why were the habicht 8x30 GA discontinued? (1 Viewer)

[iseegeorgesstar]

Hello,

From my online reading it looks like the GA versions of the habicht 8x30 were discountied 20+ years ago? I was wondering if we knew why that specific model was singled out since we have two versions of the 42mm version of the GA?

Also from what I understand there's military or government officials orders able to be placed for habicht binoculars so it looks like they were only discontinued for commercial sale?

Personally speaking, I love the 10x40 ga that I have and would love a smaller wider pair but the leatherette version doesn't appeal to me at all. While I would buy the 10x30 ga in a heartbeat. I even emailed Swarovski suggesting they bring it back and I'm sure the customer service rep rolled their eyes internally.

 

[tehri]

Also from what I understand there's military or government officials orders able to be placed for habicht binoculars so it looks like they were only discontinued for commercial sale?

😜

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

View attachment 1541293 😜

Oh heavens, Swarovski glass is better than expected! You could even say I've been "spotted"!!

Thank you for the warm chuckle.

 

[dries1]

View attachment 1541293 😜

Tehri, I love the sense of humor, hilarious.

 

[Patudo]

From memory, some BFers have gotten GA model 8x30s from dealers. Maybe send an inquiry to JvD?

If it doesn't have to be a GA Habicht, there are other olive green armoured military type 8x30 binoculars - Hensoldts and so on. They may not be as good optically as a modern Habicht, but ought to be capable enough. Most of the folks buying that type of binocular are not looking for ultimate optical performance anyway.

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

Thank you for the tip. I hadn't considered inquiring with dealers since I don't believe I've bought through one before.

I was considering maybe Steiners or some other military bino indeed if I really have to scratch the low power porro itch. As it stands, the wish/fantasy was really for another smaller habicht in ga version. The micro-contrast details, superb pastel colors presentation, clarity, and depth of focus are all just so addicting.

I've also been eyeing, as a fun pair, the hinode 6x30-b plus binoculars which I think can be ordered from Japan for around $250+. The GA model is more about standing up to a literal lifetime of use + protection on investment, as I see it. Plus there's something oddly satisfying about the armoring. I don't feel afraid to use it.

 

[NDhunter]

There are still some available.
Jerry

 

[henry link]

From memory, some BFers have gotten GA model 8x30s from dealers. Maybe send an inquiry to JvD?

You might be thinking of the two or three 8x30 Habicht CF GAs that Jan van Daalen of the House of Outdoor & Optics in Maarssen, Netherlands had custom made with the newest coatings back in 2016 when I suggested here that such a thing could be done by switching the prism/eyepiece housings and objective tubes between a 10x40 CF GA and the still available 8x30 IF GA. I got one of those and at least one of the others went to another BF member. Jan first approached Swarovski about making some custom pairs of 8x30 CF GAs that way since they had all the parts needed, but they were not interested.

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

It's just odd they're making the larger version GA but not the smaller one.

 

[Ignatius]

They were available until ca. 2001 acc. to @John A Roberts .
I would buy a 8x30 CF GA at the drop of a hat.

 

[limonabe]

I would too. I'd buy any and all new porros released by the Big Three.

 

[PatR]

Add me to the list.

A GA would be the icing on the cake and thinking out loud I wonder if sufficient desparate punters were to petition God at Absam, whether SW could be persuaded to make a few?

Just received my new 8x30's, almost forgot how stunningly stunning they are.

 

[Maljunulo]

What Swarovski considers to be ”a few” may be a somewhat larger number than whatever you have in mind.

 

[Ignatius]

Add me to the list.

A GA would be the icing on the cake and thinking out loud I wonder if sufficient desparate punters were to petition God at Absom, whether SW could be persuaded to make a few?

...

A Birdforum L.E. perhabs. With a bit of the proceeds going to some to be determined animal/bird organization.

 

[PatR]

What Swarovski considers to be ”a few” may be a somewhat larger number than whatever you have in mind.

I know, I am just the eternal optomist......

 

[tehri]

😉

 

[PatR]

View attachment 1620687
😉

Hang on a minute.......................

 

[Maljunulo]

 

[William Lewis]

I think they last made the GA military version for an order in 2012, that's when mine came from anyway. They're very capable dog walking binoculars, Bovril likes them.

 

[Bako]

Yes, you're right, my version is also from 2012. I really like this binoculars, it's small, light, and I don't have to adjust it at all for my observations because it has a good depth of field.