I am considering splurging on some top end birding binoculars. To me these seem to be:
Swaro 8.5x42 SL
Swaro 8x32 SL
Zeiss 8x42 FL
Leica 8x42 Noctovid
I currently have the Zeiss 8x32 Conquest HDs, which I think are amazing for the $$, but not quite at the level of the four above. I also have the Nikon 8x32SEs, which have a special place in my heart (they were a wedding present from my uncle, and I am just a Nikon person in general, using their DSLRs etc.). The Nikons are great in certain expansive situations, I love them on the dashboard in big open country, but their resolution and detail is not as good as the Conquests, or the options above.
I have looked through all of the four above. The first three I was able to look at outside for about a half hour, looking at a backlit Merlin and other things outside. I also was able to see the Swaro 8x32 at B and H in NYC and was a impressed by how much it popped, even in the windowless interior. I saw the Noctovid separately in a camera shop indoors, and actually was really impressed - it has a very special feel. Overall, here are my impressions:
The Swarovski 8.5x42 was my least favorite - bumping to 8.5 I think was a mistake - narrowing the field of view and reducing the pop a bit. I think the Swaro 8x32s are pretty incredible - a lightweight, gorgeously made package that is easy to grab, stuff in a pocket. Terrific pop, maybe best of all of them. And maybe the nicest build quality.
The Zeiss though are very special - more light gathering, and looking at the Merlin I could see the most detail of all. Also, there really is something to the balance of these - I swore they were the same weight as the Swaro 8x32 until we weighed them - they just feel very light for their size. Plus I'm a bit of a Zeiss guy too.
Looking at the Leicas was an afterthought - but so glad I looked. For all the folks saying the Noctovids are just some frufru lux product, come on, don't be so jaded. Those are great binoculars. Incredible clear view edge to edge. Lovely and solid. Actually, I love the steady substantial weight, even though these are the heaviest of the group. For me what is impressive is the HD like pop - like the Swaro 8x32s but maybe even better. However, I didn't see these alongside the others.
I will be looking at all of them again. My eyes were a bit tired on the first look.
I would really like to get thoughts about this - I was looking for a thread on "the best" but they are all buried on all the brand subforums. I would like to hear opinions that don't just slam some of these glasses - they're all clearly great...anyone out there with experience with all/most in the field? It may just be, like so many say here, at the end of the day what seems to work best for me. That said, I'd like to hear impressions.
Hi, b-lilja,
Glancing through this thread, I see you have been addressed by some very knowledgeable observers. Although their opinions are of value, they are particular to themselves OR a limited number of observers. While all could lead you to a fantastic binocular, I feel you need—for future reference—the unvarnished, politically incorrect truth.
There is no “best of the best” binocular, nor can there be until:
— Each person has the same number of rods and cones.
— Each rod and cone has the same sensitivity for the same wavelengths.
— Each person’s synaptic gap is of the same length and their synaptic cleft is of the same sensitivity.
— Each person’s brain processes received impulses with the same temporal resolution.
— Each person perceives all optical aberrations (chromatic aberration, astigmatism, field curvature, etc.) to exactly the same extent.
— Each person has eyes sharing the same dioptric scale (only 2- 3% do) and that scale is the same for every observer on the planet.
— Each person has the same IPD.
— Each person has the same opinion of weight and ergonomics.
And the list above could go on for hours.
In addition, should that bino be created, you may rest assured it would be replaced with something different within a few months because of financial considerations or a new—over the top—ad campaign. Physics always trumps opinion. However, it is opinion that make cash registers ring—reality based or not.
You have been given some GREAT advice. The OTHER Bill said it best: “You can't go wrong with any of those binoculars.” Buy SOMETHING, use it, and be happy until YOU see a reason to change! Some would say “upgrade.” However, while differences in weight, ergonomics, and IPD are very real considerations, people talk too frequently about “upgrading” to a binocular that is only optically better in computer printouts compared to clinical, physiological realities of the “average”—whatever that means—observer.
I have spoken to a large number of birds who have endorsed my “stacking BBs” analogy. There was one bird, however, who said he didn’t get it. He lived on an island east of Madagascar and seemed to have a limited IQ, as shown by his misplaced affinity for mankind. :cat:
Cheers,
Bill