There weren't during the relatively long period I searched for a used one and many of the used prices asked have been higher than some of the new prices.
Still feeling fortunate for having been able to get one for the price I did.
-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
What's your most used binocular? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter William Lewis
- Start date
Still feeling fortunate for having been able to get one for the price I did.
I like the ergonomics, focuser and color rendition of the Ultravid over the Curio, making it the favorite, but prefer the diopter adjustment and easy eye alignment if the latter.
If I decided to only have one, it would be the Ultravid.
Yes, the position of the strap lugs are a bit of an annoyance for me as well. I solved this partly with the Ultravid covers as soon on the picture. I don't like the original cover either. On the picture I used it as lens cover. I am not fully satisfied with this solution. Now it is quite a hassle making bij pocket bin ready for use. The Ultravid covers fit nice and keeps the bin flat on my chest, but they are a bit in my way when holding the bin against my eyes (the with the Ultravid 8x20 itself?). So no I am mostly carying the pocket bin without covers at all and carry it in my pocket or bandolier style.
I don't really like the focuser as well. Not really smooth, so maybe it has to the fixed. However, I had a Trinovid 8x20 for a well and the focuser of the Curio is much better.
So yes, optically the Curio is nice, but ergonomically is has same flaws imo. I actually preferred the CL 8x25 in every way (optically I didn't see a difference), except for the weight and the size. I have no experience with the Ultravid 8x20. Just looked through it once and found the eyecups a bit too small. The look throufgt the Curio is more comfortable.
You are a Leica lover, but I consider myself a Swarovski lover, so I was already a bit biased and bought the Curio.
SanderBird82
Well-known member
The Curio looks more like a luxury gadget. It looks vurnible for scratches and i read about focus buttons falling off.
Is the 7 mag not too low mag?
The Curio looks good for city trips, parks etc.
It doest feel like the VP 8x25 which feels more real bino, for field use and bird watching. I can use it all day.
Is the Curio strong enough for keep in pockets and big enough for all day use in the fields?
Is the 7 mag not too low mag?
The Curio looks good for city trips, parks etc.
It doest feel like the VP 8x25 which feels more real bino, for field use and bird watching. I can use it all day.
Is the Curio strong enough for keep in pockets and big enough for all day use in the fields?
Yes, it is vurnible for scratches. Don't worry about the focuser knob. It's very solid. When it breaks, just let it fix bij Swarovski for free. In very few occasions it had fallen off.
There isn't a huge difference between 7 and 8 power. It's nice having a 7 power in your lineup for the larger depth of focus. It also gives a very steady view.
A pocket bin is't for all day use, but it surely is possible.
There isn't a huge difference between 7 and 8 power. It's nice having a 7 power in your lineup for the larger depth of focus. It also gives a very steady view.
A pocket bin is't for all day use, but it surely is possible.
SanderBird82
Well-known member
Thank you.
Good to hear from you. Because you had doubt about the magnification (7x) in the past isnt it?
Not any more i understand.
You have the black one?
I wonder if that one is more vurnible for scratches, than the burned orange one.
I prefer higher magnifications. But I also wanted a comfortable pocket bin and that's why I chose the Curio. 3mm exit pupil is nice and the larger DOF as well. So no regrets. It is not a big difference and I like having one 7 power in my lineup.
That's what I don't know.
I have the black one and keep it most of the time in my pocket. I grap it when there's something that needs determination. After that I put it back again. So it's not exposed to cratches a lot.
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
For me, the most used binoculars are Zeiss Victory 10x42 from home or for astronomy. But when I have to backpack photo equipment, the Nikon Monarch HG 8x30 is the most used due to its extremely compact volume. It does not mean that my Leica Ultravid 8x20 does not also have its place. When I travel or short hikes, the small Ultravid is my favorite. Swarovski Habicht 7x42 I like to use it more in low light situations, but also in good light for pure aesthetic pleasure.
So here is my ranking by usage rate:
Zeiss Victory SF 10x42> Nikon Monarch HG 8x30> Leica Ultravid 8x20> Swarovski Habicht 7x42
So here is my ranking by usage rate:
Zeiss Victory SF 10x42> Nikon Monarch HG 8x30> Leica Ultravid 8x20> Swarovski Habicht 7x42
Last edited:
Montereyman
Well-known member
Most of the time I grab the Swarvo 10x25 Pocket Mountain that weigh only 12 ounces and inside their case fit in a jacket pocket or water bottle pouch. The 25mm objectives have 56% greater surface area than 20mm ones and this does make a noticeable difference in light transmission.
I have been using these new Nikon 10x25 Stabilized pocket binoculars, and I am surprised how good they are. I don't usually care for 10x because they shake too much, but the stabilization on these solves that problem and these will easily out resolve a Zeiss Victory or Swarovski CL-P 10x25 by 30% according to Kimmos tests and I can see it in actual use because I can see detail that I never saw with either alpha roof or even the 10x30 HG or 10x30 SFL because you are not shaking. These will even out resolve my NL 8x32's at 200 yards! I can read lettering from that distance that I could never read with any of the pocket binoculars. These have excellent optics that are similar to the Nikon LX 10x25 and are superior optically to most of the smaller Canon IS binoculars, plus they have the advantage of IS, which makes a huge difference in seeing detail. The Nikon IS system which stays on for 60 minutes seems to work better than the IS in the Canon binoculars, and you can pan without any focusing and refocusing.
They are about the same size as the Swarovski CL-P 10x25 or Zeiss Victory 10x25, but a few ounces heavier because of the IS system integrated into them. The nice thing about them is they look like a regular pocket binocular, unlike most IS binoculars that look like they were designed by an alien. If Nikon made these in some different sizes like 10x30 or even 10x42 for low light and kept the size and weight reasonable, Zeiss and Swarovski would have some serious competition in the birding market. Nikon knows how to make good optics, an example being the WX 10x50, and they have implemented a lot of excellent stabilization in cameras, so if they could combine the two the results would be very interesting. I don't see Swarovski or Zeiss coming out with any stabilized binoculars in the near future, so maybe Nikon will. I would like to see a Nikon MHG 10x30 S and MHG 10x42 S. I would buy either one in a second.
www.birdforum.net
They are about the same size as the Swarovski CL-P 10x25 or Zeiss Victory 10x25, but a few ounces heavier because of the IS system integrated into them. The nice thing about them is they look like a regular pocket binocular, unlike most IS binoculars that look like they were designed by an alien. If Nikon made these in some different sizes like 10x30 or even 10x42 for low light and kept the size and weight reasonable, Zeiss and Swarovski would have some serious competition in the birding market. Nikon knows how to make good optics, an example being the WX 10x50, and they have implemented a lot of excellent stabilization in cameras, so if they could combine the two the results would be very interesting. I don't see Swarovski or Zeiss coming out with any stabilized binoculars in the near future, so maybe Nikon will. I would like to see a Nikon MHG 10x30 S and MHG 10x42 S. I would buy either one in a second.
Updated Nikon 10x25S and 12x25S Stabilized binoculars
I have no problems with hand held 12x50 binoculars. It is at 14x and greater levels of magnification where I need either a tripod or stabilized binoculars. I added the Sig-Sauer Zulu6 HDX 16x42 a couple months ago and the stabilization works very well. The Sig-Sauer use a single AA battery that...
www.birdforum.net
Last edited:
TXdefender
Well-known member
The one I have with me! Which usually happens to be my Ultravid 8x20 because I tend to carry it most.
For a very long time I was wearing pants with cargo pockets that allowed my Ultravid 8x20 to basically reside there full time, and made it my daily companion, no matter what else I was doing at the time. Still my #1 overall because of how good of a fit it is for a user like me.
I find pocket binoculars like the UV 8x20 and the Curio 7x21 good to carry in your pocket to have with you all the time in case you see a bird or some wildlife that you want to take a look at, but I don't consider them a full-time birding binocular. On the other hand, the Zeiss Victory, Swarovski CL-P or Nikon S are still pocketable and can serve as a serious birding binocular. The Zeiss Victory 8x25 could be your only binocular if you like to go light. It performs close to a lot of 8x32's.
Last edited:
hopster
Well-known member
probably not I would suggest
looksharp65
Well-known member
Nowadays I'm a very infrequent visitor of this forum but (mostly) alive and well thank you.
My current collection of bins in actual use are the EDG 7x42, Meostar HD 12x50, Nikon E II 8x30, Meostar B1.1 8x32 and Kite Lynx HD 8x30 (older version) and an older Meostar B1 8x32. I can justify owning each of these because I use each of them intermittently and I make a deliberate choice which to pick when I'm going out. None of these will leave until I drop dead.
The thread's title woke me up because I've identified a clear bias where my "least" binocular, the Lynx HD, actually sees the most use, followed by the big Meopta, and often I bring both when birding.
My three 8x3x serve different purposes, where the Meostar is the best for using with spectacles while the E II and the Lynx HD require contact lenses.
The E II's lack of weather protection means I must use the Lynx HD more often.
My current contact lenses are absolutely fantastic and I rarely have to go out with spectacles so the Meostar B1.1 doesn't get worn out, but it is a wonderful binocular.
The EDG sees most use in the winter when wearing wrap-style protective glasses over my contacts is the best way to prevent excessive tearflow in the cold. It is the only one with an eye relief that allows the use of such spectacles. Its image quality is ridiculously good, too.
Finally, the big Meopta plays in a completely different league. I find it useful on many occasions as I live at the coast with lots of long-distance viewing.
I can identify the merits of each of these five binoculars (the old Meostar 8x32 is out of contest here)where the Kite might be the weakest link. I have made (very) lame attempts to find something similar but better, but when put against the wall I have to admit it's really all I need for its purpose. AFOV is glorious, brightness very good, colour reproduction very neutral, it can be tucked into a jacket pocket or the frame bag of my bike. I really can't fault it.
Alas, the Kite Lynx HD 8x30 that I bought slightly used at the price of SEK 2500 (similar to a new Prostaff 7) which also makes it the cheapest in the line-up.
Cheers,
//L
My current collection of bins in actual use are the EDG 7x42, Meostar HD 12x50, Nikon E II 8x30, Meostar B1.1 8x32 and Kite Lynx HD 8x30 (older version) and an older Meostar B1 8x32. I can justify owning each of these because I use each of them intermittently and I make a deliberate choice which to pick when I'm going out. None of these will leave until I drop dead.
The thread's title woke me up because I've identified a clear bias where my "least" binocular, the Lynx HD, actually sees the most use, followed by the big Meopta, and often I bring both when birding.
My three 8x3x serve different purposes, where the Meostar is the best for using with spectacles while the E II and the Lynx HD require contact lenses.
The E II's lack of weather protection means I must use the Lynx HD more often.
My current contact lenses are absolutely fantastic and I rarely have to go out with spectacles so the Meostar B1.1 doesn't get worn out, but it is a wonderful binocular.
The EDG sees most use in the winter when wearing wrap-style protective glasses over my contacts is the best way to prevent excessive tearflow in the cold. It is the only one with an eye relief that allows the use of such spectacles. Its image quality is ridiculously good, too.
Finally, the big Meopta plays in a completely different league. I find it useful on many occasions as I live at the coast with lots of long-distance viewing.
I can identify the merits of each of these five binoculars (the old Meostar 8x32 is out of contest here)where the Kite might be the weakest link. I have made (very) lame attempts to find something similar but better, but when put against the wall I have to admit it's really all I need for its purpose. AFOV is glorious, brightness very good, colour reproduction very neutral, it can be tucked into a jacket pocket or the frame bag of my bike. I really can't fault it.
Alas, the Kite Lynx HD 8x30 that I bought slightly used at the price of SEK 2500 (similar to a new Prostaff 7) which also makes it the cheapest in the line-up.
Cheers,
//L
Last edited:
