Have I Found the Perfect Bins? (1 Viewer)

[Graham Osborne]

Joanne

I am hoping that the lower price might be because most people prefer black and the green ones are not shifting. The picture must be a mistake, showing one of the 42mm models.

Info on LotuTec: http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A80033F8E4/Contents-Frame/DD9C0E70A80D1F69C1257131004B746C

My own FLs are the original version without the LotuTec coating. This is not a particularly big deal to me as it has no effect on optical performance, but if I were buying a new pair now it would be a factor that should have a very significant bearing on price, so I would want to check on this. If the WE bins on offer have LotuTec then this is definitely a good deal. Without LotuTec I don't think it is a good deal. (And I also think the green ones look ok).

 

[Fireform]

I don't know about perfect, but the Zeiss FLs are very, very good. If I were limited to one binocular for life, that specific model would likely be it.

From the pairs I've owned, I find the Nikon SE porros to be a hairsbreadth sharper in the centerfield and a hairsbreadth less bright. The Nikons are my go-to binoculars, but they don't have waterproof barrels, locking diopter adjustments or racheting twist up eyecups.

There are a lot of good choices out there if you can afford them.

 

[Dave B Smith]

Hi guys....should have know I would get a lot of encouragement to go for them on the bins forum......now....just have to convince the other half it's a good idea.

Joanne

Convince him? For some reason the phrase fait accompli comes to mind
Enjoy!

 

[joannec]

Thanks for comments everyone. I now know what loututec is. I have been more than happy with my Nikon Monarchs up until now but it's clear that as this hobby develops and one gets more tuned in you come to appreciate the finer qualities of optical performance. For me it's not about the optics in themselves, it's about what they can do to see the birds better.

Convince him? For some reason the phrase fait accompli comes to mind
Enjoy!

3......had a giggle at that Dave.

 

[barry robson]

Hi Joanne

I had a pair of Minox 10x52 BD BR which I thought were great until I tried 10 x42 Zeiss FLs which are absolutely brilliant. Light weight, sharp, crisp, bright image - an absolute delight. I recently bought them from Warehouse Express (also got my Zeiss 65mm scope plus zoom from them a couple of years ago, excellent service and value) and don't regret buying them one bit. The Lotutec coating seems to keep the lenses cleaner for longer as it appears to shed dirt, water etc. I live up on the Cumbrian Fells where I found the larger magnification useful over the longer distances but a friend has the 7x42 and thinks they are FAB-U-LOUS

Talk the other half round - these are a serious long term investment and seem to be getting more expensive the longer you hold out. My (green) 10x42s are already £100 more expensive than 5 months ago…

B

 

[Pinewood]

Hello Joanne,

What are the prospects for a price increase in the latest Zeiss products come the New Year? I hav noticed that sterling has not been doing well against the Euro.
Are those WE FL's with or without Lotutec?

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

 

[NoSpringChicken]

I have been looking at the 8x32 FLs at Warehouse Express and the green and black models have different manufacturer's codes (525322 for the green and 523220 for the black). The green and black 8x42s have codes which are closer together (524551 for the green and 524541 for the black). I suppose this might indicate that the green 8x32s are pre-Lotutec models or perhaps it means nothing.

I see the 8x32 FLs are currently on back order too, which might mean a long wait.

Ron

 

[ThoLa]

I have been looking at the 8x32 FLs at Warehouse Express and the green and black models have different manufacturer's codes (525322 for the green and 523220 for the black). The green and black 8x42s have the same code (524541). I suppose this might indicate that the green 8x32s are pre-Lotutec models?

I see the 8x32 FLs are currently on back order too, which might mean a long wait.

Ron

If these are the Zeiss order codes, you may compare here:
http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A80033D63E/Contents-Frame/7AF210536245987D41256A7200570EC1

Eyecups changed from straight to rounded with the transition from no Lotutec to with L.t.

Tom

 

[NoSpringChicken]

Sorry Tom I realised I had misread the code numbers for the 8x42 models and have edited my original post, so it is now different from the quote in your post.

I am getting tired and need something to eat.

Ron

 

[ThoLa]

Sorry Tom I realised I had misread the code numbers for the 8x42 models and have edited my original post, so it is now different from the quote in your post.
I am getting tired and need something to eat.

Ron

I have tried to edit .. but I can't change the quotation.
Sorry, if I have caused confusion.
The info at Warehouse Express is not very detailed, and the pictures are not always accurate. So it will be a good idea to call them and ask about the specifications, I think.

