Death Of The Alpha? (1 Viewer)

[maico]

Unfortunately being in the UK I won't easily get a chance to try the mythical Tract or Maven. Oh well.

Yes you will. Opticron is a UK company and the new Imagic BGA VHD model is apparently the same as the Tract...

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3523862#post3523862

 

[The-Wanderer]

Tract gives the eye relief as 19mm, presumably real. On the other hand, for apparently the same Kamakura base, marketed by Opticron, the quoted eye relief is 22mm, effective.

If these figures are correct the difference in the models is significant.

 

[[email protected]]

Tract gives the eye relief as 19mm, presumably real. On the other hand, for apparently the same Kamakura base, marketed by Opticron, the quoted eye relief is 22mm, effective.

If these figures are correct the difference in the models is significant.

I wonder if the eyecups are the same length on the Opticron as the Tract? That could be too much eye relief. Also, I wonder if the Opticron has a polymer or magnesium frame.

 

[Troubador]

I wonder if the eyecups are the same length on the Opticron as the Tract? That could be too much eye relief. Also, I wonder if the Opticron has a polymer or magnesium frame.

Follow the above link to the other thread Dennis. Looks like its magnesium.

Lee

 

[Grando]

The Opticron looks interesting. Thanks. I should say I'm not particularly in the market for a new pair of bins at the moment, but posted in answer to the statement regarding the death of the alpha. And all I can say is that, looking through the Zeiss SFs and new Noctovids at the weekend, reports of their death have been greatly exagerated. Both appear to be fantastic bins that I would love to own. These Tracts, Mavens, Opticrons may well also be fantastic binoculars, but I don't think they will render the top-end offerings redundant... It's obvious that a £2000 binocular is not 4 times better than a £500 binocular - we all know that there is a law of diminishing returns. Now, depending on many factors, potential buyers may decide that forking out a small fortune for a small incremental increase is not worth it, but for others that small increase will be worth the extra x hundred pounds. So, can we agree that the premise of this thread is ridiculous: so-called alpha binoculars are not and will probably never be dead; they may be overpriced, but that's a very different statement...

 

[Troubador]

So, can we agree that the premise of this thread is ridiculous: so-called alpha binoculars are not and will probably never be dead

Yes.

Lee

 

[jgraider]

Dead? No
Crippled a little? Absolutely

IMHO of course!

 

[Vespobuteo]

Well perhaps the Nikon EDG is close to death. Nikon reports extraordinary loss...

http://nikonrumors.com/2017/02/13/n...-fundamental-company-wide-restructuring.aspx/

 

[[email protected]]

Well perhaps the Nikon EDG is close to death. Nikon reports extraordinary loss...

http://nikonrumors.com/2017/02/13/n...-fundamental-company-wide-restructuring.aspx/

The EDG is the first to go. The rest will follow. Mark my words.

 

[[email protected]]

The Opticron looks interesting. Thanks. I should say I'm not particularly in the market for a new pair of bins at the moment, but posted in answer to the statement regarding the death of the alpha. And all I can say is that, looking through the Zeiss SFs and new Noctovids at the weekend, reports of their death have been greatly exagerated. Both appear to be fantastic bins that I would love to own. These Tracts, Mavens, Opticrons may well also be fantastic binoculars, but I don't think they will render the top-end offerings redundant... It's obvious that a £2000 binocular is not 4 times better than a £500 binocular - we all know that there is a law of diminishing returns. Now, depending on many factors, potential buyers may decide that forking out a small fortune for a small incremental increase is not worth it, but for others that small increase will be worth the extra x hundred pounds. So, can we agree that the premise of this thread is ridiculous: so-called alpha binoculars are not and will probably never be dead; they may be overpriced, but that's a very different statement...

I personally liked the Tract Toric 8x42 and Maven B.2 9x45 better overall than my SV 8x32 and 10x50. I saw no small incremental increase in performance with the SV's outside of the slightly sharper edges on the SV but you pay for that with RB. Let me tell you I really appreciate the smooth focus on the Tract and the Maven.

 

[Iceberg slim]

Am i going to see plenty Am/Canadian birders at Pelee (may 17) sporting these super unobtainable Binoculars, looking fwd to duking it out to the bitter end....B 8-P

 

[Pinewood]

Am i going to see plenty Am/Canadian birders at Pelee (may 17) sporting these super unobtainable Binoculars, looking fwd to duking it out to the bitter end....B 8-P

Hello Martin,

I have never seen bird watchers engaged in violence. Of course, I have never been at a British twitch. Here in the former colonies we engage in upturned noses. verbal slights, cutting remarks and silence. I think we learned these responses from the more genteel elements of British society.
I can attest that there are few owners of that Austrian brand who would be rather averse to looking through anything else.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:

 

[Vespobuteo]

The EDG is the first to go. The rest will follow. Mark my words.

You will buy a Noctivid, finally. Mark my words.
o

 

[[email protected]]

You will buy a Noctivid, finally. Mark my words.
o

Nikon is first and then Leica's Binocular division is next.The Alpha is DEAD!:-C

 

[Iceberg slim]

Hello Martin,

I have never seen bird watchers engaged in violence. Of course, I have never been at a British twitch. Here in the former colonies we engage in upturned noses. verbal slights, cutting remarks and silence. I think we learned these responses from the more genteel elements of British society.
I can attest that there are few owners of that Austrian brand who would be rather averse to looking through anything else.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur :hi:

...You obviously picked up my satirical word play, how ironic, #NoctividsroolGB

 

[[email protected]]

Am i going to see plenty Am/Canadian birders at Pelee (may 17) sporting these super unobtainable Binoculars, looking fwd to duking it out to the bitter end....B 8-P

It would be a massacre.:eek!:

 

[[email protected]]

Yes.

Lee

Naysayer! Not many believed Noah either until it was too late.:-O

 

[[email protected]]

Follow the above link to the other thread Dennis. Looks like its magnesium.

Lee

I thought it could be polymer. The Zulu 7 8x42 has a polymer frame and looks similar to the Tract Toric. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Iceberg slim]

It would be a massacre.:eek!:

I know i'm a one man army......

 

[[email protected]]

Tract gives the eye relief as 19mm, presumably real. On the other hand, for apparently the same Kamakura base, marketed by Opticron, the quoted eye relief is 22mm, effective.

If these figures are correct the difference in the models is significant.

Just because Kamakura built them doesn't mean they are identical. They could be way different builds.