8x32 SE? (1 Viewer)

[Pinewood]

Frank,that's what I did.Could hardly go wrong at that price.

Hello Ardy,

I have owned both the 8x32 SE and the the Zeiss FL 8x32 non-Lotutec. Although some may find the SE marginally superior in brightness and edge sharpness, I found the FL far friendlier to use. Its larger FOV, compactness. ruggedness and waterproofing suited me far more than the SE. I will also write that this is a personal choice and in no way is meant to be prescriptive.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

 

[brocknroller]

Hello Ardy,

I have owned both the 8x32 SE and the the Zeiss FL 8x32 non-Lotutec. Although some may find the SE marginally superior in brightness and edge sharpness, I found the FL far friendlier to use. Its larger FOV, compactness. ruggedness and waterproofing suited me far more than the SE. I will also write that this is a personal choice and in no way is meant to be prescriptive.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

Dear Dr. Pinewood,

I was happy to read there is finally a more affordable treatment for opticus addictus.

Thank you for that Rx, I'm hoping the public option will cover at least 80 percent.

Brock

 

[Ardy]

Hello Ardy,

I have owned both the 8x32 SE and the the Zeiss FL 8x32 non-Lotutec. Although some may find the SE marginally superior in brightness and edge sharpness, I found the FL far friendlier to use. Its larger FOV, compactness. ruggedness and waterproofing suited me far more than the SE. I will also write that this is a personal choice and in no way is meant to be prescriptive.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

Arthur,I appreciate your candor in describing your preferences.I do not have the "blackout" problem,and will probably keep these as a summer glass.Oregon has quite wet winters,and I'm hoping these (Zeiss)will fit the winter bill without too much of a letdown from the SE's.I realize I'm not going to get an all weather glass at the same price as the SE's.Not if I want comparable optics anyway.I can tell you about high end Hi Fi,or computer components,but this high end optic learning process is a whole new ball of wax.Thanks your insight,and everyone that has steered me in the right direction.

 

[jimtrader11]

Ardy, Just my 2 cents but my own experience with going from 8x to 10x (both SE) was that in a relatively short time my steadyness with the 10x increased to where they became a favorite glass - I'm 66. I guess my brain was learning better how to control them- and it wasnt a conscious effort. This took less than a week of perhaps an hour a day of use. So dont give up on 10x without giving yourself time to learn to hold them steadier.

Jim

 

[John Dracon]

Arthur - I have both the Nikon and Zeiss 8x32, although the Zeiss has the Lotutec. Both, as we know, are outstanding binoculars. You mention "ruggedness" in describing the Zeiss. There are reports of users falling on their Zeiss roofs and having them break apart. My understanding of the FL construction is that it is of a composite nature with some kind of polimer (sp) surrounding the metal framed prisms. It does not have the strength of all metal frames. Zeiss engineers in the quest for making things lighter and non corrosive have turned to composite materials in constructing their binoculars. Ruggedness has been sacrificed to some degree, from what I can see. Also, the Nikon SE has the inherent advantage of lending itself to objective lens protection, in practical use, by rotating lens covers inward, completely out of the way when viewing. The Zeiss tethered covers hang there and are a nuisance. The Zeiss Safari has the one piece cover for both the objective and oculars, which I wished my FLs came with. Because I have extra large hands which simply engulf the FLs. they are harder for me to hold. Having said that, the Zeiss 8x32 FL is a great binocular, and the Lotutec coating no mere gimmick. John

 

[brocknroller]

Arthur - I have both the Nikon and Zeiss 8x32, although the Zeiss has the Lotutec. Both, as we know, are outstanding binoculars. You mention "ruggedness" in describing the Zeiss. There are reports of users falling on their Zeiss roofs and having them break apart. My understanding of the FL construction is that it is of a composite nature with some kind of polimer (sp) surrounding the metal framed prisms. It does not have the strength of all metal frames. Zeiss engineers in the quest for making things lighter and non corrosive have turned to composite materials in constructing their binoculars. Ruggedness has been sacrificed to some degree, from what I can see. Also, the Nikon SE has the inherent advantage of lending itself to objective lens protection, in practical use, by rotating lens covers inward, completely out of the way when viewing. The Zeiss tethered covers hang there and are a nuisance. The Zeiss Safari has the one piece cover for both the objective and oculars, which I wished my FLs came with. Because I have extra large hands which simply engulf the FLs. they are harder for me to hold. Having said that, the Zeiss 8x32 FL is a great binocular, and the Lotutec coating no mere gimmick. John

Dear Dr. John, the Bin Tripper,

You convinced me to hold off on filling Dr. Pinewood's Rx now that I have a second professional opinion.

I have a size 13 foot and weigh 215 lbs. A 4.6 x 4.6 inch bin would be easy to lose in the grass, particularly since our gardener is often tardy in cutting the grass (just ask Steve), and from what you've said, my 215 lb. weight would make mince meat of the little (but expensive) FLs if they ever fell into the tall grass and got stomped on.

