New low light weatherproof binoculars (2 Viewers)

[Paultricounty]

Does Vortex focus CW or CCW to infinity? (My caution list of CCW includes GPO, Maven, Tract; feel free to add.)

CCW (like Zeiss & GPO) and slow focuser about 2.75 revolutions, which Is a lot. Very smooth with good feel/feedback. Excellent close focus, one of the best 8x42‘s at a tad over four feet. The interesting thing is that close focus to about 30 feet takes up most of the focus travel, about two revolutions, then from 30 feet (give or take a few feet) to infinity is a little over a half turn. So under most observing conditions it kind of feels like a fast focuser. If that makes sense.

Paul

 

[Rufus1401]

If you're birding (which seems like a silly question to ask, given the name of this website/forum, but so many folks in this Binoculars subsection don't seem to have any interest in birding, and some in fact actively despise birders), 7x50 and 8x56 are very specialist binoculars. Without meaning to teach you to suck eggs - it may be worth stepping back, before you get too deep into the minutiae of brands/models, and figuring out whether those formats are really needed for what you intend to do. Just like the 10x50 (like your Dekarem) has largely been replaced for birding by 10x42s with better coatings, 7x50 is now very rarely used indeed. One used to see the odd pair of 8x56 Dialyt in the field, but that's very very seldom now.

Now if you are stalking, shooting, lamping, boating etc. the requirements may be different - but I dare say you'll get better advice at forums that focus on those activities. The Fujinon would certainly be a good choice for boating.

Currently my 10x50 CZJ are good during the summer and my Fujinon 16x70 are fab for long distance daytime and astronomy, but both aren’t brilliant for nighttime/lowlight, which is why I’m looking at good 7x50 or 8x56 Or possibly the Habicht 7x42. Currently my heart says Habicht but my head is saying Fujinon.

 

[chill6x6]

Imo it’s important not only to consider the objective size and magnification (exit pupal) but also the quality of the glass and coatings. I have/had quite a few inexpensive and mid priced 7x50’s that under low light we’re not better than a good 10x42.

This!!

 

[Patudo]

but both aren’t brilliant for nighttime/lowlight, which is why I’m looking at good 7x50 or 8x56

But what are you actually looking at? As some have mentioned upthread, 7x42 can be significantly outperformed by eg. 10x56 in low light - I find 7x mag can sometimes feel a little underpowered, and in bad light more magnification can be helpful when trying to find and identify birds. Of course if what you're looking at is big stuff like deer etc., or if you're doing astronomy at night, that's different.

unrelated question: how many current Zeiss binoculars focus counterclockwise to infinity?

 

[Paultricounty]

But what are you actually looking at? As some have mentioned upthread, 7x42 can be significantly outperformed by eg. 10x56 in low light - I find 7x mag can sometimes feel a little underpowered, and in bad light more magnification can be helpful when trying to find and identify birds. Of course if what you're looking at is big stuff like deer etc., or if you're doing astronomy at night, that's different.

unrelated question: how many current Zeiss binoculars focus counterclockwise to infinity?

I think all the Zeiss focus CCW. Maybe the MIC Terra doesn’t.

Correction: I’m wrong, just checked my SF it focuses CW, should’ve checked before I posted. 🙃🤷🏼‍♂️.

 

[Bentley03]

I think all the Zeiss focus CCW. Maybe the MIC Terra doesn’t.

Correction: I’m wrong, just checked my SF it focuses CW, should’ve checked before I posted. 🙃🤷🏼‍♂️.

Yes, I believe all of their current binocular range focus clockwise to infinity, as well as the previous two Victory models (FL's and HT's).

 

[Rufus1401]

But what are you actually looking at? As some have mentioned upthread, 7x42 can be significantly outperformed by eg. 10x56 in low light - I find 7x mag can sometimes feel a little underpowered, and in bad light more magnification can be helpful when trying to find and identify birds. Of course if what you're looking at is big stuff like deer etc., or if you're doing astronomy at night, that's different.

unrelated question: how many current Zeiss binoculars focus counterclockwise to infinity?

