Blackouts? (1 Viewer)

[Bentley03]

One of the problems many people here have is that they use too many different binoculars. Most binoculars are sufficiently "different" that you have to get used to them. That may take a few days in the field, it's not something you can do in a shop. And if you only use one or, at most - two different binoculars, you'll get so familiar with them that all those "difficulties" mysteriously disappear. Provided you found the correct IPD and so on in the first place.

Hermann

I 100% agree with you, Hermann, although personally, I thoroughly enjoy those 'problems' you refer to, and might prefer to call them 'challenges' instead. 🙂

James

 

[jafritten]

The simple answer is yes, to a degree, but for the most part I am able to manage them sufficiently to really enjoy them. It is only a side by side comparison, or when I switch between the Noctivid and a more 'friendly' 8x42 that I become aware of it and a little irritated by it. The 10x Nocs I find more forgiving, in terms of blackouts.

I can't remember if you wear glasses while using binoculars, or not, but when I've passed my Nocs to non glasses wearers to try, they have invariably experienced some difficulties with blackouts, more so than those who do wear glasses. Of course, there are some big fans of the Nocs on here who don't wear glasses, so...

I think you just need to try them again and see if 'the view' is a sufficient trade off for any necessary compromises in 'viewing comfort'. Certainly the copy you had sounded very unpleasant, no wonder you returned them, regardless of their characteristics in use. But, have some 8x42's which you find really comfortable to use to compare them with side by side, so that you can evaluate any trade off/compromises the characteristics of the Nocs might require.

The day I took the decision to go and potentially purchase a pair of 8x42 Nocs (based entirely on my experiences with my 10x Nocs) the dealer had just taken in a pair of used 8x40 'Retrovids'. He handed them to me to test and get my opinion on them, alongside his 8x42 Noctivid display/demo copy. By the time he'd finished dealing with the customer who was already in the shop when I arrived, trying to choose between different formats of NL's (eventually choosing 8x42's for their calmer view over the 10x42's which he felt were better balanced in the hands), I knew I wasn't going to buy the 8x42 Nocs, because I'd bonded with the 8x40 'Retrovids' immediately and was enjoying them so much more. I struck an excellent deal for the Retrovids and returned home very happy. I have, of course, subsequently purchased a pair of 8x42 Nocs too (green edition), at the second attempt.

Not sure if any of that helps, but despite the relatively negative reporting I've made above, I do genuinely love using my 8x42 Noctivid, it's just not quite as easy/comfortable in use as some, so needs to be tested carefully before purchase, to ensure any trade-offs required are acceptable to you. 🙂

James

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, James. I don't wear glasses - perhaps I should... If it hadn't been for the appalling smell and the scorch I would have kept them for a few days before returning them. I should have spend some more time with them because I loved the view. I'll be in Manchester next week, so I might pop into the Leica Store and try them again. It would be nice if Leica had something like a "try before you buy" scheme. A few weeks ago, I came across a website of a seller that rents out binoculars. I remember they had an Ultravid 8x42. I'll try and find that website again. Anyway, good to hear that you can enjoy yours all the same!

 

[Woen]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, James. I don't wear glasses - perhaps I should... If it hadn't been for the appalling smell and the scorch I would have kept them for a few days before returning them. I should have spend some more time with them because I loved the view. I'll be in Manchester next week, so I might pop into the Leica Store and try them again. It would be nice if Leica had something like a "try before you buy" scheme. A few weeks ago, I came across a website of a seller that rents out binoculars. I remember they had an Ultravid 8x42. I'll try and find that website again. Anyway, good to hear that you can enjoy yours all the same!

Make sure to do more then just a stationary test. Try following some flying objects (birds fly!) And act like you have to spot something with haste.

Noctivids are very very good and I will cope with this little problem. But I've had similar 8x42's (on eye relief specs) and never encountered this problem. So yeah, different 8x42's give different challenges. The Zeiss SF 8x42's had a lot of flare and blue rings plus a lot of green (that doesn't really work where I use them). But ergonomics and the view were just awesome and the best I've ever seen. And so on and so on, no perfect bin out there maybe 🤔

 

[Bentley03]

Make sure to do more then just a stationary test. Try following some flying objects (birds fly!) And act like you have to spot something with haste.

Noctivids are very very good and I will cope with this little problem. But I've had similar 8x42's (on eye relief specs) and never encountered this problem. So yeah, different 8x42's give different challenges. The Zeiss SF 8x42's had a lot of flare and blue rings plus a lot of green (that doesn't really work where I use them). But ergonomics and the view were just awesome and the best I've ever seen. And so on and so on, no perfect bin out there maybe 🤔

Yes, excellent advice. That is indeed the problem with buying binoculars from 'shops' in general. Here, there are a number of dealers in locations where there is the opportunity to test properly, and with most of them charging more or less identical prices for these products, it's well worth choosing one with a 'realistic' testing area. Cley Spy have a superb location for testing and Ace Optics too. Those are the two I'm very much aware of, but there are a number of well stocked RSPB shops (Viking Optical I believe) which offer excellent testing opportunities too. There must be others too.

