As the Doc knows I have both the VP 825 and NL832 and see the thing a little differently. Im a birder, not a bino collector. I dont buy based on published specs and what they infer about a "logical" set of binoculars to have ... and to hold, (humor intended). These are tools. The conditions too varied to always have the perfect tool for the moment. Convenience demands choices be made with compromises
The little VP resides as I have written, on my desk, behind my 27" Mac desktop and is used most often by turning to the left, looking out the window at a courtyard and green space, where I can see lots of bird activity without moving. I also use them to travel to Seattle to visit family, where they reside in my carry on, back pack and serve wonderfully as an optically great, but rather small, too(?) light package for general birding.
I do have a scope. I bought the NLs primarily for their smaller size and half pound less weight than my EL1042s. Two attributes that become more desirable if you drag a scope and tripod around. Its not so much about weight, but moving the blasted scope/tripod from spot to spot along a trail requiring interaction between the 2 pieces of gear where a larger heavier bino just gets in the way, is a worry, (even with RYO).
In that role, as many here know, the binocular becomes the target locator. As well, do to this handling, setting up of the scope, sometimes its way more convenient, faster to use the bino in a role approaching the primary available optic of the moment. In that case the better optics, wider FOV/AFOV, lovely ergos AND yes the weight, make the NL, for me at least the better compliment. The VP to my mind is too small and too light for this application. I can one hand the NL, with other securing scope/tripod on shoulder. Steady it enough to see well while moving. This is a tougher task with the bigger/heavier EL42 or the lighter maybe too small VP.
The little VP resides as I have written, on my desk, behind my 27" Mac desktop and is used most often by turning to the left, looking out the window at a courtyard and green space, where I can see lots of bird activity without moving. I also use them to travel to Seattle to visit family, where they reside in my carry on, back pack and serve wonderfully as an optically great, but rather small, too(?) light package for general birding.
I do have a scope. I bought the NLs primarily for their smaller size and half pound less weight than my EL1042s. Two attributes that become more desirable if you drag a scope and tripod around. Its not so much about weight, but moving the blasted scope/tripod from spot to spot along a trail requiring interaction between the 2 pieces of gear where a larger heavier bino just gets in the way, is a worry, (even with RYO).
In that role, as many here know, the binocular becomes the target locator. As well, do to this handling, setting up of the scope, sometimes its way more convenient, faster to use the bino in a role approaching the primary available optic of the moment. In that case the better optics, wider FOV/AFOV, lovely ergos AND yes the weight, make the NL, for me at least the better compliment. The VP to my mind is too small and too light for this application. I can one hand the NL, with other securing scope/tripod on shoulder. Steady it enough to see well while moving. This is a tougher task with the bigger/heavier EL42 or the lighter maybe too small VP.
