Biggest WOW binoculars you have ever looked through? (1 Viewer)

[Gilmore Girl]

WOW ... sold your classic SV 8x32 ?

I’m sure your new Toric will certainly get the job done , but I see the little SV as a thing of beauty - a Classic
I finally had a chance to get some real time with a Swaro SV 8x32 last weekend at a local park and I have to say I was very impressed with the HUGE sweet spot. I’m not used to flat fields and can see why people like them so much. It's also truly razor sharp. It's a gorgeous binocular and has SO many great qualities.

It's hard to wrap my head around getting rid of your beloved SV which has such awesome ergonomics and was a wonderful fit for your smaller sized hands which you stated many times…it must've fit like a glove. Replacing it with a bulkier, heavier 8x42 with a relative narrow field is a little baffling, but whatever floats your boat. I wonder if you will miss the portability and wide true FOV.
Now you have no small and light portable bino in your line up ?

 

[Gilmore Girl]

You might have no clear perception of the other alphas especially if you prioritise the warranty above other characterisitics but I beg to differ and have a very clear picture of what Leica and Zeiss mean to me.

I have never considered the warranty when deciding to buy bins. The bins are either what I want or not and the warranty will never change that.

So for me Leica is the compact one with a warm view and Zeiss is clarity and handling with more choice from a range of price / performance points.

Other brands are available.

Lee

Agree. I have no problem with brand offered Asian OEM bins, as I have a couple of them myself, but Leica Ultravid, Zeiss FL and HT, Swaro SV are examples of original designs that are unique and have become Classics. Well, Swaro EL is not so unique since lots of companies are now copying it. But, it's still the original in my mind and others are just following.

These binos mentioned above and other top tier binos from companies who design and make their own optics (Kowa, Meopta , Nikon included here) are unique; their designs are top quality and more original. I'm talking about their top tier offerings.
There is nothing else that looks, feels and works like an Ultravid. It's a classic and, even though less expensive binoculars are coming close optically, I wouldn't part with my Uvid unless I was desperate for cash. It's a gem among a sea of clones or clone-like binoculars. There aren't too many binoculars that stand apart or distinguish themselves from the rest.

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis wash your mouth out there are ladies visiting this site you know, so I have edited your quote above. But by asking that I was suggesting that your last visit to the 'drinking place' might have influenced your judgement.

Now it seems that not only your EL 32 mm has become saleable junk but also your EL 10x50 that you needed so badly for those wide open spaces.

You are all excited about a new pair of bins Dennis and there is nothing wrong with that but however good the Trac is and no matter how good value for money they are, they don't turn your Swaros into junk overnight. Only your new infatuation does that.

I dread to ask about your romantic relationships and how long they don't last.

But hey: enjoy.

Lee

No. I realize the Swarovision's 8x32 SV are not junk. BUT I must honestly admit there are things I like BETTER about the Trac Toric 8x42 and that is the smooth focus and the better glare control. I am just really pleased and excited that Trac has produced an affordable binocular that ticks all my boxes after searching for so long. I thank gjraider for the tip and I hope this means other manufacturers will follow suite and come out with some really high quality binoculars like the Trac that everybody can purchase. I like this trend.

 

[[email protected]]

WOW ... sold your classic SV 8x32 ?

I’m sure your new Toric will certainly get the job done , but I see the little SV as a thing of beauty - a Classic
I finally had a chance to get some real time with a Swaro SV 8x32 last weekend at a local park and I have to say I was very impressed with the HUGE sweet spot. I’m not used to flat fields and can see why people like them so much. It's also truly razor sharp. It's a gorgeous binocular and has SO many great qualities.

It's hard to wrap my head around getting rid of your beloved SV which has such awesome ergonomics and was a wonderful fit for your smaller sized hands which you stated many times…it must've fit like a glove. Replacing it with a bulkier, heavier 8x42 with a relative narrow field is a little baffling, but whatever floats your boat. I wonder if you will miss the portability and wide true FOV.
Now you have no small and light portable bino in your line up ?

The Toric is not that bulky and heavy when compared to the SV8x32 as you can see by the pictures I posted on my review and the ergonomics are quite good on it with great fitting eye cups. Don't underestimate it till you try one. The FOV is smaller on the Toric but it is sharp as a razor and quite sharp at the edge with a big sweet spot. The Toric also shows less glare, pans more natural without any RB and has a smoother focuser with a speed that suits me better. The Toric is less fussy than the little SV. It is just like plug and play with no messing around. Put it up to your eyes and use it.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

The Toric is not that bulky and heavy when compared to the SV8x32 as you can see by the pictures I posted on my review and the ergonomics are quite good on it with great fitting eye cups. Don't underestimate it till you try one. The FOV is smaller on the Toric but it is sharp as a razor and quite sharp at the edge with a big sweet spot. The Toric also shows less glare, pans more natural without any RB and has a smoother focuser with a speed that suits me better. The Toric is less fussy than the little SV. It is just like plug and play with no messing around. Put it up to your eyes and use it.

