Tract Toric 8x42 Experience (187 Viewers)

[Sancho]

'Urinary Tract'

Here's my best guess:

Tract (first listed definition - I hope! ): http://www.dictionary.com/browse/tract

Toric: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toric_lens

Thanks GG! So even Tract has an ornithological definition ('pterodyl'? I've got to look that one up too!). I wonder if the word 'Toric' imply that there are lenses in there that aren't regular spherical ones?

 

[ceasar]

Thanks GG! So even Tract has an ornithological definition ('pterodyl'? I've got to look that one up too!). I wonder if the word 'Toric' imply that there are lenses in there that aren't regular spherical ones?

Sancho,

If the Toric binocular's lenses have anything like what the word 'Toric' may imply my guess is that it is probably found in the ocular construction.

The only comment about the Toric oculars in their "Product Review" is as follows: "The enhanced ocular diameter of the TORIC provides for a wider field of view and longer eye relief while minimizing the blackout that occurs with improper eye position." No mention is made about the number of elements in the objectives or the oculars.

I could not find anything in the Product Specs about the number of elements in the oculars or the objectives of the Tract Toric Binocular.

The Product Specs of the lower priced Tract Tekoa Binocular has somewhat more information: Their eyepiece lens system construction has "2 elements, 3 lenses" and their objective lens system construction has "3 elements,
4 lenses."

I think I will let this up to the more technically minded and trained members here to speculate on whether the name "Toric" identifies a binocular which has qualities noted in the definition of the word Toric.

Bob

 

[Sancho]

Thanks Bob! I couldn't really understand the stuff I read online about Toric lenses anyway. Once formulae get introduced into the discussion, my neurons misfire and I have math-class flashbacks (kind of like the 'Nam kind, without helicopters, and with Mr. Kavanagh in place of the Viet Cong). I don't think I'll see a pair of TT's anytime soon, unless they become available here. They do sound marvellous though.

 

[ceasar]

Sancho,

One place that Tract is no different from any other binocular company is in hyping its product! See this statement about their 8x42 Toric.

"Combining TRACT's Ultra High Definition technology, which produces crystal clear imagery in virtually any lighting condition; a sleek design and a super-tough rubber armored body makes the TORIC 8x a must-have binocular that is both easy to pack and extremely durable. With an incredibly wide field of view (377 feet @ 1,000 yards), 19mm of eye relief and 5.25mm exit pupil, this is truly a binocular you don't want to enter the woods without."

IMO an 8x42 binocular with a 7.2º FOV or 377' @ 1000 yards is not "incredibly wide." In fact it is quite modest.

But you have to make compromises somewhere when you make a high quality binocular and sell it for under $700.00.

Bob

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Bob, post 204,
I agree with your remarks.

What puzzles me and I do not understand the acceptibilty of the organisers of this forum of post 180 by Trevor Tract, in which he states: "not stating Light Transmissions for some variious reasons that I am sure everyone already knows. It is no secret that companies inflate them or simply try to achieve higher Light Transmissions by reducing the lens'coatings etc. which compromises the optical quality and other abilities".
We investigated many binoculars with regard to light transmission and we did not come accross such behaviour by binocular companies as stated by Trevor, who has a commercial interest in devaluating the performance of other binocular companies. I find that very bad and I am amazed that the organisers of this forum let this happen without any comment.
Gijs van Ginkel.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Bob, post 204,
I agree with your remarks.

What puzzles me and I do not understand the acceptibilty of the organisers of this forum of post 180 by Trevor Tract, in which he states: "not stating Light Transmissions for some variious reasons that I am sure everyone already knows. It is no secret that companies inflate them or simply try to achieve higher Light Transmissions by reducing the lens'coatings etc. which compromises the optical quality and other abilities".
We investigated many binoculars with regard to light transmission and we did not come accross such behaviour by binocular companies as stated by Trevor, who has a commercial interest in devaluating the performance of other binocular companies. I find that very bad and I am amazed that the organisers of this forum let this happen without any comment.
Gijs van Ginkel.

 

[chill6x6]

Gijs...
I have a question for you. If Tract Optics were to mail you a Toric binocular, would you be able to investigate it optically and publish the data?

 

[Tract_Optics]

We investigated many binoculars with regard to light transmission and we did not come accross such behaviour by binocular companies as stated by Trevor, who has a commercial interest in devaluating the performance of other binocular companies.