 

[jafritten]

There must be others too.

Does anybody know a good shop in Manchester or Sheffield? Or somewhere in the area? The Leica store in Manchester is on a high street. So, that's not the best place to test new binoculars.

 

[Bentley03]

Does anybody know a good shop in Manchester or Sheffield? Or somewhere in the area? The Leica store in Manchester is on a high street. So, that's not the best place to test new binoculars.

Just a thought, but maybe contact Viking Optical and ask if they have an RSPB shop at a reserve in your neighbourhood which has a demo 8x42 Noc?

 

[jafritten]

Just a thought, but maybe contact Viking Optical and ask if they have an RSPB shop at a reserve in your neighbourhood which has a demo 8x42 Noc?

Good idea, but I am in Germany. I am going to England just for a holiday. All the optics shops I know in Germany are located in city centres. I am not in a hurry. So, I'll just be patient and keep my eyes open.

 

[Trinovid]

Does anybody know a good shop in Manchester or Sheffield? Or somewhere in the area? The Leica store in Manchester is on a high street. So, that's not the best place to test new binoculars.

There’s a Leica store in Seattle, Washington where they’ll actually let you look up and down the mall, which offers many different viewing opportunities, including some greenery and shaded areas too. Wouldn’t Manchester also have a wide range of variance from in front of their store as well?

 

[Woen]

Good idea, but I am in Germany. I am going to England just for a holiday. All the optics shops I know in Germany are located in city centres. I am not in a hurry. So, I'll just be patient and keep my eyes open.

Whereabouts in Germany? I know a great store with about every binocular not to far from the German border in The Netherlands for instance. Munich has stores and they let you use the bin outside.

 

[jafritten]

There’s a Leica store in Seattle, Washington where they’ll actually let you look up and down the mall, which offers many different viewing opportunities, including some greenery and shaded areas too. Wouldn’t Manchester also have a wide range of variance from in front of their store as well?

I had a look at the location on Google street view and it doesn't look too promising. And of course, I would only have so much time to test them. I had a pair for one afternoon last summer and I am thinking I should have kept them for a couple of days before I returned them. I thought about that today and now I am thinking that half an hour in front of a shop on a high street won't be very helpful. Instead, I have been looking at some options to rent binoculars for a week or so but I haven't found a Noctivid yet. That would give me enough time to test them thoroughly.

 

[Bentley03]

Instead, I have been looking at some options to rent binoculars for a week or so but I haven't found a Noctivid yet. That would give me enough time to test them thoroughly.

It's a pity Leica (and others) don't offer an equivalent of the very excellent Try Zeiss scheme we have here in the UK. 'Chapeau' to Zeiss for that!

 

[Trinovid]

It's a pity Leica (and others) don't offer an equivalent of the very excellent Try Zeiss scheme we have here in the UK. 'Chapeau' to Zeiss for that!

What is it, and is it also available elsewhere?

 

[Bentley03]

What is it, and is it also available elsewhere?

It's a scheme which offers a two day free trial of Zeiss equipment here in the UK:

Try ZEISS

I don't know if they offer an equivalent scheme in other countries, but it's an excellent idea.

 

[Woen]

Update time!

Glasses, it's the glasses. I had a new pair with a slight varifocus part I forgot about. I'm in Sweden now and using the bins everyday with a pair of normal glasses and no blackouts whatsoever. And great sightings of wildlife.

Plus placement, it's all about placement and it comes naturally now.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Leica Noctivid 8*42. It kinda bothers me that for some reason I have to be so precise using it. Really have to find a solution for this problem

I recently acquired NV 8x as well, and yes they can be a bit fiddly with regard to eye placement. The issue, I believe, is the huge expanse of eyepiece glass and the ridiculously large ER. While those are both 'pluses', they do require some adjustments to the individuals eyes, face, hold, etc.

I wear thin wire-framed specs and find that they are the first binos I've ever used where I can/need the eye-cups out one stop. Even then I can easily see the field in entirety.

The second thing that helped was paying very close attention to IP setting. I actually measured mine and then set binos accordingly, and issues practically disappeared. So I now take greater care in adjustments and all-is-well.

 

[Woen]

It keeps me thinking, I'm totally relaxed now and using my binoculars daily. Looking at moose, elk, roe deer, cranes, capercaille, osprey, black throated and red throated divers. Found some fresh bear tracks close to where I'm staying even. No haste and no crowded spaces. Maybe that also counts for better sights.

 

[Woen]

And off topic, I'm watching the territorial disputes and courtship of some five black throated divers. They swam up to me, distance 10 meters at the closest. All in the setting sun. It's magnificent.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'd say move your 'bins', not your eyes?

 

[Maljunulo]

As an aside, I think loons are very interesting birds, as members of a group who are capable in land, water, or air.

They are least competent on land, due to how far “aft” their legs are set, which makes walking problematical. It obviously helps greatly when swimming and diving.

Fascinating.