It's less fussy due to the larger EP my guess. That has been my experience being a four-eyes. I have 7x42 and 6x32 as my main binos and that's due to the no fuss and very easy view.

With that said, I found the SV to be one of the better 8x32's with glasses...really very good.

I don't doubt the Toric is a nice binocular at all and I know from my own experience there are excellent binoculars available that aren't alphas. But, it's nice to have a small bino in the line up for portability and weight when you need it. Plus, the SV 8x32 is truly one of THE best produced binos ever IMO and , after all that time you had with it and how much you appreciated it, I am just surprised you aren't keeping it in your collection. All binos have some flaw or shortcoming and you will surely find some flaw in this new acquisition.

That's just my perspective ... but if you are truly happy with what you have at the moment then that's all that really matters.

 

[[email protected]]

It's less fussy due to the larger EP my guess. That has been my experience being a four-eyes. I have 7x42 and 6x32 as my main binos and that's due to the no fuss and very easy view.

With that said, I found the SV to be one of the better 8x32's with glasses...really very good.

I don't doubt the Toric is a nice binocular at all and I know from my own experience there are excellent binoculars available that aren't alphas. But, it's nice to have a small bino in the line up for portability and weight when you need it. Plus, the SV 8x32 is truly one of THE best produced binos ever IMO and , after all that time you had with it and how much you appreciated it, I am just surprised you aren't keeping it in your collection. All binos have some flaw or shortcoming and you will surely find some flaw in this new acquisition.

That's just my perspective ... but if you are truly happy with what you have at the moment then that's all that really matters.

Yes, the bigger EP is another reason the Toric is less fussy. Try the Toric sometime. They have a trial period when you can return them if you don't like them. They might surprise you like they did me. Back to WOW binoculars. It seems that a lot of the truly WOW binoculars have 50MM and bigger apertures. Aperture must make a difference even though most birders choose 42mm or less. Do you all think aperture is what gives a binocular WOW? What is the single most important factor for a big WOW? FOV, AFOV,sharpness, brightness, lack of CA?

 

[Gilmore Girl]

Yes, the bigger EP is another reason the Toric is less fussy. Try the Toric sometime. They have a trial period when you can return them if you don't like them. They might surprise you like they did me. Back to WOW binoculars. It seems that a lot of the truly WOW binoculars have 50MM and bigger apertures. Aperture must make a difference even though most birders choose 42mm or less. Do you all think aperture is what gives a binocular WOW? What is the single most important factor for a big WOW? FOV, AFOV,sharpness, brightness, lack of CA?

I'm set with the two main bins I have...they are just right for me.

 

[[email protected]]

:t:

Dennis, your enthusiasm is impressive and although you've done a few back-flips (haven't we all) your Toric review seemed balanced and fair. I've never seen a pair, but not sure I could drop to 7.2 FOV. I quite agree though that mid-tier binos are catching up and the alphas are only a nose ahead. I also agree that Canon IS 10x42 is a stunner, but couldn't live with the ergos. Fussy, moi?
I regret parting with Nikon EDG 8x42, and Nikon SE 10x42. They were ultra-wow. But courtesy of a gentleman BF member, I now have a 551xxx SE 8x32 to play with. Stunning. Although I'm pretty sure it's exactly the same as 500xxx and 502xxx I previously owned....I haven't compared them SxS, but I don't think Nikon ever made any 'improvements' optically...some things you can't improve on.

Interesting WOW choices. Nice comment.

 

[Troubador]

I am just really pleased and excited that Trac has produced an affordable binocular that ticks all my boxes after searching for so long. /QUOTE]

So all that time you were telling us how wonderful and best-in-the-world and couldn't be beaten, the Swaro ELs were in general and then the 32 in particular and more recently the EL 10x50 are, you were desperately searching, searching, searching (see your quote above), for a pair of bins that would at long last tick your boxes because, actually, the ELs didn't? :eek!:

And all those times you told us that once you have experienced an alpha you can't go back, and anyone who says you don't need an alpha was someone who wanted one but couldn't really afford one, you were, all that time, searching, searching, searching (see your quote above) for a mid-priced binocular that would at last tick all your boxes? :eek!:

Ever thought of running alongside Donald Trump? :-O

Enjoy your bins Dennis.