Here's one example that we have a very close relation to. When the Nikon Prostaff(s) were going through a redesign, higher ups wanted a 'better' LT than anyone else in the same tier. So, to achieve this, sacrifices were made on the lenses. It was much more discussed via forums about with the prostaff riflescopes, as they boasted 98% LT. 98% LT....this was a direct result to reduction of lenses (This is first hand info....). I've sold optics for many years, and sadly have seen this multiple times, and it is usually protected information as no one wants it to get out that compromises are made.

This is also one of the reasons our founders decided to leave their former life as they were not happy with company directions or directives.

I find that very bad and I am amazed that the organisers of this forum let this happen without any comment.
Gijs van Ginkel.

I hope that answer suffices. As I am here to help with any questions or concerns that arise with TRACT. I would like to think that most members like having an advocate for a brand present and someone to reach out to.

Trevor
Tract Optics

 

[james holdsworth]

Here's one example that we have a very close relation to. When the Nikon Prostaff(s) were going through a redesign, higher ups wanted a 'better' LT than anyone else in the same tier. So, to achieve this, sacrifices were made on the lenses. It was much more discussed via forums about with the prostaff riflescopes, as they boasted 98% LT. 98% LT....this was a direct result to reduction of lenses (This is first hand info....). I've sold optics for many years, and sadly have seen this multiple times, and it is usually protected information as no one wants it to get out that compromises are made.

This is also one of the reasons our founders decided to leave their former life as they were not happy with company directions or directives.




I hope that answer suffices. As I am here to help with any questions or concerns that arise with TRACT. I would like to think that most members like having an advocate for a brand present and someone to reach out to.

Trevor
Tract Optics

Sure, as long as it isn't to disparage other brands to sell a product.

 

[Dennis Mau]

To all the members complaining about how Tracs are advertised or how the light transmission is measured I would say to all the naysayers just "Try One". Trevor and his partner deserve a LOT of credit for having the motivation and the guts to leave Nikon and start their own direct marketing company and then produce some great optics at fantastic prices for the consumers. I will tell you these guys know what they are doing and if you try their binoculars you will see that. I feel very thankful to them for producing such a great binocular for such a low price and I am thoroughly enjoying mine. It is really helpful and it shows their commitment to their business to be answering questions on this forum about their product.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Chuck, post 207,
Able yes, but when a commercial company asks us to do research for them we calculate a price for the time spent and the use of the equipment and they get no say in the outcome.

Trevor, post 208,
A question first: do you pay Birdforum for taking part in the discussions? That is for us readers important since we need to know your position.

Second your example of the Nikon Prostaff which you present as something bad. If a company decides for whatever reason to generate an optical construction with the highest possible light transmission that is allright, but there is of course a trade off in other optical performances like FOV, not optimal corrections for optical errors etc.
What you did however in your previous post was using this argument in a way that you did not want to supply us with the Toric spectra using this argument and at the same time you hinted at the spectrum of the SLC and the Toric would perform only one percent lower. That means that you have the Toric spectrum either measured by Kamakura or measured by yourself, but you do not want to share that with us for whatever reason.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[etudiant]

It seems unwise not to post a transmission curve, if only because posting it avoids the risk of allowing competitors to create FUD regarding a trivial measurement difference.
The Boeing rule was 'If you can't hide it, paint it red'. That way the issue is front and center and could be dealt with rationally. I hope Tract shares that same philosophy.

 

[NDhunter]

Here's one example that we have a very close relation to. When the Nikon Prostaff(s) were going through a redesign, higher ups wanted a 'better' LT than anyone else in the same tier. So, to achieve this, sacrifices were made on the lenses. It was much more discussed via forums about with the prostaff riflescopes, as they boasted 98% LT. 98% LT....this was a direct result to reduction of lenses (This is first hand info....). I've sold optics for many years, and sadly have seen this multiple times, and it is usually protected information as no one wants it to get out that compromises are made.

This is also one of the reasons our founders decided to leave their former life as they were not happy with company directions or directives.




I hope that answer suffices. As I am here to help with any questions or concerns that arise with TRACT. I would like to think that most members like having an advocate for a brand present and someone to reach out to.

