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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Habicht for birdwatching? (1 Viewer)

Thanks for your online registration, Mr. Bos,

at the beginning the focus is quite stiff and gets smoother by time.
You have got a 10 years warranty. So you could always send it in later on to soften this wheel.

Mit besten Grüßen / Best regards / Sincères salutations / Cordiali saluti / Saludos
Sabine
Customer Service

SWAROVSKI OPTIK Vertriebs GmbH



That was Swaros reply. I can insist fixing the focuser, but I can also wait a year and see if it is true what she said... Not sure yet.
 
The focus wheel of my Habicht 10x40 GA became very smooth after use for approximately one year by the previous owner (before selling it I used it rarely). For me, it is as smooth as my 10x40 SFL (I think the focus wheel of my SFL unit is a bit stiff). The previous owner got the same answer as you from the Swarovski customer service. Now I can perfectly use it for birdwatching. Habicht 10x40 was the one I took last Saturday when I went out to do some birding along the Ruhr River.
 
I did some bird watching last saturday (I hiked about 20 km) in Friesland with it. I enjoyed displaying common snipe, other grass land birds, bird of pray, the first swallows, bluethroat, etc.
I missed some birds because the focuser wasn't quick enough. So for me a reason to contact Swarovski. However, I promised not to complain about the focuser anymore. ;)

I noticed the 3D view, especially birds in scrups nearby. Further away, the 3D view disappears. At least, that is my experience.
I missed the ability to adjust the length of the strap I can so with my other swaros. I think it is a luxury I am used to have lately :).

To sum up: I still like it a lot! Especially it's weight, the very nice view and it's appearance.
I don't think I would want to have just a Habicht if I could only choose one pair of binoculars. It is JUST not comfortable enough, being used to the NL 10x32, which I see as my main birding binoculars. It will be me lightweight pair when birding isn't my main purpose.
 
I can confirm that the focuser of the 10x40 GA smoothens with time. When I first got it it was so stiff. Felt like I was trying to roll the threads of a panzer tank myself. Much much better now. Not perfect but good enough.

Reinier, post 183,
Do not try the 7x42 Habicht, it is really dangerous, since you never want to let it go after you have felt it and looked into its brilliant crystal clear images.
Gijs van Ginkel
Funny enough it recently occurred to me that 7x might make a great position in my stable because I like the handling of the 10x40. I always wanted to 32mm for wider fov however I realized the extra barrel length of the 10x40 is so nice to have. It just sits in the hand/is very graspable.

Thankfully I saw the rumors post about the 12x52mm NL pure coming out so maybe I will save for that :D:D -- the ultimate astro binocular??
 
I had the same experience with the Habicht focuser
As others have said about new Habicht series, I also experienced an focuser smoothens with my Habicht 7x42. Now, after a while, it moves better but not perfectly. If I had to estimate, my Habicht focuser has become from "Very Stiff" somewhere between
"Stiff" and "Normal" (Very Stiff-- Stiff-- Normal- -Smooth)
View attachment 1573638
 
Definitely the 7x42 is a keeper due to its elegant look if not for the optical performance. The other thing to notice is the easy eye comfort of 7x42 it might be a result of the small FOV. Compared to the NL 8x42 which is giving me blackouts, 7x42 is much easy to use.

Hi Viraj, how are you going along with the Habicht 7x42 after a couple of months? You still like it? Is it way better than the NL 8x42 in low light?
Just curious :).
 
Hi Viraj, how are you going along with the Habicht 7x42 after a couple of months? You still like it? Is it way better than the NL 8x42 in low light?
Just curious :).
Hi. I used it a few times outside. But in my use case, I cannot exactly say that I have a big advantage of using it over NL for low-light use. I still like it for what it is 😁 However, I often think about selling it because my NL is not getting any use because of it (I exceeded the return time otherwise I would have returned it). Also, I am more of a x10 person just like you.
 
Well, I finally joined the group, after many years of thinking and reading about the Habicht, without ever having seen one.

I’m absolutely delighted with my 8X30 W, and have quite fallen for it. Wishing I had bought one long ago.

I have just set it for infinity, which suits me fine, as I mostly bird from a vehicle, in open areas, ponds and such.

Perhaps “Observing Nature” would be a better term for what I do. Birds just happen to be the most abundant and conspicuous, as well as beautiful, life forms in my world. I do not chase warblers (or anything else) flitting through the pucker-brush, nor do I tramp through dark forests, peering into treetops. My tramping days are behind me.

A mother Wood Duck, leading her eight babies across a pond, or a Red-tailed Hawk, perched on the peak of a barn is what I am more likely to encounter. Or a Kingfisher beating a newly-caught fish on a branch. Perhaps a Hooded Merganser, as it bobs up like a cork, from a dive. And I almost forgot the family of Ravens living on a water tower.

I think that sometimes we here are so obsessed with the instrument, that we lose sight of the wonders it can reveal to us.
 