Lee

 

[[email protected]]

I am just really pleased and excited that Trac has produced an affordable binocular that ticks all my boxes after searching for so long. /QUOTE]

So all that time you were telling us how wonderful and best-in-the-world and couldn't be beaten, the Swaro ELs were in general and then the 32 in particular and more recently the EL 10x50 are, you were desperately searching, searching, searching (see your quote above), for a pair of bins that would at long last tick your boxes because, actually, the ELs didn't? :eek!:

And all those times you told us that once you have experienced an alpha you can't go back, and anyone who says you don't need an alpha was someone who wanted one but couldn't really afford one, you were, all that time, searching, searching, searching (see your quote above) for a mid-priced binocular that would at last tick all your boxes? :eek!:

Ever thought of running alongside Donald Trump? :-O

Enjoy your bins Dennis.

Lee

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

 

[Torview]

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

There have been plenty of bins around offering 95% of Alpha performance for some time, I`m certain there`s a very good reason you`v sold the Swaro`s in favour of the Toric, but I`d bet my Swaro`s............... optical performance is`nt it.

 

[SuperDuty]

Dennis, I can't believe you're not jumping on a pair of these. http://www.eurooptic.com/zeiss-victory-10x42-sf-binoculars-price-to-be-determined.aspx

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

 

[james holdsworth]

This whole thread is another ego stroke by Dennis - but, please, play along if you must.....

 

[Troubador]

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

I am not at all disappointed at you leaving the alpha club. You may have missed it but I said twice on here in the past few weeks that if was to be shipwrecked on a desert island I would want my Conqest HD 8x32s to be washed ashore with me. And don't forget I also have a Terra 8x32 as well. But hey this didn't make me sell my HT or SF.

And you didn't have to spend $2k on a pair of bins because you spent it already.

Anyway have fun with your Trac.

Lee

 

[Gilmore Girl]

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

You're just noticing this now ? People have been saying this for years and, when they did, you would tell them to just get 'the Swarovski Swarovision, the best birding binocular and be done with it'...or 'get an alpha and be done with it...blah blah blah...' What a flip flop - a total reversal of your previous arguments. You would make a great politician

Everyone else noticed certain mid-priced bins are close to Alpha level optics long ago and you said it yourself when you first tried the Conquest HD. I remember reading your impressions. You've also said it about other models too like Alpen Rainier, Leupold GR, as just a couple of examples.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

No, you are missing my point Troub. I don't really see the point in spending $2k for a binocular anymore when FINALLY a binocular like the Trac Toric 8x42 fulfills my needs and gives me 95% of the performance of the alpha glass and in many ways is superior. We all know that Swarovki's are wonderful optical instruments but their focus is not the best and their glare control is not the best. I think you are a little agitated that I have kind of left the "Alpha Club" and have lowered myself to a mid-priced binocular. I think you should personally give the Toric a spin. It might change your mind about how much you really have to spend on a binocular. By the way I am voting for Donald Trump. He is better than crooked Hillary.:-O

Interesting complete change of perspective you are going through.

Lee has a mixture of top tier , mid and low tier.

I also have been buying mid - low tier bins for years and have a couple right now along with my Leica.

You're just catching up with the rest of us. Welcome to our club

You know, you can enjoy both top tier and also appreciate the mid-tier stuff too. It doesn't have to be either/or.

 

[james holdsworth]

Fool me once, shame on you - fool me 16 times, shame on the participants of this forum.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

Fool me once, shame on you - fool me 16 times, shame on the participants of this forum.

Don't act so high and mighty. I've seen many many posts of you going back and forth with Denny.

 

[Gilmore Girl]

Fool me once, shame on you - fool me 16 times, shame on the participants of this forum.

Also, I don't think anyone is being 'fooled'... we all know he goes through bins like crazy, but he usually buys 'up' , so that part is a bit strange and that is what people are commenting on. If he has done that before then I missed it.

 

[[email protected]]

Interesting complete change of perspective you are going through.

Lee has a mixture of top tier , mid and low tier.

I also have been buying mid - low tier bins for years and have a couple right now along with my Leica.

You're just catching up with the rest of us. Welcome to our club

You know, you can enjoy both top tier and also appreciate the mid-tier stuff too. It doesn't have to be either/or.

No. You are not getting it. I have TRIED MANY mid and low tier binoculars over the years. I have purchased alpha's because the mid and low tier binoculars never met my expectations. The Trac Toric's are the FIRST mid tier binoculars that satisfy me in just about every way.