Don't want to walk all over "So I Took The Plunge" theme, so hopefully its OK if I diverge from the carry strap convo for a bit.
I to took the plunge, and last week took delivery of Chuck's favorite, an NL 832! As some will know, I am an avowed fan of 10X and skeptic about the value of wide FOVs. Neither do I see glare. Yes I get I just bought the opposite of all that I have stood for. While Chuck who repeatedly has declared either his EL or now NL 832 to be his favorite all round birding bino, bought what would prolly be my favorite if I didnt already own the EL.
The good news is I don't need to take pictures, as thanks to Chuck, he has done that so beautifully above.
I love 10X, having used it almost exclusively for 40 years. This latter, time at it point, is a partial explanation for how/why. I dont get "wide" FOV in any of its forms. Ive written many times that the linear FOV difference at practical birding distances even of the latest and greatest NLs and SFs seem a bit underwhelming on paper and when I actually go birding. Having tried various NLs and SFs over the past year many times, I always walked away and thought, "hold on you did it again, you forgot to notice that super wide FOV everyone talks about!" My apologies to those of you who dont agree. Im not trying to start a revolution, just supply a bit of perspective for those reading here who may wonder.
I bought the NL832 for a couple reasons. First, I got my need for more X fix this fall when I bought my first spotting scope and tripod. With 18-54X in tow, who needs a 12 or 15 bino? BUT, lugging the blasted scope and tripod around while trying not to trip over it or knock it down, seemed a reasonable rationalization to buy a new smaller, lighter bino as compliment to a system. Second Im not deaf or that stubborn. I really do wonder what it was so many of you see that I dont. There seemed only one way to answer that question. So yes I just spent 2500 bucks as an experiment to see if I could appreciate what Chuck and many of you see in these underpowered and barely wider FOV things.
Is there a smiley face thing here somewhere?
Its raining here in California. While the winter migration is in full swing, getting outside to really check out the new NLs is a challenge, so this report will be limited. After two brief trips to the Richmond Marina, I can say this. With priorities straight, the birds are winning! They are here. Thank God for sun and getting to see many of the usual suspects, of only for a couple days. Not to be outdone by Troubador, here's what we saw - Female Surf Scoter, Female Goldeneye, Black crowned Night Heron, Pelagic Cormorants, Double Breasted Cormorant, Buffleheads, Green winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shovele, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Red Tailed Hawk, Osprey, Coopers Hawk, Western Grebe, Horned Grebe, Whimbrel, Godwit, Avocet, Willet, Coots, Mallards, Canada Geese, Scaup, White Throated Swift.
The 832s? Well, nice. Not blow your socks off nice, but nice. My first impression, in the hands and around my neck is the size is more important than the weight. And its as much about girth as it is length. Im 6'3" and have largish hands. The little 832s with their wasp waist feel really good. Yep I cant place one hand directly opposite the other there's not enough finger room, between barrels but I don't do that with any bino. So just moving hands and fingers around it was easy to find a secure grip. While the AFOV is published at 5 degrees wider than my 1042s. I couldn't see it. In fact my first impression, which I now think to be a subliminal thing do to their size, is the little NLs at first seemed to confine the overall view a bit. I get thats weird. I could see the 34% promised wider linear FOV between these and the ELs... when I looked for it via say lining up one edge of the view and the other, against a wall with vertical lines. In practical use, not yet.
Optically these are gorgeous, right up there with my EL1042s, (yes I said that), except for the loss of 2X. Did I see the lack of wiggle so many here report when they try 10s and report this offsets the extra 2X for them? Ahh, well maybe? Sharp to the edge? Indeed. And I like that. Any signs of bouncing balls or mustaches? No. Chromatic aberration? None, nada, zip. The color representation was perfect. I was seeing through these what I was seeing with my naked eyes. Looking at that list of birds above and thinking about the possibilities for identifying and enjoying, colors, markings, seeing what's what is it for me, and these deliver.
On the way home, not feeling "Wow!" I was thinking... "are these keepers?" Do they add to what i own? Or are they redundant? Does the size and weight deliver on the hope these would be the better compliment to scope days, over the larger heavier 1042s? I think so. Looking more, back here, peering around the rain drops at the green space next door, the view is nice, really nice. As objects in and of themselves, do I enjoy looking at, handling and want to do more with them? You bet. I think I like these enough to commit to using them exclusively for a few weeks, to see if I can come to appreciate what so many here do. Im curious what will happen when after that, I go out for a day with my fav 10s....
Now that said, I cant wait to hear what Chuck has to say about those 1042s after a bit.