How far and how much improvement? (1 Viewer)

[WJC]

But it’s such fun to be a snob!

Richard

Ha! You can't be a snob! ... You're still speaking to me. 'Course you never had any taste, anyway.

Bless you, Richard

 

[Rg548]

250222

The Nikon 8x32 SE was one of the first binos to be awarded the childish “ALPHA” designation. I have one, but don’t use it. Although a blessing to use, it is now out of production. This means those lower on the IQ scale may consider it obsolete. After all newer and more expensive most be far superior ... right? Mine is in the closet to be given to my daughter at a later date. When I bought it, I could have had ANY of the best (and most expensive) binoculars in the world. Most were in just one of my 5 display cases at Captain’s.

My birdwatching binocular is now a Bausch & Lomb (Bushnell) 8x40 Legacy bought from eBay. Its image is bright, contrasty, has a wide field, and before I sold my collimator, it proved to be a fraction of its need for collimation. The only thing it lacked was—drum roll, please—BRAGGING RIGHTS, which I have never had the need for (preposition at the end and all)!

Being an egotist, I think having been in professional optics for over 50 years, repair, engineering, Chief Opticalman for the US Navy, optical department head in the civilian world, optical author, and having repaired and/or collimated something over 12,000 binoculars I have a right to that opinion.

I rush on to say that those lacking experience or who think having bragging rights elevates them above their peers, are being well-served and the following does NOT apply to you.

“I have found the key to happiness—stay away from idiots.”— Morgan Freeman (attributed)

Finally, for my many friends on Birdforum—both of them—The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated ... Well, partially, somewhat, or occasionally exaggerated, anyway. At least temporally.

Cheers, Bill

Wow.... nice to see your arrogance has risen to the same degree as your knowledge.
Alpha is a widely used term to signify 'the best'... nothing more, nothing less.
Most people who buy nice optics do so because they appreciate them, or want to treat themselves.... NOT for bragging rights... and don't need to be labelled by you, or anyone else for doing so.
Enjoy the rest of your day, and please be careful when you step down off that soap box.

 

[tenex]

...those lower on the IQ scale...

Lower than what? Why are all these offensive posts exactly the same each time?

Binoculars are purely a matter of personal taste, there's nothing more to be read into it.

 

[limonabe]

Good to see you're still well and kickin' WJC!

It's a real shame, however, that a man with your knowledge and experience, who could truly be one of this forum's best resources, chooses to pop in occasionally only to insult the rest of us.

 

[Patudo]

"AND HOW MANY BINOCULARS HAVE YOU SERVICED IN THE LAST 50 YEARS????!!!" coming in 3..., 2...,

 

[WJC]

250224

“The enemy of KNOWLEDGE is not ignorance. It is the ILLUSION of knowledge.” — Dr. Stephen Hawking

Although long-winded, I will cut to the chase as best I can. With this being my last post, I think I have the right.

I CARE FOR EACH AND EVERY BINOCULAR USER, WHETHER NEWBIE’S NEWBIE OR POST DOC. ALL DESERVE THAT RESPECT.

So, why have I been so crotchety? Have tried to explain more than once and I will do so one last time. The humble (teachable) need no extra explanation. The others, well.

“Any fool can know. The point is to UNDERSTAND!” — Albert Einstein

I learned a long time ago that speaking/writing in a casual, friendly, way does not get the job done that I want to do. My road has been rough—self-inflicted—for me, but it has been helpful for those wanting to be helped on understanding. Example:

“When I first came to this forum [Cloudy Nights], I thought you were the biggest jerk in the world. Since then, I have used several binoculars and spent a lot of time on the forum. I see you have been right about things straight down the line. You have taught me a lot and I thank you.” — mttafire

That was always my goal and many of the heavy hitters on this and other forums who know my whys and wherefores and are friends: Lee Thicketts, Dr. Holger Merlitz, Dr. Ed Huff, Pinewood, Dr. Gijs van Ginkel, Jan van Daalin, Steve Cheyne, Richard Gaskill, Gary Hawkins, and several dozen more. Are all these people nuts? OR do they just know and respect my program?

