looksharp65
Well-known member
Hi everyone, today I attended a migrating bird event with a small optics fair at Getteröns Naturum in Varberg, Sweden.
I have to apologise in advance for my lack of in-depth analysis of the models I encountered. Hopefully my notes might help some.
The opinions are based on first impressions and may not necessarily conform with more educated opinions.
The following brands were represented:
Nikon, Zeiss, Kite, Vortex, Kahles, Kamakura, Focus and Swarovski.
All the reps were nice and friendly and had aeons of times to spend.
Not all reps were directly connected to the suppliers, manufacturers or general agents. Not all reps were primarily birders. Not all reps were affiliated to the particular sport optics branch.
Nikon:
Expecting to find the M7 8x30, I was disappointed to find that only the 8x42 was there. The 8x42 is immediately likable, from the indoor point of view where they were found I could not see much CA. The M7 10x42 I have looked through was worse, admittedly the conditions were different.
EDG 8x32 is a big beast and I must question its weight and dimensions.
It is about the same as the M7 8x42 and too close to the EDG '42s to justify the considerably smaller front lens. It is two sizes bigger than my Meostar 8x32.
The only porros on the stand were Aculons and I didn't bother to try them.
Had a long chat with the rep. He was impressed by my E II.
The only compacts I could see were Aculons too :-C
Looked through a P7 8x42 and it was quite decent but I had no more time to spend.
Zeiss:
The rep had brought his own 7x42 FL and now I hate it less than before.
Its virtues are well-known with the big FOV and extreme brightness.
The HT's were out on a loan. Zeiss Sweden does not import the Terras.
There was a green 8x32 FL Lotutec that I found murky. Can't understand how that is possible, must have been sth wrong with it.
Conquest HD 10x32 was the nicest of the remaining binoculars.
Most important: new birding binoculars are on their way in about six months.
First I thought they must be 32 mm HT but then I learned that the series will include a 10x42. The rep claimed not to know anything more at all.
Vortex:
The rep brought his personal 10x42 Razor HD. He admitted it was so-so with spectacles and said the Viper HD gives more usable FOV despite having a technically smaller FOV.
Not very impressed with the Talon HD, the view being quite yellow. The 8x32 was not very good with spectacles.
Viper HD's are solid but not as heavy as I had imagined. Very good views through them.
Razor HD scope with good edge sharpness and better colour rendition than the previous time I tried it. 50 mm Razor HD with good edge sharpness but very tight eye relief beyond about 25x.
Very nice, relaxed and low-key rep. He also had:
Kahles:
8x32 and 8x42 of which the 8x42 was more to my liking since it was better while using spectacles. The understated design was to my liking.
Their edge sharpness was decent and colour rendition realistic. I fear they are too expensive, though, but for someone who wishes to buy a tool for seeing faraway things and which is not made in China, it should fit the bill.
If I hadn't been forced to stick with clockwise focusers I may very well have chosen the 8x42.
EDIT: their focus knobs were way too tight. What a shame!
Kamakura:
Must admit I didn't show due attention. The reason might be that they all look very similar on the outside. Too complicated to remember which is which.
Most interesting were their new spotters (65 and 80?) with helical focusing that are a step above the SP83ED. Image looked very good, but the prism housings were suspiciously small.
Focus:
Chinese ED clones. 8x43 with more than decent optics, good edge sharpness and a warm hue.
7x36 was way too yellow and downright dull.
Kite:
A big stand with lots of models.
Bonelli 8x42 with optics somewhat similar to the EDG 7x42. Very good edge sharpness and glare resistance but despite dielectric coatings it had a slightly yellow hue. If they decide to adjust the colour it might have the potential to be one of the very best.
Ibis ED - brilliant and colour neutral optics as far as I could see with a quick glance. Open bridge. 7x42 bright and sharp but with a conservative FOV. 12x50 very impressive ergonomics and fairly lightweight.