Trevor
Tract Optics

Trevor:

I have not posted yet about the Tract optics, and have been reading all
the posts.

I will call you out now as a sales or company rep. you should not criticize
other companies products on a forum like this. If you had sour grapes when
you left your previous employ, then don't come on here with your negative.
I have many years of sales experience, and that is not how to gain in this
world.

I have a question about your service on the products that will be coming in
for repair. Are you set up to do the usual repairs like eyecup problems, focuser, out of alignment, collimation, and where will that be done ?
Or is your model to just replace.

There is a small company on here, that is now being criticized for a lack of communication, and lack of service.

That question is important to me and many others.

Jerry

 

[chill6x6]

Chuck, post 207,
Able yes, but when a commercial company asks us to do research for them we calculate a price for the time spent and the use of the equipment and they get no say in the outcome.
Gijs van Ginkel

Gijs...thanks for your response. I wasn't trying to put anyone on the spot but I thought it would be nice to see an actual test of the Tract binocular and how it compares to bother binoculars. From reading your reviews and your postings here one Birdform I'm pretty sure your tests are fair, accurate, and non-biased as possible. I was just wondering if you were able to do so. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

I'm jealous that you have the equipment, knowledge, and expertise to do such testing! Keep up the good work!

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Chuck, post 214,
Thank you for your appreciation of my work.
Gijs

 

[jgraider]

You guys crack me up.......as I posted on the WOW thread, arguments and opinions are poor substitutes for actual experience, of which 99% of the posters on this thread have zero with the Toric.

I could care less what any optics company posts/advertises about one of their products, and I do not necessarily believe any light transmission numbers I see on those advertisements, or any other specs for that matter. It's all marketing mumbo jumbo.

Get one in your hands and then you will know if you like it better than something you have. Experience trumps guessing every time.

I've got a trip to Africa and many days here afield with the Toric in the past few months and it is still a fantastic binocular.

 

[SuperDuty]

:t:

You guys crack me up.......as I posted on the WOW thread, arguments and opinions are poor substitutes for actual experience, of which 99% of the posters on this thread have zero with the Toric.

I could care less what any optics company posts/advertises about one of their products, and I do not necessarily believe any light transmission numbers I see on those advertisements, or any other specs for that matter. It's all marketing mumbo jumbo.

Get one in your hands and then you will know if you like it better than something you have. Experience trumps guessing every time.

I've got a trip to Africa and many days here afield with the Toric in the past few months and it is still a fantastic binocular.

 

[NDhunter]

You guys crack me up.......as I posted on the WOW thread, arguments and opinions are poor substitutes for actual experience, of which 99% of the posters on this thread have zero with the Toric.

I could care less what any optics company posts/advertises about one of their products, and I do not necessarily believe any light transmission numbers I see on those advertisements, or any other specs for that matter. It's all marketing mumbo jumbo.

Get one in your hands and then you will know if you like it better than something you have. Experience trumps guessing every time.

I've got a trip to Africa and many days here afield with the Toric in the past few months and it is still a fantastic binocular.

I raised some questions for the company rep. and not sure why anyone
would be surprised. I am an equal opportunity type, if any company posts
on here and promotes their products, they need to be able to answer
some basic questions.

Johnny, you are cracking up, and that is too bad, don't take it personally.

Binoculars get cracked up also, I am wondering how the company will service them.

I do hope we here back from Trevor, but I am not surprised if he does
not know, and so things will quiet down.

Jerry

 

[jgraider]

None taken Jerry. I can understand that with any new product/company there will be questions.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Trevor:

I have not posted yet about the Tract optics, and have been reading all
the posts.

I will call you out now as a sales or company rep. you should not criticize
other companies products on a forum like this. If you had sour grapes when
you left your previous employ, then don't come on here with your negative.
I have many years of sales experience, and that is not how to gain in this
world.

I have a question about your service on the products that will be coming in
for repair. Are you set up to do the usual repairs like eyecup problems, focuser, out of alignment, collimation, and where will that be done ?
Or is your model to just replace.

There is a small company on here, that is now being criticized for a lack of communication, and lack of service.

That question is important to me and many others.

Jerry

I personally like the replacement model. I am not sure it is a great idea to be disassembling a binocular fixing focusers and eyecups. Just give me a new one and I am happy. It saves a lot on overhead not having a repair department and an inventory of parts also.