Are two binoculars better than one? (2 Viewers)

[CharleyBird]

There are birds that fly off, too far to identify. Presumably three-quarters of birds in flight do that. In fact they all do ultimately! But a dot at 8x is still a dot at 12x.
To me, as a birder, I'd be thinking binoculars and a scope. Give yourself a proper difference in magnification.
And, appreciating that "jizz" , shape, behaviour, experience is a better identification tool than more pairs of binoculars.

Not sure I follow your logic. For me, if an 8x sees only a dot then a 12x may enable a shape to be recognised for 'jizz identification'.
I admit to using a scope rarely, and getting a dot in the sky focused in a scope is a skill I don't possess.

Incidentally I've used 'gist' for decades but discovered 'jizz' only recently after finding this excellent guidebook:


Although the term was first used in 1921 by ornithologist T. Coward.

 

[Bezzer]

Dunno why jizz is taking precedent over giss considering jizz's more common slang/dictionary meaning.

 

[tehri]

😉

 

[Isthatascratch?]

View attachment 1632955 😉

NL’s!!!

 

[Isthatascratch?]

Dunno why jizz is taking precedent over giss considering jizz's more common slang/dictionary meaning.

Yeah …jizz and birds… say that to a class of teenagers!!!

 

[Swedpat]

This topic really have a lot of possible opinions.
I use to think that if I only have one binocular a 6-8x30-32 is a good compromise.
For two binoculars a compact and a full sized is good. 6-8x20-25 and a 7-10x40-42. All this depending on the desired magnification.

 

[Scott98]

8x42 SF for sale?

No! I like them too much. Optics seem incredibly sharp & clear, the ergo design is awesome

 

[Maljunulo]

Yeah …jizz and birds… say that to a class of teenagers!!!

Just to avoid potential uncertainty and misunderstanding, precisely how are we defining "jizz"?

Obviously I’ve missed something along the way, which is obvious to everyone else.

 

[Isthatascratch?]

Just to avoid potential uncertainty and misunderstanding, precisely how are we defining "jizz"?

😳 🫣

 

[Peter.home]

Not sure I follow your logic. For me, if an 8x sees only a dot then a 12x may enable a shape to be recognised for 'jizz identification'.
I admit to using a scope rarely, and getting a dot in the sky focused in a scope is a skill I don't possess.

Incidentally I've used 'gist' for decades but discovered 'jizz' only recently after finding this excellent guidebook:
View attachment 1632951

Although the term was first used in 1921 by ornithologist T. Coward.

That book really was groundbreaking back in the day. And although it is tailored for British birds, the principles are the same everywhere in the world. It can be much easier to memorise a facial expression sometimes, or flight pattern.

Is it the Little Owl in the book that has the wings as a scribbled blur?!

 

[CharleyBird]

 

[Hermann]

That book really was groundbreaking back in the day. And although it is tailored for British birds, the principles are the same everywhere in the world. It can be much easier to memorise a facial expression sometimes, or flight pattern.

If someone wants to read up on the background of identification by jizz there's a nice introductory article on Gestalt Psychology in the Wikipedia: Gestalt psychology - Wikipedia. Identification by jizz is based on Gestalt Psychology.

BTW, I learnt about jizz in 1979/80 when I went out a lot with a couple of British twitchers. Those were the days ...

Hermann

 

[Maljunulo]

If someone wants to read up on the background of identification by jizz there's a nice introductory article on Gestalt Psychology in the Wikipedia: Gestalt psychology - Wikipedia. Identification by jizz is based on Gestalt Psychology.

BTW, I learnt about jizz in 1979/80 when I went out a lot with a couple of British twitchers. Those were the days ...

Hermann

Fascinating.

Thank you, Hermann.

 

[CharleyBird]

This pdf may also be of interest:

https://britishbirds.co.uk/sites/default/files/2018_V111_N05_264-274_jizz_0.pdf

 

[NatureLover123]

I think right now I am kinda leaning towards buying the SF’s since the offer is just too good to refuse and I would be able to sell them immediately for a higher price. Maybe I am going to stick with the SFL 40’s for a little while and try and see if paired with some other straps the pain will go away. However i do think if i only had the SF’s right now I would have gone for the SFL 30’s as my “hiking binoculars” since those 460 grams just seem ideal here. Maybe I should also check out the Habicht 8x30’s or other similar binos. They’re still a bit lighter than my 40’s and significantly cheaper than the SFL’s (atleast here in Denmark)

I hope the used 10x42 SF is in good condition with no scratches on the lenses. The price may be „too low“ to be true… Is it still covered within the 10 years warranty, just in case? Can you see and check them personally before you buy? When you look through them, then the view should be clear, bright, crisp, sharp and calmed and relaxed like chilling with closed eyes in a spa.

Lets assume they are in a perfect technical condition, then they are a good addition to your 8x40 SFL.

I have a 10x42 SF and it‘s for me a perfect high detail resolving all-around tool. I pair it with a lightweight 10x32 SF with equal detail resolving power (at day). I like 10x.

There is nothing wrong with owning two pairs and choosing one or another, based on an informed decision.

 

[Charlie Yardbird]

Incidentally I've used 'gist' for decades but discovered 'jizz' only recently after finding this excellent guidebook:
View attachment 1632951

Although the term was first used in 1921 by ornithologist T. Coward.

There seems to be only the one version, no North American version? Does it rely on "Species A vs Species B" only, or does it teach general principles I could apply to any species?

I got spammed by the Angry Birds Star Wars Character Encylcopedia before I refined it to include the author Hume.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I think the Nikon HG 8x42 and HG 10x42 make a good combo, and together you only have the price of one alpha but with the versatility of a 8x and a 10x.

 

[chill6x6]

Narrowing down choices....that's always be hard for me with motorcycles, watches, and binoculars!

It's funny how my preferences change some. But a good binocular today will generally always be a good binocular.

On this day, at this time...I would narrow it down to:

1. Swarovski NL 10X42
2. Swarovski NL 8X32(or SV 8X32)
3. Zeiss SFL 8X40(spare) or Monarch HG 8X42
4. Zeiss Victory Pocket 8X25 OR Swarovski CL Pocket 8X25

Sad thing is...I currently have ALL of those! 😐
I'm trying!

 

[Dennis Mau]

Narrowing down choices....that's always be hard for me with motorcycles, watches, and binoculars!

It's funny how my preferences change some. But a good binocular today will generally always be a good binocular.

On this day, at this time...I would narrow it down to:

1. Swarovski NL 10X42
2. Swarovski NL 8X32(or SV 8X32)
3. Zeiss SFL 8X40(spare) or Monarch HG 8X42
4. Zeiss Victory Pocket 8X25 OR Swarovski CL Pocket 8X25

Sad thing is...I currently have ALL of those! 😐
I'm trying!

Those are very good choices coming from somebody that has a lot of experience with different binoculars. The two pocket binoculars are hard to beat, but I think I would take the SV 8x32 over the NL 8x32 for it's more compact size, lighter weight and a little better glare resistance, even though it has a smaller FOV than the NL 8x32. I agree on the NL 10x42. I think it is probably one of the best, if not the best, of the NL's. Somebody like chill6x6 that has familiarity with many different binoculars is really valuable to the forum, especially to the less seasoned beginner birders.

 

[ragin-cajun]

Yes 2.. I have a SLC 8 x 56 and a NL 8 x 32 both have their specific time and place