I intend using them for wildlife and birds, especially dawn and dusk, when I might get some foxes not to mention all the tweety birds etc, plane spotting both night and day, astronomy and ufo spotting, and dare I say I did take my last pair of 7x50 to haunted locations - much like wildlife, you are more likely to spot something it if doesnt know it’s being watched.

 

[Patudo]

I intend using them for wildlife and birds, especially dawn and dusk, when I might get some foxes not to mention all the tweety birds etc, plane spotting both night and day, astronomy and ufo spotting, and dare I say I did take my last pair of 7x50 to haunted locations - much like wildlife, you are more likely to spot something it if doesnt know it’s being watched.

I have no idea what the best binocular configuration might be for er... haunted locations, or UFOs, but reckon 7x mag will probably be all right for gamebird sized targets (especially if they are within reasonable distance) - but for smaller targets (songbirds etc) might start getting difficult in serious low light.

That's the other thing... folks don't often specify what they mean by low light, or even dawn/dusk - do you mean sunrise or sunset, or first light/last light, and will there be complicating factors such as shadows cast by trees? Observing waders and wildfowl on a wide open estuary at sunrise on a clear morning, with the light improving every minute, is going to be quite different to trying to spot things in a wooded area at last light with the light seemingly going every second. If the latter more accurately describes your viewing situation then you'll indeed require large objectives, and quality optics into the bargain (which if you're talking 8x56 can be pretty expensive). The Fujinon FMTR is certainly weatherproof and has an excellent reputation - if you need an 8x56 with similar qualities it might be worth scouring ebay etc for a Docter 8x56 (there is a standing joke here about this binocular having 100% light transmission, but it's genuinely very highly regarded) but you might need to be patient and be prepared go over your budget some.

 

[Rufus1401]

Thanks Patudo. Much appreciated. I’m usually an early bird myself, so I’m up and out sometimes when it’s still dark. As for budget - will have to see how much I can spend without setting off alarm bells the other half might notice.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks Patudo. Much appreciated. I’m usually an early bird myself, so I’m up and out sometimes when it’s still dark. As for budget - will have to see how much I can spend without setting off alarm bells the other half might notice.

The secret to keeping binocular purchases covert from your better half is to delete all the emails that might alert her to your purchases, especially delivery notices. Make SURE you delete them off her phone also! And on the day of the delivery, watch for the UPS truck, so they don't ring your doorbell and set the dog off.

 

[Patudo]

As for the accessories on the Swarovski's I too feel that objective covers should be included on the Habichts but the annoyance at their scrooge like policy gets long forgotten when you look through them. I bought a pair of Opticron covers for both my Habichts and they are perfect and cheap.

Funny thing is; I can remember when pretty much all binoculars didn't have objective covers. Zeiss's classic work horses, the Dialyts, didn't have them, a lot of older 7x50 marines don't seem to have them, and neither did the two classic Leitz and Leica Trinovid models. I use them on those binoculars that have them, but have never really missed them on those that didn't. Maybe I'd think differently if I lived in Wales though!

 

[PatR]

Funny thing is; I can remember when pretty much all binoculars didn't have objective covers. Zeiss's classic work horses, the Dialyts, didn't have them, a lot of older 7x50 marines don't seem to have them, and neither did the two classic Leitz and Leica Trinovid models. I use them on those binoculars that have them, but have never really missed them on those that didn't. Maybe I'd think differently if I lived in Wales though!

If you lived in Wales I believe you would! We don't have a second car, just a Royal Navy Surplus submarine to potter to the shops.

But you are right, most bino's of old didn't have objective covers. My Nikon HGL 10x25's have been in some interesting places and the objective lenses are pristine. But my wallet tells me to protect my newest and considerably more expensive glass so a few pounds is worth it for those that come without.

 

[Rufus1401]

Too right ! I was teaching in Pontypridd today. Someone had upset the weather Gods. Horrendous. Roads flooded and blocked. Some of the poor birds caught out in it…poor little buggers.
Wales is the only place where the magpies have got scuba gear and flippers.