I have only been back to the thread to take my beating once. But in so doing, I came across two points loosely relating to binoculars that I would like to set right.

First, one member of the forum states that “alpha” merely refers to the very best of binoculars.

So, the question I have for this member is who is qualified to quantify that? My 50+ years in the discipline certainly doesn’t give me the right. Who then has the right to say? That designation is totally subjective and changes with each person, what day it is, what time of day it is, and just what article the judge has read or what conversation he or she has just had. Thus, from my perspective it truly was “childish;” meaning only it was not well thought out. It quantifies nothing but one person’s opinion—which might be different ... tomorrow!

Secondly, another member points out that it may be possible to have both focusing mechanisms read the same. Yet, what good would that be? Scientifically, only 2 to 3% of the population have the same dioptric strength in each eye. Thus, having such focus mechanisms would just insure that the observer would very rarely have his or her view in focus.

I believe each observer has the right to believe what he or she wants to believe. I just want them to know the options in getting there.

BLESS YOU ALL, GOODBYE!

 

[Rg548]

Well what a shame to lose your knowledge. Genuinely.. People like you are needed here.

But this is a forum for people who have an interest in binoculars.
We do not need to be lectured or talked down to because our knowledge isn't in the same league as yours.
I very much suspect, your expertise will be missed, but I doubt your attitude will be.

Hey.... perhaps a week in charm school.... then pop back and join in... just a suggestion

Whatever you do, take care, enjoy life.

 

[Patudo]

I very much suspect, your expertise will be missed,

Really? How many modern alphas top tier roof prism binoculars has W** worked on in the last decade? How many of us really rely on the kind of binocular he's spent most of his (no doubt considerable - I'm not disputing that) time at the bench working on? How many of us have gone off to build Mk V collimators and adjust all our binoculars into collimation? The great majority of W**'s posts are nothing more than tirades in some shape or form, normally with a generous helping of self-promotion.

 

[Thotmosis]

250224

“The enemy of KNOWLEDGE is not ignorance. It is the ILLUSION of knowledge.” — Dr. Stephen Hawking

Although long-winded, I will cut to the chase as best I can. With this being my last post, I think I have the right.

I CARE FOR EACH AND EVERY BINOCULAR USER, WHETHER NEWBIE’S NEWBIE OR POST DOC. ALL DESERVE THAT RESPECT.

So, why have I been so crotchety? Have tried to explain more than once and I will do so one last time. The humble (teachable) need no extra explanation. The others, well.

“Any fool can know. The point is to UNDERSTAND!” — Albert Einstein

I learned a long time ago that speaking/writing in a casual, friendly, way does not get the job done that I want to do. My road has been rough—self-inflicted—for me, but it has been helpful for those wanting to be helped on understanding. Example:

“When I first came to this forum [Cloudy Nights], I thought you were the biggest jerk in the world. Since then, I have used several binoculars and spent a lot of time on the forum. I see you have been right about things straight down the line. You have taught me a lot and I thank you.” — mttafire

That was always my goal and many of the heavy hitters on this and other forums who know my whys and wherefores and are friends: Lee Thicketts, Dr. Holger Merlitz, Dr. Ed Huff, Pinewood, Dr. Gijs van Ginkel, Jan van Daalin, Steve Cheyne, Richard Gaskill, Gary Hawkins, and several dozen more. Are all these people nuts? OR do they just know and respect my program?

I have only been back to the thread to take my beating once. But in so doing, I came across two points loosely relating to binoculars that I would like to set right.

First, one member of the forum states that “alpha” merely refers to the very best of binoculars.

So, the question I have for this member is who is qualified to quantify that? My 50+ years in the discipline certainly doesn’t give me the right. Who then has the right to say? That designation is totally subjective and changes with each person, what day it is, what time of day it is, and just what article the judge has read or what conversation he or she has just had. Thus, from my perspective it truly was “childish;” meaning only it was not well thought out. It quantifies nothing but one person’s opinion—which might be different ... tomorrow!