OTOH, I once left a friend's 10x42 SE outside in front on a table while I went in for a quick potty break (ask Steve again). When I came back out, apparently a gust of wind had knocked over the table, causing the SEs to fall into the grass just as my gardener went past with his Brush Beast 36 In. 22 HP 653 CC Subaru V-Twin Engine with Electric Start Walk Behind Brush Mower, and the mower blades threw the bin 20 yards away.

When I found it and picked it up, there was nary a scratch on it, and it was still in collimation! Just some grass stains that easily washed off.

Based on this incredible experience, and your expert testimony, I'm going to reconsider getting an 8x32 FL and buy an 8x32 SEs instead.

It may not be waterproof, and the focuser may be slower than molasses in January (especially when using the bins in January), but the SE can take a lickin' and still keep on tickin'.

Forget about the wet bin in the freezer over night test. Let's throw the 8x32 FL and 8x32 SE into the grass and then ask my gardener to mow the lawn with his Brush Beast 36 In. 22 HP 653 CC Subaru V-Twin Engine with Electric Start Walk Behind Brush Mower and see which bin's still left in one piece after the grass has been mowed!

Thanks for that advice. I will put the leftover money I was saving for a LotuTec 8x32 FL into a safer investment, maybe mortgage backed securities.

LouBrocktec

 

[Pinewood]

Dear Dr. Pinewood,

I was happy to read there is finally a more affordable treatment for opticus addictus.

Thank you for that Rx, I'm hoping the public option will cover at least 80 percent.

Brock

Brock,

It worked for me. I bought one Zeiss FL in 2006, another in 2007 but I had a relapse, only last month, when I bought a Zen-Ray 7x36. Clearly, I am not cured of opticus addictus, but it seems to be under control.
I guess that my Zeiss FL is more shock resistant than many Porro binoculars. The roof design is considered more resistant to knocks and shocks, which my binoculars do suffer. However, I am not going to leave my FL in your garden, as I do not want to test the strength of its composite construction.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :scribe:

 

[Jonathan B.]

I have a size 13 foot and weigh 215 lbs.

Aren't you the guy in the "It's so easy even a Caveman can do it" commercials?

 

[brocknroller]

Aren't you the guy in the "It's so easy even a Caveman can do it" commercials?

If you saw the Star Trek: TNG episode titled "The Chase," you will recall that Captain Picard received an unexpected visit from Richard Galen, an old professor of his from Starfleet Academy.

Galen gives the Picard a rare archaeological gift and encourages him to take a leave of absence from Starfleet to go on an expedition of vast importance to the galaxy.

The Klingons, Cardassians, and Romulans also discover pieces of the puzzle, which turn out to be parts of a DNA strand.

At the end of program, a holographic image of an ancient humanoid appears on the planet where the last piece of DNA puzzle is found.

The humanoid explains that humans, Romulans (and by extension, Vulcans), Klingons, and Cardassians all share a common ancestor, because the ancient humanoids seeded various "M Class" planets with their genetic material as they traveled the galaxy billions of years ago.

Therefore, Klingons are related to human "cavemen," just as you are, but it's something we prefer not to talk about.

--------------------
B'rock, son of Grilka
Member of the House of Kozak
Klingon Poet-Warrior

 

[Jonathan B.]

Therefore, Klingons are related to human "cavemen," just as you are, but it's something we prefer not to talk about.

Well I have to wonder if Klingons ever do any birding, or if they just drive lawnmowers over binoculars. If they actually use binoculars, then it seems their weird foreheads and brows must get in the way. I think that for you and Worf, the shape of a revised SE is going to be far more important than any coatings, twist-up eyecups, or waterproofing.

 

[ceasar]

If you saw the Star Trek: TNG episode titled "The Chase," you will recall ...................................................................................................................

Therefore, Klingons are related to human "cavemen," just as you are, but it's something we prefer not to talk about.

--------------------
B'rock, son of Grilka
Member of the House of Kozak
Klingon Poet-Warrior

I can understand your reluctance. As you well know, Human dominance originated in the valley of the Neander with its natives. Then came, of course, an appropriate interlude devoted to the sharing of their dominant gene pool with the Cro-Mags. This continued dominance is chronicled in the journals of the Star Ship Enterprise in it's unspoken quest to re-seed and replenish the weakened gene pools of long forgotten and in bred cultures.

Bob

 

[brocknroller]

Well I have to wonder if Klingons ever do any birding, or if they just drive lawnmowers over binoculars. If they actually use binoculars, then it seems their weird foreheads and brows must get in the way. I think that for you and Worf, the shape of a revised SE is going to be far more important than any coatings, twist-up eyecups, or waterproofing.

For the record, it was a human neighbor that drove over the Nikons, not a Klingon.

Klingons do watch birds with bins, but mainly to spot them in the hunt, as would be evident if you knew about our culture or watched Star Trek's fictionalized account of it (e.g., Klingon "Bird of Prey").

I must point out, Mr. B., that in the first "Star Trek" series, the writers did not realistically portray our anatomy or our culture.

It was only after the Klingon Empire joined the Federation that Klingons were called in from Qo'noS as consultants, because ST: TNG was aimed at an adult audience, and the executive producer, Eugene Wesley Roddenberry, wanted a more realistic portrayal of Klingons and their culture.

