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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CliveP" data-source="post: 3369628" data-attributes="member: 85835">The Carson 8x22 worked well today. I tried to use it and the Vistron equally to get a comparison and reaquaint myself with he Vistron as I've been changing bins so much lately.They were both very good and I only missed the Kowa SV a little but I've decided I need that here by me always at the window and I can't be bothered attaching a strap to take it along. I probably need another one of these 8x32 SV but the Carson and Vistron were good enough to do the job very well and actually difficult to pick a winner between them as they both  have a different view and strengths. The Carson is wide and sharp but with some distortion that requires very precise ipd setting to reduce it as much as possible but maybe that's just with this particular one but once you get your eyes in and forget about it then it's all good. The Vistron is a sort of mini Kowa SV view with a bit narrower fov than the Carson but seems to have better dof, it's just such a great compact bin and great for watching the frogs having orgies all over the place today at my local reserve.I think the first bird I spotted with the Carson today was a Kingfisher coming towards me and under the bridge and out the other side and I was able to follow it the whole time so quite impressive for a $35 dollar bin in fact rather amazing. That's one bin were the price very much underrepresents the performance. Also probably best ever view of a treecreeper feeding on something in the moss on the old bridge. Just sitting in the light coming through the trees and super clear with the Carson, enough to see the beauty in the feather colours and patterns but I was only 20ft or so away so surprised it wasn't bothered by me being around.So a good test today and I'm feeling that either of these are good enough for me in the good light seasons now arriving and I don't need look any further which is handy as I am pretty skint at the moment.I think I will probably pack the Vistron and the Carson 7x18 for most of my upcoming outings. I think the Carson 7x18 is more impressive than the 8x22 as far as wow view but I think I did get some kind of strangely good one. The 8x22 is better for distance so I may grab it on it's own from time to time and maybe the 10x25 Hawke Endurance also.The FL is a super bin and if you didn't find anything else less expensive to your liking then I think it was a good choice. I'm well happy with my larger /medium bins, it's always been the smaller stuff that I find the most difficult but I think I'm satisfied there now also and in future would definitely look again at these reverse porro type bins and something like my Vistron. Even my kind of blurry 8x22U Visionary is somehow a sort of entertaining view and hangs brilliantly around the neck using the long lanyard from my Optima monocular. My collection is a happy one  excepting you know what but I just use the Bresser now from the bedroom to view the distant mountains or football stadium next door and it's ok for that I suppose but it still has to go sometime. It's just not in the team.8-P I sort of hoped it would have broken or something but the damn thing seems pretty reliable. I did mention to my sister if she would like to have the Bresser but she's already happy with the crap Olympus 8x21 I gave her. Unlike us she has absolutely no desire for a better view?</blockquote>

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