Nighthawk 7x35. Model 770 (1 Viewer)

[rdnzl]

Picked these up today. They are "new, old stock". I like them. Nice and solid, but fairly compact. Views are bright, and focus it sharp. Kind of an odd shape, but they fit my hands well. I love nice clean optics that have never been touched.

 

[Binastro]

Nice.

1974?

Regards,
B.

 

[rdnzl]

Yes. 1974.

 

[Steve C]

The first binocular I ever bought, back in 1968, when I was a college Biology major, was a Swift Nighthawk 8x40. It has longer objective barrels than the 7x35, so it is bigger. You are right about the view, it is pretty good. I still have it, and make time to use it every so often. It was a good birding binocular then, and I still don't feel particularly handicapped even today if I were to use it as an only binocular. I does have a unique shape, but it also fits my hands quite well. It has a 500' fov, some 2 degrees wider than the 7x35.

Where do you get the Swifts? I'm guessing ebay, but in the limited looking I do there nowadays, I don't see the quality yours seem to show.

 

[rdnzl]

I have a guy that collects them, and once in a while he gets in the mood to sell a few.

 

[elkcub]

Here are the two Nighthawks from Swift's 1974 catalog. Suggested retail was $78.95 and $82.50 respectfully. For comparison, the Audubon was $149.95.

My only problem with the 7x35 that I own is its tendency to fall over when stood on the objectives. It also doesn't hang very well IMO. Otherwise, it's a solid binocular.

I must have bought it on eBay years ago with caps, black case and straps in as-new condition.

Ed

PS. I upgraded the PDF file.