work?
A Porrist* by heart,
Tom
*who needs more than the Real Thing?