Lynx ED: 8x30 better than 10x30. Not very suitable for spectacles.
This time I think my E II was visibly better.
Looking down the tubes that dreaded shiny ring was present. The seller admitted the demo sample was an early sample, but didn't explicitly say that that particular problem had been adressed.
Still this is a remarkable piece of equipment that should be mentioned everytime someone says thinking about a compact binocular. See also about the 8x25 CL further down.
Birdwatcher:
Wide FOV 8x42 porro, not waterproof. Adequate sweet spot and very correct colour rendition, good glare resistance but less brilliant than my EDG 7x42 (as expected, knowing the price difference).
Swarovski:
10x50 SV, 10x42 SV, 8.5x42 SV, 8x32 SV, 8x42 SLC (newest all rubber version), three colours of 8x30 CL (!) and finally an 8x25 CL.
The SV's are known entities and need no further presentation. I could possibly see some rolling ball with the 8.5x43.
They left me cold.
But the 8x42 SLC was "Best in Show" IMO. I was blown away with what I saw through it. The wide FOV was amazingly bright, and the very sharp edges could easily be viewed wearing spectacles.
Unfortunately there was something terribly wrong with the focuser. Squeaking sounds of rubber friction for every little jump it was forced to do when trying to apply a firm pressure made this the worst focus knob I have ever encountered. A binocular that's less than £5 could be forgiven with such a focuser, but not a Swarovski. There was something about the rubber too that made it look a bit cheap. Again, the optics were stellar.
The second most impressive binocular of the show was the 8x25 CL.
(I don't count the EDG models as I'm fairly familiar with them now)
Perfect edge sharpness and perfect colour rendition. Perfect, tight build. Easy to use with spectacles. Unfortunately I forgot to check the glare properties.
This is the only compact I can see myself use.
To be honest, I think placing it in the CL family is a derision. It is two classes above the 30 mm CL's and probably the best true compact out there. Ever!
That is what I can remember by now. I will probably not be able to answer any specific questions but give me a try.
//L
I have to apologise in advance for my lack of in-depth analysis of the models I encountered. Hopefully my notes might help some.
The opinions are based on first impressions and may not necessarily conform with more educated opinions.
The following brands were represented:
Nikon, Zeiss, Kite, Vortex, Kahles, Kamakura, Focus and Swarovski.
All the reps were nice and friendly and had aeons of times to spend.
Not all reps were directly connected to the suppliers, manufacturers or general agents. Not all reps were primarily birders. Not all reps were affiliated to the particular sport optics branch.
Nikon:
Expecting to find the M7 8x30, I was disappointed to find that only the 8x42 was there. The 8x42 is immediately likable, from the indoor point of view where they were found I could not see much CA. The M7 10x42 I have looked through was worse, admittedly the conditions were different.
EDG 8x32 is a big beast and I must question its weight and dimensions.
It is about the same as the M7 8x42 and too close to the EDG '42s to justify the considerably smaller front lens. It is two sizes bigger than my Meostar 8x32.
The only porros on the stand were Aculons and I didn't bother to try them.
Had a long chat with the rep. He was impressed by my E II.
The only compacts I could see were Aculons too :-C
Looked through a P7 8x42 and it was quite decent but I had no more time to spend.
Zeiss:
The rep had brought his own 7x42 FL and now I hate it less than before.
Its virtues are well-known with the big FOV and extreme brightness.
The HT's were out on a loan. Zeiss Sweden does not import the Terras.
There was a green 8x32 FL Lotutec that I found murky. Can't understand how that is possible, must have been sth wrong with it.
Conquest HD 10x32 was the nicest of the remaining binoculars.
Most important: new birding binoculars are on their way in about six months.
First I thought they must be 32 mm HT but then I learned that the series will include a 10x42. The rep claimed not to know anything more at all.