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Well, I wouldn’t say superior because the Habicht 7 has higher transmission and it is a Porro and has the oldest design still manufactured. I will get myself one this year, probably in GA again.
Hi Thotmosis,
Since you have all three of them now, whicht one to you like the most? Somehow the 7x42 still has some attraction for me, unless the very small afov. What do you think of it? Is it your night glass now? I would like to hear your opinion as being an experienced Habicht owner. :)
 
I used to have all three. Bought the 7x42 GA first, then the 10x40 GA and finally the 8x30. In between I was given an IF 8x30 W GA and I have since been given an IF 7x42 GA.
The 7x42 GA was fabulous but it was sold to finance a Zeiss 7x42 FL*T. The 10x40 GA I still have. The 8x30 leatherette I regret trading in for an SFL 8x30 for the Mrs., not because there's anything wrong with the SFL, but because I miss the excellent Habicht 8x30. The IF ones I have are military issue and have reticles/yellowish image. Currently I am looking into getting an 8x30 CF one again. To my mind it may well be best Habicht of all because it has that incredibly clear and sharp image, neutral colour, and it has the good ergonomics of a porro plus it is relatively small and light. The 7x42 was also excellent, but in the end the wide FOV of the 7x42 FL won me over. The 10x40 is equally good, but like all 10x it for me is the limit of hand-holdability - even as a porro, which to my paws have a better grip than roofs.
No idea whether this is any help to you @ReinierB , but there it is.
 
Ok thanks! Yes it helps. I still think the 10x40 is "the one" for me (GA is more comfortable, leatherette better looking imo), but this 7x42 is also interesting when fov and slow focuser isn't the most important (when watching wildlife in low light for instance.)
 
I normally use the Habicht 7x42 + scope or a 20x60S Mono, or, if I don't take a scope, the.Canon 10x42 L IS.

If there were a lighter high quality stabilised 10x binocular, I'd take that for everything.

Hermann
 
Hi Thotmosis,
Since you have all three of them now, whicht one to you like the most? Somehow the 7x42 still has some attraction for me, unless the very small afov. What do you think of it? Is it your night glass now? I would like to hear your opinion as being an experienced Habicht owner. :)
Hi Reinier, well first of all it depends the purpose what im using the binocular for. Second you have to understand that the 8x30 and 7x42 are military IF models of which the 7x has the reticle (in the 8x30 i had it removed). So only the 10x40 has central focus. All three have the latest coatings, so no yellowish image. The 7x i have only for a short period and i have only used it here in the Netherlands. The others i have used in different countries under different conditions. Based on my limited experience with the 7x i can only say that it is a very special glass. As mentioned by many on this forum. I don’t have any problems with the narrow field of view. I think it’s cosy and you can really concentrate on what you see. The view is simply sharp as hell and you get (at shorter distances) a nice “3D effect”. As a birding binocular with the recticle ands IF i would not recommend it though. Also, i have i had one with CF, i think i would prefer my Zeiss 7x42. The 10x40 with CF is a great all around binocular, light weight and all that. I used it a lot on Crete to watch raptors and vultures while hiking. Having said all this, if i had to choose one at gunpoint i would undoubtedly choose my 8x30 IF GA. It fits my hands and eye sockets the best and i just love it. I love it so much that i even consider to get myself a 8x30 CF. But also i would like a 7x42 CF. I think i really like Habichts, all of them 😜.
 
Hi Reinier, well first of all it depends the purpose what im using the binocular for. Second you have to understand that the 8x30 and 7x42 are military IF models of which the 7x has the reticle (in the 8x30 i had it removed). So only the 10x40 has central focus. All three have the latest coatings, so no yellowish image. The 7x i have only for a short period and i have only used it here in the Netherlands. The others i have used in different countries under different conditions. Based on my limited experience with the 7x i can only say that it is a very special glass. As mentioned by many on this forum. I don’t have any problems with the narrow field of view. I think it’s cosy and you can really concentrate on what you see. The view is simply sharp as hell and you get at shorter distances a nice “3D effect”. As a birding binocular with the recticle ands IF i would not recommend it though. The 10x40 with CF is a great all around binocular, light weight and all that. I used it a lot on Crete to watch raptors and vultures while hiking. Having said all this, if i had to choose one at gunpoint i would undoubtedly choose my 8x30 IF GA. It fits my hands and eye sockets the best and i just love it. I love it so much that i even consider to get myself a 8x30 CF. But also i would like a 7x42 CF. I think i really like Habichts, all of them 😜.
Cozy, I like that description 😀. It really does frame out the object being observed very well. This is also very nice under low light and even in the evenings. A very unique and superlative pair of binoculars.
 
Cozy, I like that description 😀. It really does frame out the object being observed very well. This is also very nice under low light and even in the evenings. A very unique and superlative pair of binoculars.
Yes it is a very unique and superlative pair of binoculars indeed. I would also like to add that in my limited experience i think it has no reflections like the other two can give sometimes under certain light conditions.
Did you compare it under low light and/or in the evening with a 8x56?
 
Yes it is a very unique and superlative pair of binoculars indeed. I would also like to add that in my limited experience i think it has no reflections like the other two can give sometimes under certain light conditions.
Did you compare it under low light and/or in the evening with a 8x56?
I have not compared it to a 8x56 side by side, but did so with a 10x56SLC. The Habicht is my dedicated low light binos, it’s the only one I grab when I need a low light bino. I have not tried anything that is brighter , especially in the size of this 7x42.
 
I have not compared it to a 8x56 side by side, but did so with a 10x56SLC. The Habicht is my dedicated low light binos, it’s the only one I grab when I need a low light bino. I have not tried anything that is brighter , especially in the size of this 7x42.
I have also a Zeiss 8x56 FL but i still have to compare them in the field. The weight advantage of the Habicht is undoubtedly clear ofcourse.
 

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