Looking for some pocket binos I'm curious about the curios. (1 Viewer)

[Floriano]

man I’ve noticed people here are super sensitive. It’s why I don’t post much. Yes I ordered the curio that’s what this post is about. The person who started this post asked for opinions so I gave mine. So I don’t like the curio big deal, you do and that’s great. I ordered the curio because most on this forum loved the curio and acted as if it was way ahead of any other pocket bino. So I wanted to try it. I didn’t need a month to find out it wasn’t for me. The three main things I didn’t like about them were the 3mm exit pupil, the image was always dark, terrible ergonomics and they gave me a splitting headache immediately while looking through them. I understand that’s what comes with pocket binos hence the all suck compared to larger more friendly binos. While I find the forums here mostly great some of y’all act like we are talking about your first born ha.

really seems it was not made for your eyes - because, dark? no, dark is everything, but not the curio....

yesterday i was watching hills and seaside from a mountain, and was switching beteween 32 els and the curio, and of course a bigger is much more powerful, but when i deep dive into the curioworld and stick to it, its so bright and fine, its a joy to bring such a beauty everywhere you go

btw: if someone still searching for a waterproof and way more packable pocket for the curio, the Hama is the way to go

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B002L4Q61U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Scott98]

Yes I ordered the curio that’s what this post is about. The person who started this post asked for opinions so I gave mine.

Sometimes you have to dig a little to find the negative reviews - I posted somewhere that the Curio and all other pocket binos just don't work for me and my face/eyes. I don't want to keep harping on it because I could see that the Curio is a high quality piece of engineering and I still liked the product, just not for me, for the all the reasons you cited.

 

[fazalmajid]

GrandpaTom, i want to buy a airplane ticket, rent a nice American car and visit this place now.

Same here. I am ashamed to admit despite having lived 19 years in the Bay Area, I've never been up the coast further North than Bodega Bay.

I've compared the Curios against the 8x20 Ultravid and while they are brighter and have slightly better ergonomics, I found them largely comparable. Going to the Zeiss 8x25 Victory Pocket is a big step up in usability, as long as you wear glasses. The Zeiss are not really pocket binoculars, however, jacket pocket at best. I started with pocket binoculars (Trinovid 8x20 then Ultravid 8x20) but I hardly ever use them today, it's either monoculars or the Zeiss 8x25 as EDC.

The new Zeiss SFL 8x30 are also going to be one to watch.

 

[corvid-8]

Same here. I am ashamed to admit despite having lived 19 years in the Bay Area, I've never been up the coast further North than Bodega Bay.

Is that because of that incident in the 1960s when those "Birds" were attacking people.

 

[fazalmajid]

Well, then I would definitely not have gone to Bodega Bay. The lure was watching a whale migration off Bodega Head, as my wife is very fond of them, so binoculars were involved.

 

[pm42]

I've compared the Curios against the 8x20 Ultravid and while they are brighter and have slightly better ergonomics, I found them largely comparable.

My experience is different: the wider FOV of the Curios avoid the tunnel vision of the Ultravid but I prefer Leica ergonomics & rubber armor.

Going to the Zeiss 8x25 Victory Pocket is a big step up in usability, as long as you wear glasses.

Once again, different experience: I wear glasses and to me, the VP & Curio are the same.

 

[GrampaTom]

Well, then I would definitely not have gone to Bodega Bay. The lure was watching a whale migration off Bodega Head, as my wife is very fond of them, so binoculars were involved.

So have you gone to the Pierce Point Ranch near McClure beach, just south of Bodega Bay? You walk the trail that goes about 4 miles to a point with Tomales Bay to the right, and the Pacific on the left, (west). At the end you're looking to where the two bodies of water join and looking out across to Bodega Bay. See this: mcclure ranch tomales bay. Or here: Mcclure ranch tomales bay

The reason to do this, especially in September is the end of the mating season for the Tule Elk herd that roams freely all over Pt Reyes National Seashore and can be found along these trails.. Yes, it aint birds.... well can be to, but sometimes, you just gotta try somethin else. This fall we had a 14 point bull tending 16 cows, with a couple yearlings in tow. Got to within 50 yards or so. Had a lovely very healthy looking pair of Coyotes frolicking till they got tired of us and wandered on down the trail.

Gazing into a herd of bulls just chilling after the migration is a thing to behold. Antlers everywhere like tree limbs in a dense forest. 10X and sitting on bit of high ground allows you to figure which points belong on which main beam of which critter.