Vortex:
The rep brought his personal 10x42 Razor HD. He admitted it was so-so with spectacles and said the Viper HD gives more usable FOV despite having a technically smaller FOV.
Not very impressed with the Talon HD, the view being quite yellow. The 8x32 was not very good with spectacles.
Viper HD's are solid but not as heavy as I had imagined. Very good views through them.
Razor HD scope with good edge sharpness and better colour rendition than the previous time I tried it. 50 mm Razor HD with good edge sharpness but very tight eye relief beyond about 25x.
Very nice, relaxed and low-key rep. He also had:
Kahles:
8x32 and 8x42 of which the 8x42 was more to my liking since it was better while using spectacles. The understated design was to my liking.
Their edge sharpness was decent and colour rendition realistic. I fear they are too expensive, though, but for someone who wishes to buy a tool for seeing faraway things and which is not made in China, it should fit the bill.
If I hadn't been forced to stick with clockwise focusers I may very well have chosen the 8x42.
EDIT: their focus knobs were way too tight. What a shame!
Kamakura:
Must admit I didn't show due attention. The reason might be that they all look very similar on the outside. Too complicated to remember which is which.
Most interesting were their new spotters (65 and 80?) with helical focusing that are a step above the SP83ED. Image looked very good, but the prism housings were suspiciously small.
Focus:
Chinese ED clones. 8x43 with more than decent optics, good edge sharpness and a warm hue.
7x36 was way too yellow and downright dull.
Kite:
A big stand with lots of models.
Bonelli 8x42 with optics somewhat similar to the EDG 7x42. Very good edge sharpness and glare resistance but despite dielectric coatings it had a slightly yellow hue. If they decide to adjust the colour it might have the potential to be one of the very best.
Ibis ED - brilliant and colour neutral optics as far as I could see with a quick glance. Open bridge. 7x42 bright and sharp but with a conservative FOV. 12x50 very impressive ergonomics and fairly lightweight.
Lynx ED: 8x30 better than 10x30. Not very suitable for spectacles.
This time I think my E II was visibly better.
Looking down the tubes that dreaded shiny ring was present. The seller admitted the demo sample was an early sample, but didn't explicitly say that that particular problem had been adressed.
Still this is a remarkable piece of equipment that should be mentioned everytime someone says thinking about a compact binocular. See also about the 8x25 CL further down.
Birdwatcher:
Wide FOV 8x42 porro, not waterproof. Adequate sweet spot and very correct colour rendition, good glare resistance but less brilliant than my EDG 7x42 (as expected, knowing the price difference).
Swarovski:
10x50 SV, 10x42 SV, 8.5x42 SV, 8x32 SV, 8x42 SLC (newest all rubber version), three colours of 8x30 CL (!) and finally an 8x25 CL.
The SV's are known entities and need no further presentation. I could possibly see some rolling ball with the 8.5x43.
They left me cold.
But the 8x42 SLC was "Best in Show" IMO. I was blown away with what I saw through it. The wide FOV was amazingly bright, and the very sharp edges could easily be viewed wearing spectacles.
Unfortunately there was something terribly wrong with the focuser. Squeaking sounds of rubber friction for every little jump it was forced to do when trying to apply a firm pressure made this the worst focus knob I have ever encountered. A binocular that's less than £5 could be forgiven with such a focuser, but not a Swarovski. There was something about the rubber too that made it look a bit cheap. Again, the optics were stellar.
The second most impressive binocular of the show was the 8x25 CL.
(I don't count the EDG models as I'm fairly familiar with them now)
Perfect edge sharpness and perfect colour rendition. Perfect, tight build. Easy to use with spectacles. Unfortunately I forgot to check the glare properties.
This is the only compact I can see myself use.
To be honest, I think placing it in the CL family is a derision. It is two classes above the 30 mm CL's and probably the best true compact out there. Ever!
That is what I can remember by now. I will probably not be able to answer any specific questions but give me a try.
//L
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