However, this point would be moot if you never saw the original "Star Trek," which would cause me to wonder if you have cable television in your country of New Mexico.

The ridges can actually add stability in observing with binoculars. Many Klingons use bins with a tripod adapter mounted upside down and facing backward so they can lock the protruding end into their ridges.

If the fit is tight enough, a Klingon is capable of observing birds and other wildlife without actually holding the bins, freeing their hands to use D'k'tahgs. A feat of which no human is capable!

Recommended reading:
http://academy.sfi.org/courses/alien/doc/kwamanual.pdf

B'rock

 

[Jonathan B.]

I must point out, Mr. B., that in the first "Star Trek" series, the writers did not realistically portray our anatomy or our culture.

WRITERS?? I thought it was all real.

 

[brocknroller]

I can understand your reluctance. As you well know, Human dominance originated in the valley of the Neander with its natives. Then came, of course, an appropriate interlude devoted to the sharing of their dominant gene pool with the Cro-Mags. This continued dominance is chronicled in the journals of the Star Ship Enterprise in it's unspoken quest to re-seed and replenish the weakened gene pools of long forgotten and in bred cultures.

Bob

Dear Bob Ceasar (seems too informal a salutation for an emperor - I can't imagine Julius Ceaser's Roman forum members addressing him as "Jules"

When I was teaching a course in space colonization with an astronomer, he formulated a theory that Cro-Magnons had killed off the entire race of Neanderthals, and thus reigned supreme:

http://psom.blogspot.com/2006/09/tenacious-neanderthals.html

Lest Jonathan, The Skeptic, disbelieve that I actually taught such a course (started as an assistant instructor and later became instructor of the course after Prof. Churchill left), I include this link to our first Website, which is surprisingly still up:

http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/cwc/Teaching/SpaceCol/sts497i-02/

I was adopted by a Ukrainian family on Earth after my father, Kozak, was killed in an "accident" in Quark's bar.

You may have noted skull structure similarities between the Klingons and the Cro-Mags on Star Trek: Enterprise.

The fact is, there are many aliens on Earth, some in high places, though most have been surgically alerted to appear human:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ptzqDrL2RGk/ShFkf2bIWOI/AAAAAAAAAfo/xdKKV2qx3hk/s320/get-attachment.aspx.jpeg

 

[Sancho]

You´re going to laugh when I tell you what I´ve done with Nikon top-end porros. Some years back, I bought EII 10x35 and loved them. Then I bought EII 8x30. I also have EL roofs, and found I wasn´t using the EII 8x30. So I sold them. Then I dropped my EII 10x35 and had to send them to Nikon UK for servicing (beautiful job, they did). But because they have a "notch" mark on the barrel rim, I wouldn´t bother selling them. Then I missed 8x Nikons so bought 8x32 SE´s. Then I found I wasn´t using them at all so I sold them. Recently I missed having premium Nikon Porros so I re-bought a pair of 8x30 EII´s. Which I´ll never sell. I hope. I do prefer them to the SE´s, though.

 

[mooreorless]

"When I was teaching a course in space colonization with an astronomer, he formulated a theory that Cro-Magnons had killed off the entire race of Neanderthals, and thus reigned supreme:"

I think we all have a little Neanderthal in us. I would think they would of liked to use a 8SE if they could figure out how to use it.BTW the yellow letters in your link hurt my eyes.
Steve


Sancho I like your ad for the 82 spotter you have for sale. What you say about the next purchase.

 

[brocknroller]

Steve,

It's probably those cheap glasses!

See how this shade of yellow works for you... it's called "targ liver yellow".

Kahless the Unforgettable Lives!

 

[Sancho]

I´m with you on the Neanderthal heritage in us. I know the geneticists are against it, but some of the bone-hunters disagree. You should see my second-year students in Spanish class on a Monday morning.

 

[CLRobles]

Kahless the Unforgettable Lives!

Hey, didn't he own a line of optics too ||

 

[brocknroller]

Hey, didn't he own a line of optics too ||

Yes, those were his descendants who landed on earth in Switzerland in the early 1300s and were later instrumental in establishing the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

They changed their name to "Habsburg" to sound indigenous and the name of the House changed from the House of Kahless to the House of Habsburg. They became a leading ruling family in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The ruled over Austria for six centuries.

When the Austria-Hungary Army was in need of optics, the House of Habsburg, in honor of their Klingon heritage, founded Kahles Optik.

They dropped the second "s" as to not be mistaken for Germans (they also wore human prosthetic masks in those days, because of alien persecution), and founded the optics company in Austria-Hungary in 1898.

The Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria (Королівство Галичини і Лодомерії) where my adopted grandfather lived at the time, after fleeing persecution during the Bolshevist Revolution in the Ukraine, was a kingdom dependent to the Habsburg Monarchy.

This historical region in eastern Central Europe is currently divided between Poland and the Ukraine.

My grandfather spoke five languages including Klingonese (tlhIngan Hol), and he was a birdwatcher, as you can tell from our family crest.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Wappen_K%C3%B6nigreich_Galizien_%26_Lodomerien.png