John M Robinson
Well-known member
Hello all,
I haven't posted much in recent years because, believe it or not, I quit obsessing about minutia and just started using my binos.
I joined back in 2009 when my old Leitz Trinovids died and I was ready for an upgrade. This site was an eye opener (forgive the pun), I learned more about how binoculars were designed and constructed, strengths and weaknesses of the highest of high, forum members likes and dislikes and much-much more. I believe a year of reading, posting questions and listening to answers on this forum is equivalent to a university degree. I learned so much from this site over several years, that most bino salesmen seemed dumb by comparison.
Based on what I learned here, combined with lots of testing at various stores and my limited budget, I bought, sold, traded and borrowed a number of high end binos including Zeiss 8x32 FLs, Swarovski 8.5x42 ELs, 10x42 CLS, Leica Trinovid 8x32 BNs, Ultravids of all sizes, Pentax DCF and Nikon SE's 8x32 and 10x42. I discovered a few salient facts regarding myself; 1) All of these optics are very-very good. 2) Everybody's different. Some people complain about blackouts with the Nikon SE's, not an issue for me, very easy view actually. On the other hand, though I love the view and contrast of all the Leica products, I get blackouts with all their 32mm size bins. I see CA in high contrast situations, but can null it out by centering my bins, so it really doesn't bother me. 3) There is no perfect binocular, everything's a compromise, you just have to figure out what's important and what minor flaw you can accept for the greater good.
Anyway, after several years I found myself obsessing over this site more than actually using my bins in the field, and when I did use them I'd focus more on the tiny faults than the wonderful view. Finally one day I just started using them and realized they work pretty damn good. I currently own seven pair of nice binoculars, but I really only use two; my 8x32 SE's and if it's raining, my 8x42 Ultravid BR's. I just started reading this forum again as I'm very interested in the proposed retro Trinovid 7x35. It might not be waterproof, and not quite as good optically as the latest EL or Noctovid, but I love that small package, and if the view is half as good as the best, I would use them and love them. I hope they do release them, otherwise I'm still pretty well set.
I haven't posted much in recent years because, believe it or not, I quit obsessing about minutia and just started using my binos.
I joined back in 2009 when my old Leitz Trinovids died and I was ready for an upgrade. This site was an eye opener (forgive the pun), I learned more about how binoculars were designed and constructed, strengths and weaknesses of the highest of high, forum members likes and dislikes and much-much more. I believe a year of reading, posting questions and listening to answers on this forum is equivalent to a university degree. I learned so much from this site over several years, that most bino salesmen seemed dumb by comparison.
Based on what I learned here, combined with lots of testing at various stores and my limited budget, I bought, sold, traded and borrowed a number of high end binos including Zeiss 8x32 FLs, Swarovski 8.5x42 ELs, 10x42 CLS, Leica Trinovid 8x32 BNs, Ultravids of all sizes, Pentax DCF and Nikon SE's 8x32 and 10x42. I discovered a few salient facts regarding myself; 1) All of these optics are very-very good. 2) Everybody's different. Some people complain about blackouts with the Nikon SE's, not an issue for me, very easy view actually. On the other hand, though I love the view and contrast of all the Leica products, I get blackouts with all their 32mm size bins. I see CA in high contrast situations, but can null it out by centering my bins, so it really doesn't bother me. 3) There is no perfect binocular, everything's a compromise, you just have to figure out what's important and what minor flaw you can accept for the greater good.
Anyway, after several years I found myself obsessing over this site more than actually using my bins in the field, and when I did use them I'd focus more on the tiny faults than the wonderful view. Finally one day I just started using them and realized they work pretty damn good. I currently own seven pair of nice binoculars, but I really only use two; my 8x32 SE's and if it's raining, my 8x42 Ultravid BR's. I just started reading this forum again as I'm very interested in the proposed retro Trinovid 7x35. It might not be waterproof, and not quite as good optically as the latest EL or Noctovid, but I love that small package, and if the view is half as good as the best, I would use them and love them. I hope they do release them, otherwise I'm still pretty well set.