 

[ReinierB]

Too bad Wales is so wet! Beautiful country. I have been there once and hat nice weather at Pembrokeshire (it still sounds like a place in Lord Of The Ring to me), but it was cold and wet at Snowdonia. I was looking for the ring ouzel, but couldn't find it. Are the numbers still declining? The same as with the twite and black grouse? Couldn't find them either. I enjoyed the red kites, alpine crows and other coastal birds like fulmar and shearwater though.
I am sorry for being off topic...

 

[ReinierB]

However, for low-light use they were smoked by my 10x56 Swaro SLC's. WAY brighter in the 56's at dusk. I don't mind the weight of the 56mm because I have several other lighter binos for when I have to carry them. I'd probably look to one of the other 8x56's on your list....maybe the one with the lightest weight.

So you are saying a SLC 8/10x56 is better than the Habicht 7x42 in lowlight, for you? Or were you only talking about the EDG 7x42?

 

[[email protected]]

I have no idea what the best binocular configuration might be for er... haunted locations, or UFOs, but reckon 7x mag will probably be all right for gamebird sized targets (especially if they are within reasonable distance) - but for smaller targets (songbirds etc) might start getting difficult in serious low light.

That's the other thing... folks don't often specify what they mean by low light, or even dawn/dusk - do you mean sunrise or sunset, or first light/last light, and will there be complicating factors such as shadows cast by trees? Observing waders and wildfowl on a wide open estuary at sunrise on a clear morning, with the light improving every minute, is going to be quite different to trying to spot things in a wooded area at last light with the light seemingly going every second. If the latter more accurately describes your viewing situation then you'll indeed require large objectives, and quality optics into the bargain (which if you're talking 8x56 can be pretty expensive). The Fujinon FMTR is certainly weatherproof and has an excellent reputation - if you need an 8x56 with similar qualities it might be worth scouring ebay etc for a Docter 8x56 (there is a standing joke here about this binocular having 100% light transmission, but it's genuinely very highly regarded) but you might need to be patient and be prepared go over your budget some.

The Docter 8x56 is nice, and it has excellent contrast but a smaller FOV compared to the SLC 8x56 of FL 8x56. If you want the best 8x56 get the SLC 8x56.

 

[[email protected]]

So you are saying a SLC 8/10x56 is better than the Habicht 7x42 in lowlight, for you? Or were you only talking about the EDG 7x42?

I definitely found the SLC 8x56 better in lowlight than the Habicht 7x42, and I am over 65. The SLC has 93% transmission and Habicht has 95% but the SLC takes in over 2x the light.

 

[Rufus1401]

The Docter 8x56 is nice, and it has excellent contrast but a smaller FOV compared to the SLC 8x56 of FL 8x56. If you want the best 8x56 get the SLC 8x56.

Sadly me thinks an SLC 8x56 is beyond the range of my American Express card ☹️

 

[Scott98]

So you are saying a SLC 8/10x56 is better than the Habicht 7x42 in lowlight, for you? Or were you only talking about the EDG 7x42?

I went out to look for woodcocks 5-6 times this March - 30 minutes after sunset the 7x42 just showed dark blurs, where it looked like a spotlight was shining on the scene in the 10x56. Which is too bad because I like lower power. I can't use 8x56 anymore because of astigmatism in 7mm exit pupils. In dark light, 7mm exit pupils, things look blurry to me.

I do love my 10x56 SLC For me it was an extravagant purchase, having bought 8x42 SF's the same year, but they're incredible. Very powerful instrument with the beautiful huge ED lenses and high-end coatings. They are bringing in twice the photons of a 42mm binocular and with the same quality level as the smaller ones.

I actually had my best sighting of a woodcock later in the spring with no binoculars! I heard one calling while out on a woods walk and was able to creep up to within about 10 feet away and see the long beak and body markings. It's super hard to seem them in March, they are jumping around the underbrush and launching off on the mating flights, all you get is a glimpse of something flying through the FOV. Looking forward to trying again next spring 👍