 

[fazalmajid]

Sadly I’ve moved to London since, and no longer partaking of the wonders of Northern California. What I miss most is the mated pair of Anna’s hummingbirds that nested in a tree near my San Francisco house and would often be there to welcome me back from work. I have robins and great tits here, as well as the occasional woodpecker, but it’s not the same.

 

[Brumfield5026]

What do you mean I don’t know how to use binoculars? Binoculars have to be the simplest instrument in the world to use. Why I got a headache? I have no idea. Were the ones I tried broken? I have no idea they didn’t seem to be. I have owned the Swarovski 8x25 and it was decent but still not to my liking. It was way better than the curio. I currently use a Swarovski el 8x32 and a Leica noctivid 8x42. I don’t think what you give up in image quality is worth having a small bino that will always be with you. I pretty much know when I need a binocular or not. My intention was to carry the curio in my turkey vest as to save weight while hunting. Maybe in another 10 years I’ll revisit some new pocket bino. Until then y’all can have em.

 

[pm42]

What do you mean I don’t know how to use binoculars?

Everybody and I mean everybody found the Curios to be bright. You found them dark.

Binoculars have to be the simplest instrument in the world to use.

They are not. Maybe this is where the problem stands: because you think that, you never learned to use them properly.

Why I got a headache? I have no idea. Were the ones I tried broken? I have no idea they didn’t seem to be.

Usually, people experienced with binoculars are able to say if the one they use are broken or not and when they end up with a headache, they have an idea why.

I have owned the Swarovski 8x25 and it was decent but still not to my liking. It was way better than the curio. I currently use a Swarovski el 8x32 and a Leica noctivid 8x42.

Owning things is just not a proof of expertise.

 

[John M Robinson]

What do you mean I don’t know how to use binoculars? Binoculars have to be the simplest instrument in the world to use. Why I got a headache? I have no idea. Were the ones I tried broken? I have no idea they didn’t seem to be. I have owned the Swarovski 8x25 and it was decent but still not to my liking. It was way better than the curio. I currently use a Swarovski el 8x32 and a Leica noctivid 8x42. I don’t think what you give up in image quality is worth having a small bino that will always be with you. I pretty much know when I need a binocular or not. My intention was to carry the curio in my turkey vest as to save weight while hunting. Maybe in another 10 years I’ll revisit some new pocket bino. Until then y’all can have em.

I’m not going to insult you by arguing that you are wrong, I assume you know what you like and what you don’t like. I believe headaches are most likely caused by out of collimation binoculars. That’s the only thing I can think of, headaches from viewing are an extreme thing.

I totally get you drawing the line at 32 size binocs, I did too. I had tried Leica and Swarovski pocket binos years ago and pretty much instantly decided they weren’t practical. Maybe James Bond could pull a pair out of his tuxedo pocket to sneak a peek of Goldfingers complex, but for actual long term use they are a pain. You feel strongly that the Curios are in the same boat, the rest of us perceive a huge difference.

I own Leica 7x35 Retrovids, 8x42 Ultravids, 8x32 and 10x42 Nikon SEs, I spent hours comparing the 7x21s side by side with my 7x35s, the Trinovids 5 mm exit pupil definitely is a bit easier than the 3mm Curios, but it was way closer than you would think. And the Curios were brighter and maybe a tiny bit sharper. I was stunned. That’s just my experience, yours is obviously different.

 

[Elpha8888]

I can get headaches with collimated binoculars or at the very least eye strain. I have found issues with certain Zeiss modrls and also had an issue with one Leica.
Swarovski have always been the most forgiving, just to add I've had plenty of £100 models that give no issue either.

 

[Elpha8888]

The Curios are excellent by day, no good for any serious lowlight work but ok for a quick look.

 

[kurt753]

Es scheint wirklich nicht für deine Augen gemacht zu sein - denn dunkel? nein, dunkel ist alles, aber nicht die Kuriosität....

gestern habe ich von einem berg aus hügel und meer beobachtet und zwischen 32 els und dem Kuriosum gewechselt, und natürlich ist ein größerer viel stärker, aber wenn ich tief in die Welt der Kuriositäten eintauche und dabei bleibe, ist es so hell und fein, Es ist eine Freude, eine solche Schönheit überall hin mitzunehmen

btw: falls jemand immer noch nach einer wasserdichten und wesentlich besser verpackbaren tasche für die Kuriosität sucht, ist die Hama die richtige Wahl

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B002L4Q61U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ICH habe mir diese Tasche für das 7x21 gekauft, sie passt nicht ist zu klein.