Secondly, another member points out that it may be possible to have both focusing mechanisms read the same. Yet, what good would that be? Scientifically, only 2 to 3% of the population have the same dioptric strength in each eye. Thus, having such focus mechanisms would just insure that the observer would very rarely have his or her view in focus.

I believe each observer has the right to believe what he or she wants to believe. I just want them to know the options in getting there.

BLESS YOU ALL, GOODBYE!

View attachment 1630223View attachment 1630224

Im sorry but I don’t understand this post. What did you eat for diner? I had pork sausages with fried patatoes and green beans. For desert i had a fancy icecream: cocos-melon. It was a nice diner. And then i checked in at Birdforum and read this strange post. I sincerely think you didn’t eat a proper meal and got so grumpy. This can happen, it happens to me all the time so i want you to have a nice meal and reconsider your decision.

Greetings from the Netherlands

 

[Scott98]

250224

“The enemy of KNOWLEDGE is not ignorance. It is the ILLUSION of knowledge.” — Dr. Stephen Hawking


First, one member of the forum states that “alpha” merely refers to the very best of binoculars.

There's one thing I can explain to you about binoculars - and only one thing I"m sure - "alpha" means the most expensive binoculars. And that's all it means! Once you understand that, it's a very useful and accurate term

 

[carpincho]

You are discussing something which cannot be quantified.

“Justify the price difference” How do you measure this, and justify it to whom?

How is your eyesight, will you be able to see a difference in optical performance?

Does it feel better in your hands, look more graceful, come in a more attractive color?

Only you can answer these questions, and only for yourself.

Alpha binos with IS will be the future I think (and I hope !)...

Yes, but who will be making them and at what price? I was referring to product evolution and resulting comparisons. Will Asian producers continue to be inferior to European "alphas"? I doubt it, but this may require some more years. Still, it seems inevitable, along with the decline of Europe, particularly the western part.

 

[carpincho]

250222

The Nikon 8x32 SE was one of the first binos to be awarded the childish “ALPHA” designation. I have one, but don’t use it. Although a blessing to use, it is now out of production. This means those lower on the IQ scale may consider it obsolete. After all newer and more expensive most be far superior ... right? Mine is in the closet to be given to my daughter at a later date. When I bought it, I could have had ANY of the best (and most expensive) binoculars in the world. Most were in just one of my 5 display cases at Captain’s.

My birdwatching binocular is now a Bausch & Lomb (Bushnell) 8x40 Legacy bought from eBay. Its image is bright, contrasty, has a wide field, and before I sold my collimator, it proved to be a fraction of its need for collimation. The only thing it lacked was—drum roll, please—BRAGGING RIGHTS, which I have never had the need for (preposition at the end and all)!

Being an egotist, I think having been in professional optics for over 50 years, repair, engineering, Chief Opticalman for the US Navy, optical department head in the civilian world, optical author, and having repaired and/or collimated something over 12,000 binoculars I have a right to that opinion.

I rush on to say that those lacking experience or who think having bragging rights elevates them above their peers, are being well-served and the following does NOT apply to you.

“I have found the key to happiness—stay away from idiots.”— Morgan Freeman (attributed)

Finally, for my many friends on Birdforum—both of them—The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated ... Well, partially, somewhat, or occasionally exaggerated, anyway. At least temporally.

Cheers, Bill

I agree fully with you regarding braggarts. I have some very good Bausch and Lomb products which serve me well, in addition to Bushnell Customs, Celestron Ultimas and various Swift Items. Many thanks for your frankness.

 

[carpincho]

There's one thing I can explain to you about binoculars - and only one thing I"m sure - "alpha" means the most expensive binoculars. And that's all it means! Once you understand that, it's a very useful and accurate term

A frank and sensible comment. I congratulate you.

 

[laurencejackson]

I agree, I feel the future is IS, its just the next logical progression and seeing what my OM lenses can do, I think it will be a game changer.