Is it worth to buy the Swarovski curio 7x21 if i already have a Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25? (1 Viewer)

[SanderBird82]

Hi Bino lovers,

I am new here as a member. I am from the Netherlands. I am a nature lover. I am reading this forum for months now. I like it. I love reading and learning about binoculairs and i am very impressed about the knowledge and experiences here.

Can u help me with some advice? I understand its a luxury "problem".
Last year i developed a love for binoculairs. I got my first alpha a Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 and i love it. I love also compact ones. I bought a Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25 as my second.

Long time i was in doubt buying the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25 or Swarovski Curio 7x21.
I tried both (too) short time in shop. And i bought the Zeiss. I really love this one. I love to sharp view and perfect ergonomics for me. But its not really pocketalble because of the size with the single hinge and vurnible dioptre button.

But i cant get the small Curio out of my head, because it looks so lovely and is more pockeble.

Is it worth to buy the Curio en have them both?
VP for longer time bird watching and Curio for parks, citytrips. Occasionally?
Or too close to each other?

Another option is the Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA for this purpose. I think Leica Ultravid 8x20 is too expensive, and for that money i prefer the Curio.

What do you think? Or what are your experiences?

Thanks

Thanks

 

[pm42]

I had the VP 8x25 and liked them a lot. But as you say, they are not really pocketable. So I bought the Curio to try them.
A few months later, I sold the Zeiss.

BTW, I also have the Trinovid and the Ultravid. I should sell them too because as good and likeable as they are, I know I will always use the Curio instead.

 

[SanderBird82]

Ik had de VP 8x25 en vond ze erg fijn. Maar zoals je zegt, ze zijn niet echt zakformaat. Dus kocht ik de Curio om ze te proberen.
Een paar maanden later verkocht ik de Zeiss.

BTW, ik heb ook de Trinovid en de Ultravid. Die zou ik ook moeten verkopen, want hoe goed en aardig ze ook zijn, ik weet dat ik altijd de Curio zal gebruiken.

Tanks for answering.
You dont miss the 8 power?
Can u use the Curio for same purpose? Longer time bird watching?

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

SanderBird82: ''Is it worth to buy the Swarovski curio 7x21 if i already have a Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25?''

​

No but you can return your Zeiss and pay less for the Curio.

You already have a superb alpha, next to that I would go for a real pocket. For 16 years I have the Swarovski 8x20. Fantastic binos but It is a bit like looking through a tunnel. Enter... the Curio, I tried it out in a shop and this little bugger seems to have it all when you want a pocket. Easier eye placement for instance.

Since you live in the Netherlands, the best place for this: House of Outdoor in Maarssen. The owner understands our typical birder problems, concerns, needs, preferences. He knows how binos are built, you can test them for hours if you have to decide between models.

 

[mwhogue]

@SanderBird82

None of us can answer that question for you. I have the Curio, the Trinovid 8x20 BC and the VP 8x25. I like to have all three of them because the Curio and the Trinovid are truly "pocketable" but the VP, while compact but not pocketable, handles for me as well as any mid size 30/32 mm bin. The only way for you to know is to try all three yourself and see whether you use one (or any two of them) more than the others.

If I had to pick one, it would be the Curio because it is practically as small as the Trinovid, pocketable unlike the VP and has a wider FOV than either.

Strictly as a person who always wants to have the best bin with me given the limitations, IMO yes it is worth having both the VP 8x25 and a nice 8x20 or the Curio but admit this is a distinctly minority view.

Mike

 

[pm42]

You dont miss the 8 power?

Quite the opposite: the 7 power gives a more comfortable view and I hardly see a difference.

Can u use the Curio for same purpose? Longer time bird watching?

I would not. In such cases, I will take something even more comfortable. Usually these days, this is the SFL 8x40 because it is compact and light but for real serious use, it is the NL Pure 8x42.

 

[Trinovid]

You dont miss the 8 power?
Can u use the Curio for same purpose?

I've simultaneously carried my Curio and 8x20 Ultravid and don't notice any difference so much as the easier scene-lock, and hue differentiation, where the Leica is warmer and the Curio slightly greenish. Both are totally interchangeable and any noticeable difference tends to disappear rather quickly.

 

[forent]

(...) i cant get the small Curio out of my head, because it looks so lovely and is more pockeble.

Is it worth to buy the Curio en have them both?
VP for longer time bird watching and Curio for parks, citytrips. Occasionally?
Or too close to each other?

Another option is the Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA for this purpose. I think Leica Ultravid 8x20 is too expensive, and for that money i prefer the Curio. (...)

My very personal answer would be easy: NO. They are too close together IMHO and I like the idea of "simplify your life".
But that's just me. It seems that you WANT to buy another compact bino (why else would you mention the Leicas at the end).

Hence: just do it! It's your money, it's your preferences and you don't need the blessing of unknown people.

 

[MikeRottier]

If you want it and you can afford it, buy it. You don't need us to give you excuses for buying nice toys

 

[Swedpat]

I reason like this: I would not justify to have both. They are close in size, magnification and brightness.
8x25 provides better hold comfort but is still not comfortable as a mid or full size binocular. And does not fit in some pockets which the 7x21 does.
If I already had 8x25 and would be satisfied with it, I would not justify to get even the 7x21 in order to keep both.
I consider to get Curio 7x21 and think it is a great companion to my Zeiss SFL 8x30, which is a mid sized model, pretty compact but has a hold comfort superior to any double hing compact.

Whatever, that's just me. If you appreciate both 7x21 and 8x25, why not?

 

[SanderBird82]

SanderBird82: ''Is it worth to buy the Swarovski curio 7x21 if i already have a Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25?''

​

No but you can return your Zeiss and pay less for the Curio.

You already have a superb alpha, next to that I would go for a real pocket. For 16 years I have the Swarovski 8x20. Fantastic binos but It is a bit like looking through a tunnel. Enter... the Curio, I tried it out in a shop and this little bugger seems to have it all when you want a pocket. Easier eye placement for instance.

Since you live in the Netherlands, the best place for this: House of Outdoor in Maarssen. The owner understands our typical birder problems, concerns, needs, preferences. He knows how binos are built, you can test them for hours if you have to decide between models.

Thanks for your advice.
I read a lot about the knowledge of Jan van Dalen and House of Outdoor. Very impressive.

The Curio is more expensive than VP here in the Netherlands. I wil try the Curio again. And then decide what i do.

 

[SanderBird82]

I reason like this: I would not justify to have both. They are close in size, magnification and brightness.
8x25 provides better hold comfort but is still not comfortable as a mid or full size binocular. And does not fit in some pockets which the 7x21 does.
If I already had 8x25 and would be satisfied with it, I would not justify to get even the 7x21 in order to keep both.
I consider to get Curio 7x21 and think it is a great companion to my Zeiss SFL 8x30, which is a mid sized model, pretty compact but has a hold comfort superior to any double hing compact.

Whatever, that's just me. If you appreciate both 7x21 and 8x25, why not?

Yes you're right.

But i love the handling of VP. Ergonomics.
I i need bigger i ll take my 8x42 NL Pure.
8x30 would be great probably. But those and a pocket is too expensive for me.

But i understand your choices.

 

[SanderBird82]

My very personal answer would be easy: NO. They are too close together IMHO and I like the idea of "simplify your life".
But that's just me. It seems that you WANT to buy another compact bino (why else would you mention the Leicas at the end).

Hence: just do it! It's your money, it's your preferences and you don't need the blessing of unknown people.

My very personal answer would be easy: NO. They are too close together IMHO and I like the idea of "simplify your life".
But that's just me. It seems that you WANT to buy another compact bino (why else would you mention the Leicas at the end).

Hence: just do it! It's your money, it's your preferences and you don't need the blessing of unknown people.

Yes i guess i want both 😀
I love the VP. But curio maybe also. I think i really need to try the Curio again. And then decide.

 

[SanderBird82]

Quite the opposite: the 7 power gives a more comfortable view and I hardly see a difference.


I would not. In such cases, I will take something even more comfortable. Usually these days, this is the SFL 8x40 because it is compact and light but for real serious use, it is the NL Pure 8x42.

Dont you think 8x40 is too close to 8x42?
Sure its ligher bino

 

[SanderBird82]

@SanderBird82

None of us can answer that question for you. I have the Curio, the Trinovid 8x20 BC and the VP 8x25. I like to have all three of them because the Curio and the Trinovid are truly "pocketable" but the VP, while compact but not pocketable, handles for me as well as any mid size 30/32 mm bin. The only way for you to know is to try all three yourself and see whether you use one (or any two of them) more than the others.

If I had to pick one, it would be the Curio because it is practically as small as the Trinovid, pocketable unlike the VP and has a wider FOV than either.

Strictly as a person who always wants to have the best bin with me given the limitations, IMO yes it is worth having both the VP 8x25 and a nice 8x20 or the Curio but admit this is a distinctly minority view.

Mike

I can understand what u are saying.

 

[SanderBird82]

If you want it and you can afford it, buy it. You don't need us to give you excuses for buying nice toys

Thats true.
I guess my wife is not happy about my new obsession 🙈

I will try Curio again in real life. Now longer

 

[pm42]

Dont you think 8x40 is too close to 8x42?
Sure its ligher bino

Yes it is but this is a practical matter. The SFL 8x40 is small and light enough to fit in my travel and hiking backpack with the photo gear. And my wife loves it.
So this is my default choice and it is good enough that I never regret taking them.

Of course the NL Pure is better, I prefer them and will take it when they will be my main "tool" instead of my camera.
If I had to keep only one, it would be the SFL as a photographer. If I were a pure birder, it would be the NL Pure.

 

[SanderBird82]

The VP could work like a 30/32
The Curio not i guess
But fits better in pocket 🤔

Very difficult

 

[Swedpat]

Dont you think 8x40 is too close to 8x42?
Sure its ligher bino

My personal opinion is that they are too close. You need to do a very careful comparison side by side to maybe notice a VERY slight difference in brightness.
It's a like comparing magnification between 10 and 11x. It would not be justified to get both a 10x42 and a 11x42.

 

[SanderBird82]

Mijn persoonlijke mening is dat ze te dicht bij elkaar liggen. Je moet ze heel zorgvuldig naast elkaar vergelijken om misschien een HEEL klein verschil in helderheid op te merken.
Het is ook de vergroting tussen 10 en 11x. Het zou niet gezamenlijk zijn om zowel een 10x42 als een 11x42 te nemen.

I think even 8 and 10 power are too close to each other to justify to pay for both alpha', dont you think?