 

[Floriano]

Gibts doch nicht Kurt!
Hab sie auf Empfehlung aus einem anderen Forum gekauft, bei mir mir passt sie und begleitet mich täglich!

Btw:
Those go with me often on a trail run, and there is no fog building or anything, really happy how it works out with those lil companions

 

[kurt753]

Hallo Floriano,
mit ein wenig Gewalt hat es funktioniert. Das Fernglas kann sich innen dann nicht mehr bewegen, und ich weiß auch
nicht wie lange der Reißverschluss das mitmacht.

Mod translation:
Hello Floriano,
with a little force it worked. The binoculars can then no longer move inside, and I know that too
not how long the zipper can keep up.

 

[Trinovid]

ICH habe mir diese Tasche für das 7x21 gekauft, sie passt nicht ist zu klein.

英語で書いてくれませんか？

 

[Brumfield5026]

Everybody and I mean everybody found the Curios to be bright. You found them dark.


They are not. Maybe this is where the problem stands: because you think that, you never learned to use them properly.


Usually, people experienced with binoculars are able to say if the one they use are broken or not and when they end up with a headache, they have an idea why.


Owning things is just not a proof of expertise.

Yeah you’re right I’m an idiot. You know everything about me. Owning things is definitely not proof of expertise.I mentioned three binoculars like that would be some sort of amazing collection. Binoculars don’t have to be broken to cause strain or headache and the fact that you think they do says you don’t really understand everything. Plus the fact that you think binoculars are complicated to use says all I need to know about your expertise. Actually who in the world ever said binoculars are hard to use geez. I never said I was an expert but I have used binoculars since I was around 15 years old for fun and hunting. I’m 40 now and for the last 14 years I have used binoculars every single work day for hours at a time at my professional job. So yeah I know just a little about binoculars. Fact is pocket binoculars suck for anything other than a quick glance at something during good daylight viewing hours.

 

[John M Robinson]

Yeah you’re right I’m an idiot. You know everything about me. Owning things is definitely not proof of expertise.I mentioned three binoculars like that would be some sort of amazing collection. Binoculars don’t have to be broken to cause strain or headache and the fact that you think they do says you don’t really understand everything. Plus the fact that you think binoculars are complicated to use says all I need to know about your expertise. Actually who in the world ever said binoculars are hard to use geez. I never said I was an expert but I have used binoculars since I was around 15 years old for fun and hunting. I’m 40 now and for the last 14 years I have used binoculars every single work day for hours at a time at my professional job. So yeah I know just a little about binoculars. Fact is pocket binoculars suck for anything other than a quick glance at something during good daylight viewing hours.

I have no doubt regarding your ability to use binoculars nd clearly pocket binos are not your cup of tea to say the least, but they certainly don’t suck. You hate them, I get that, and I actually feel the same way to a lesser degree about pocket binos in general, most of them are barely adequate, they would work if that’s all you were able to carry, but certainly no where close to a 32 size binocular.

Where you and I differ is our opinion of the 7x21 Curios. To me the Curios are way closer to 30-32 size compacts than pocket binos. They punch way above their weight. I have a pair of 7x35 Retrovids that for the past year have been my favorite, every day driver binocs. I sat down for two hours comparing the Leica’s and Curios side by side. Not really fair comparing a 5mm exit pupil with a 3mm ep, but the little Curios hung with the Trinovids and we’re even slightly sharper and brighter, but the biggest thing was how easily the lined up with my eyes. Every other pocket bino was very finicky in the regard, not the Curios, they are surprisingly easy. Obviously with a 3mm ep they aren’t meant for dawn-dusk situations, but they are very serviceable for everything else. I’m not trying to convince you of anything, only saying we’re all different, different eyes, face shapes etc.

 

[Trinovid]

Fact is pocket binoculars suck for anything other than a quick glance at something during good daylight viewing hours.

Get over yourself already. Fact is, the thing that sucks the most is your posting manner.

Many others here don't care for pocket binoculars and yet are still able to acknowledge they're a great tool for others. The fact that you spew trolling statements like this suggests that you're never fun to be around, and it's probably deliberate.