Cheers, Tom

 

[ThoLa]

Eyecups changed from straight to rounded with the transition from no Lotutec to with L.t.

Tom

Here are some nice pictures:

http://www.authorizedoptics.com/523222.html


T

 

[Robert / Seattle]

Hi Graham

I had looked at the WE site and noticed the green were cheaper too.....also noticed they looked different in shape. Anyone know why the green are cheaper? (I don't have a problem with green, unlike a pink scope.) ...
Joanne

Far from being a problem, I actually prefer the green ones (they're actually a nice two-toned green and black (counting the large focus knob and generous eyecups). Rather fetching, I'd say; less "severe" than the all black. And if they're cheaper then I'd go for them (they are in every other regard identical to the all black ones (as pictured below), so if they looked different in shape I'd suspect the product illustration was inaccurate.

 

[Robert / Seattle]

...
I would suggest trying Swaro ELs and Leica Uvids before buying the FLs, just to make sure you're getting the best "fit" for you. ...

Joanne, the above is well worth considering, Just don't linger too long -- comparing top notch bins side by side can be an exercise in "what if" futility.

If you do compare, keep it under an hour, if that, and go with your gut impression. Those will be the binoculars for you.

 

[mak]

Re the Warehouse Express images and product code: The image under the 8x32 FL (Green) is in fact a 42mm binocular.

The code: 52 53 22 IS INCORRECT. No FL's have this code.

The Lotu Tec codes for the 8x32 FL are:
52 32 30 = 8x32 FL (Black) with Lotu Tec
52 32 32 = 8x32 FL (Green) with Lotu Tec.

If the version is the older model (without Lotu Tec) then the codes would be:
52 32 20 = 8x32 FL (Black)
52 32 22 = 8x32 FL (Green).

 

[Nick Elliston]

Plenty of good advice here already Joanne.

As Matt says in an earlier post, once you have a top range bino you wn't want to settle for less. Having said that, there are some good cheaper ones. You just need to decide whether that better (even if only a little) view is worth the extra cash.

Good advice from Kevin Conville as well in trying the Swaro and Leica. I went through the same process just over a year ago and Swaro/Leica/Zeiss are all good. As Robert says, try them all for a while and go with gut feel - not just on view but also "feel".

 

[joannec]

Rather fetching, I'd say; less "severe" than the all black. And if they're cheaper then I'd go for them .

.......for this fashion conscious girl.3 ....

Gut feeling already says, 'these are the bins for me'.

I suppose I should look at the US price. My sister lives in the US and I could order them there, where they are probably cheaper, get them delivered to her and she could bring them when she comes to visit next year....problem is what if it's a duff pair?!:C

Plenty of good advice here already Joanne.

As Matt says in an earlier post, once you have a top range bino you wn't want to settle for less. Having said that, there are some good cheaper ones. You just need to decide whether that better (even if only a little) view is worth the extra cash.

Good advice from Kevin Conville as well in trying the Swaro and Leica. I went through the same process just over a year ago and Swaro/Leica/Zeiss are all good. As Robert says, try them all for a while and go with gut feel - not just on view but also "feel".

Yeah Nick...will try them. I tried larger objective swaros and they were sooooo heavy but I haven't yet tried the 32s. Leica 8x32's were very heavy compared to the Zeiss, (sorry Paul; I know you love yours.) fabulous view though.

Joanne

 

[John M Robinson]

Quote "Leica 8x32's were very heavy compared to the Zeiss, (sorry Paul; I know you love yours.) fabulous view though."

Actually I think the 8x32 Ultravids and 8x32 Zeiss are almost the exact same weight, around 19 oz. You may have tried the older Trinovid which weighs around 22 oz. Not trying to talk you out of the Zeiss, I just didn't want you to eliminate the Ultravids based on weight. I think they are the most compact and equal to the lightest of the Alpha 32mm sized bins.

John

 

[Alexis Powell]

Actually I think the 8x32 Ultravids and 8x32 Zeiss are almost the exact same weight, around 19 oz. ...

The Ultravids "seem" heavy compared to the FLs to some casual testers because they are more compact. They weigh about the same, but they are more dense.

--AP

 

[Kevin Conville]

I've never heard 8x32 Ultravids being cited as being too heavy before!
I have read on these forums people complaining they're too small and light, of all things.

I believe of the big 4 (Nikon thrown in) 8x32s, the Leica Uvids are actually the lightest Joanne. By a tiny bit.

 

[danehower]

Joanne - I am the proud owner of Zeiss 8x42 FL's and I can't say enough about them.:t: