I am curious what you think of it as well.
So please share with us.
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Why is buying and collecting binoculars so addictive. (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Paultricounty
- Start date
So please share with us.
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Where did I suggest in my query as to how their 'bins' were used, did I even suggest so?The one does not exclude the other...
Andreas
@ReinierB and @Paultricounty the Eagle has Landed, oh OK the Swarovski Hawk thingy. And my feint feeling has mostly disappeared thanks to Dr Wex.I am curious what you think of it as well.
Lovely to be concise. Beautifully made, optically as sharp as a very sharp thing and a delight to hold and use.
I received them yesterday but remained indoors courtesy of Storm Agnes who turned the Valley dark and, even for this part of Wales, a tad damp. In other words it
I did ponder over getting the 10x or the 8x and decided that the difference in magnification between my Curio's and 8x25 Terra's was minimal so as the 10x Nikons are beginning to tire (the eyecups no longer stay put) it was the 10x that arrived whilst my beloved was at the hairdressers.
Heavier than I expected and about the same size as the Nikons but I must admit that optically, the Nikons are not too far behind which, considering the 20+ years age difference, speaks volumes for just how superb the HGL's were and indeed, still are.
But the Swarovski ergonomics are much better, the focus wheel is by the oculars rather than at the objective lens and the barrel design and taper allows me to curl my little fingers around the end which really reduces shake. Especially for an old git like me. They fit like a glove on to my aged hands.
I haven't noticed any CA but in fairness it is still a bit dull overhead, but the FOV is amazing for a 10x25. Not as amazing as the Curio but amazing nonetheless.
The eye relief is perfect for me and the overall handling, buttery smooth focus wheel, fantastic grip on the body armour and a proper eyepiece cover that fits means the little SW is a keeper.
They are a cracking pair of bino's, but were I only allowed to keep one compact pair, the fabulously fantastic and totally stunning Curio's would be my choice for their amazing size/optical and FOV qualities which never cease to amaze me.
I do hope they have cured my aquisition phobia.......or at least delayed it until her next hair appointment.
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Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello,
I do not think that collecting binoculars is addictive. I am not sure how many I have but I can quit anytime. I know that I have eight 7x50 binoculars and four 8x30 binoculars, as well as other formats. No addiction here.
Edit: No make that six 8x30
Stay safe,
Arthur
I do not think that collecting binoculars is addictive. I am not sure how many I have but I can quit anytime. I know that I have eight 7x50 binoculars and four 8x30 binoculars, as well as other formats. No addiction here.
Edit: No make that six 8x30
Stay safe,
Arthur
Paultricounty
Well-known member
I was just about to agree with you , no addiction with only 12. But once you added those last two you stepped over the official binocular addiction line 😜.
Paul
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Hi Patr,
Thanks for the update!
They look nice! Although I prefer the black ones. I think the swaro 25 feels right and is quite comfortable. Not too finicky. It's a bit large and heavy still, but you do need really feel it hanging on your neck. I am still considering the swaro 8x25 instead of the curio 7x21 or leica 8x20, because of that. The 10x25 could be interesting too.
And, is it a keeper?
Hoe many pocket bins you have right now?
Hi ReinierHi Patr,
Thanks for the update!
They look nice! Although I prefer the black ones. I think the swaro 25 feels right and is quite comfortable. Not too finicky. It's a bit large and heavy still, but you do need really feel it hanging on your neck. I am still considering the swaro 8x25 instead of the curio 7x21 or leica 8x20, because of that. The 10x25 could be interesting too.
And, is it a keeper?
Hoe many pocket bins you have right now?
My pleasure. Colour is of course very personal, both are lovely but I went with the green ones as they look as if my NL Pure's have given birth to a baby. An immaculate conception indeed!
I am delighted with them and today was lovely down at the river where I could watch Herons, Egrets and a lone Cormorant at a distance whilst carrying a very light (as against the Pure's) pair of very sharp and stable bino's.
Again were I to keep just the one it would be the Curio's purely for the reasons I said before. But again it is best to handle and use before investing in what is not a cheap pocket bino.
They are definite keepers.
As for how many:
Just the four at the moment but who knows what may be on the horizon next month whilst my beloved is at the hairdressers!
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Do you still use the Terra?
I have it too, but am not really impressed. Well it is okay actually, but I feel an "urgency" to replace it by a better pocket bin. If I buy the Curio I might go your route as well, buying a CL 10x25 as well because de CL 25 just doesn't let me go. Or I will buy the CL 8x25 and use the terra 8x25 as a beach bin or the bins my children may use.
The FOV of the curio might be big, but the AFOV of both the 25's is bigger. So the bigger FOV of the Curio just doesn't really pull me over the line as it is "just" 7 power. The black colour maybe does..
I have it too, but am not really impressed. Well it is okay actually, but I feel an "urgency" to replace it by a better pocket bin. If I buy the Curio I might go your route as well, buying a CL 10x25 as well because de CL 25 just doesn't let me go. Or I will buy the CL 8x25 and use the terra 8x25 as a beach bin or the bins my children may use.
The FOV of the curio might be big, but the AFOV of both the 25's is bigger. So the bigger FOV of the Curio just doesn't really pull me over the line as it is "just" 7 power. The black colour maybe does.
.I used to be indecisive....now I am not so sure!Do you still use the Terra?
I have it too, but am not really impressed. Well it is okay actually, but I feel an "urgency" to replace it by a better pocket bin. If I buy the Curio I might go your route as well, buying a CL 10x25 as well because de CL 25 just doesn't let me go. Or I will buy the CL 8x25 and use the terra 8x25 as a beach bin or the bins my children may use.
The FOV of the curio might be big, but the AFOV of both the 25's is bigger. So the bigger FOV of the Curio just doesn't really pull me over the line as it is "just" 7 power. The black colour maybe does.
The Terra's punch well above their price point but clearly do not have the optical qualities of the more expensive pockets....irespective of brand. But I like them, they live in my car so that I have a pair to hand and frankly for the price I paid I am very satisfied with them.
Yes Wales can be damp at times but it is beautiful and our valley is stunning.
I have many fond memories of The Netherlands, my beloveds late uncle was the Yacht Harbour Master of Scheveningen many years ago and he introduced me to groene haring and oude Jenever amongst other delicacies! As we were living on the Belgian border at the time we would often visit them and in later years have toured all over in our motorhome. We particulary love the North.
I co-founded the Dutch Mountain Rescue Team (Belgian Branch) with a good friend of mine from the Koninklijke Landmacht when we served together in NATO. All our rigorous training was done in bars where the finer points of rope work and casualty evacuation was lubricated by excellent Belgian beers.
I am proud to say that not one of our rescues was a failure, due in part to us never being called out.
Tot ziens!
pianoman
duck and diver, bobolink and weaver
Why is buying and collecting binoculars so addictive?
Partly because of websites like this.
General question to all: If you were never able to show or talk about your binocular purchases to others - would you still buy them?
CharleyBird
Well-known member
Yes, I simply love their magnification; especially when combined with optical properties that improve on my eyesight.
Yes, sure.
William Lewis
Wishing birdwatching paid the bills.
I'd still listen to other people opinions on what tools they use that helps them enjoy successful birdwatching. I think that enhances the hobby, and as I use mine for surveying may help nature in some small way.
I'd definitely still buy binoculars if I needed them, no need to at the moment though, the 2 serious pairs I have are quite adequate for my needs. I suppose that would also rule me out of responding to the subject of the thread though - I don't find buying or collecting binoculars addictive - quite the opposite, I enjoy having what I need to do the things I like and am glad I can just about afford it!
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Foss
Well-known member
Yup
Conndomat
United States of Europe
You mean binoculars as a prestige object!?
Forget it, buy a Porsche, gold rings or a Rolex, hardly anyone is interested in binoculars - people don't see if you wear a Swarovski or chewing gum glass around your neck.
We're in a microcosm here,(SBF)* a few strange birds.
*Editor's note: Strange Birdforum... 😁
Andreas
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tehri
Well-known member
Lol !... But except here, where we often resemble a kind of crazy sect, I almost never talk about binoculars, optics, etc... This doesn't interest anyone, or very quickly they tell me : ' Calm down a little, they're just binoculars !! '.
Most people find no interest in it, and in any case hardly know the difference between binoculars for 100€ and others for 2 or 3000 !!
Very often here when reading discussions, threads, etc., I really have the feeling of being in a sort of psychiatric hospital among optically ill patients.
For an anecdote, among other things I run plastic arts, painting, workshops, and sometimes I ask children if they use binoculars, and the answer is no for the most part.
Once, I told them about the pleasure of using binoculars, observation, animals, nature, etc etc, and told them about the NL Pure that I had since a few months... They stopped me laughing after 4-5 minutes, telling me that I was crazy with my binoculars, and later, often when starting the workshops, they bursts into laughter, asking me how NL's were doing !! ahahaha !!
We really are a kind of of a cult here, with some kind of crazy people capable of talking optically to each other all the time... but it's quite rare to find this kind of crazy person roaming around outside !! 🤪
' We're in a microcosm here,(SBF)* a few strange birds. ' !!! ahaha, so well said Conndomat, you beat me !! 😋
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Paultricounty
Well-known member
I feel so dirty now 😛
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