I thought it would be interesting to hear fellow members reflect on their optics year just ending. The most obvious topic would be purchases but feel free to add anything with an optics tie-in for 2017. Many have posted during the year but it would be nice to see a summarized refresher and to hear of any new thoughts.
Here are some possible topics:
- Purchases: What was the attraction, how did it work out.
- Sold: Reason for selling, any regrets.
- Optics passed: Optics you seriously considered but took a pass.
- Special memorable views.
- Optics related trips: Local or other extended adventures, optics show, etc
- Any other special moments or Comments: First binocular outing with a son or daughter, grandchild. Presentation on optics at a club, a memorable discussion about optics, etc.
Let me get it started.
Purchases
I started 2017 saying to myself that there is really nothing else I wanted to get. Well, I ended up eating those words.
- GPO 8X32 ED: The wide FOV of 426 ft in a lower priced 8X42 is somewhat unique and that was the appeal. I posted a review on it in the GPO sub forum. A most excellent binocular for the class with a nice wide FOV, good styling and handling and nice quality. My only issue is the extended eye cups are a little shorter than I prefer.
- Bushnell Legend M 8X42 and 10X42: Lee posted a nice review earlier on the Legend M 8X42. Then Allbino's did a review and put out a transmission graph that indicated the binocular had a very neutral color balance. That is what caught my interest. The 10X42 became available as a deal of the day on Amazon so I bought. It is a very nice binocular and I added my comments to Lee's review in the Bushnell forum. The 8X42 then became available as a special sale from Rogers Sporting Goods eBay store and I went for it because of the success with the 10X. Both do have a very close to neutral color balance.
- Nikon Aculon 8X42: I have read good things about the Aculon line but had never checked it out. After seeing it go on sale for $31 bucks and some good feedback from Barry, I figured why not. The ultimate plan is to pass it on to my nephew for his kids to use. Right now it is just a little to big for them. The price ultimately went down to $22. It has a nice FOV and an excellent center view as good as models costing hundreds more. It is no SF but it would be an excellent choice for a serious birder wanting to get a very good view but not spend much money. At $22, it has to be the best value to price I have ever seen.
- Opticron Imagic BGA VHD 10X42 and Tract Toric 10X42: There has been a lot of discussion over the last year or so about the Kamakura based sub alphas. I already had a Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 and have wondered how these new similar entries compared. There are posts indicating the Imagic and the Toric share a common heritage and that caught my interest along with looking for a couple of better vehicle binoculars. Opticron promotions are not that common on this side of the pond so when the IMagic became available as part of the Eagle closeout, I asked myself what would Chuck do, and bought it. Not to long after, Tract had a nice offering on the Toric and I bought it too. Overall, I think the Zeiss Conquest is superior in various areas to the Imagic and Toric, but not by much. I consider these two to be twins in different clothing. They are very close. There are still some comparisons I want to complete and then I may write something up with more detail. They are both keepers and I really enjoy using them.
- Nikon Monarch HG 8X42: This is another one of the sub alphas that has a lot to offer for a price much below the top tier models. The wide FOV was the initial appeal but now that I have it I think the small size and light weight for a 42mm is the most unique feature about it. It makes you smile every time you pick it up. It is a very nice binocular and there is nothing that I do not like about it.
- Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8X32: I have been looking for the "perfect" small and light weight 8X32 occasional hiking binocular. I have a Nikon Monarch 7 8X30 which is very nice but the extended eye cups are not quite long enough for me making eye placement more difficult. My other hiker is the Cabela's Guide 8X32 with has great eye placement but it is just a little less optically than the Nikon. The Traveller looked like it could be the best of both and so I picked it up during the Black Friday period. Unfortunately my particular unit looks to have an issue with the right barrel that prevents me from getting a sharp focus and so it has to go back. I did physically compare it to the Nikon Monarch 7 and they are basically the same. The objectives of the Traveller appear to be about a 1.5mm or so larger in diameter. I decided against doing an exchange because like the Nikon, the eye cups are to short for me to get comfortable eye placement. Second, it is basically like the Nikon I already have so it has no added value or appeal for me. Instead I was willing to exchange it for ...........
- Opticron Natura 8X32 BGA ED: Optics Planet was agreeable to give me the same (but by then expired) discount on the Natura so why not. It looks to be based on the Leupold BX-3 Cabela's Guide with I like but with upgraded ED glass. My one concern is the smaller FOV. It is being dropped shipped from Opticron USA which is closed until the beginning of January so I will have more to say next year.
Sales
There are a bunch I should sell but the only model I recall selling is the Nikon SE 8X32 to another forum member. The main reason for letting it go was I almost never used it. My main interest in getting it was to use as a reference binocular. However most posts now make few comparisons to the SE and I do have a solid memory of how it preforms. Roofs work best for me but I do appreciate the qualities of a good Porro view and decided to stay with the Nikon 8X30 EII as it seems to best demonstrate all the good attributes of a Porro. It would have been nice to have kept it but no regrets. It deserves to get used rather than sitting on the self.
I have an Alpen Apex 12X50 that an acquaintance wanted to buy, but after several phone calls, he has not come by to get it. It is a great binocular for the money but I just do not use it after finally getting a Swaro 12X50 a couple of years ago.
Optics Pasted Up
The Leica Noctivid has to go to the top of the list. I have looked through the 10X twice and the 8X once. The main issue for me was I just was unable to get a comfortable eye placement again due to the eye cups being on the short side for the eye relief. The optics are spectacular but I do not think they are superior to the Zeiss SF or Swaro EL. I think all are different but equivalent and it comes down to personal preferences. The biggest noticeable difference is color balance. I also did not get the enhanced 3D effect that many have observed. Beats me why. I wonder if it may be due to differences in IPD. I will continue to check out the Noctivid whenever I get the chance. Leica was supposed to come out with something to extend the eye cups but I have not seen it.
Memorable Views:
Most of the birds out here in the desert are various shades of brown. It is not Costa Rica when it comes to color! Winter is great because the water fowl return and we do get a few colorful ducks. One is the Hooded Merganser and I got a nice long and close look at several of them last January. I do see them once in a while but I never got such a great view as this. It was one of those days you hope for when looking at birds. I believe I was using the Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 so it was a very nice view!
The other outstanding observation was a series over several days during a trip to the White Mountains of Arizona. This is high forest country with some beautiful large meadows. I saw the normal elk, deer, antelope and turkeys. What made this special was in a period of about three days I also observed some gray wolves, a black bear, big horn mountain sheep and a fox. I have gone years without seeing any of these in my many trips and to see them all in one trip is totally unexpected.
Trips and Shows
There were just a couple of trips this year out of town but all were within Arizona. Most of my birding was at local spots, especially the Gilbert Water Ranch riparian. Birding is always good there because there are lot of birds, a lot of variety and you can get close looks because they are used to the people. The one show I attended was put on by the Tucson Audubon Society and it was represented by Zeiss, Swaro, Opticron and Leica. It was a good time and great discussing optics with the various vendors.
Other Comments:
This has been a great year on the Forum where I gotten to know some new folks and to know others even better.
That is it for 2017. I will try to remember to start a second thread next week discussing plans for 2018!
Anyone else have some highlights they would like to share? Use whatever format works. It does not have to be anything structured.
Here are some possible topics:
- Purchases: What was the attraction, how did it work out.
- Sold: Reason for selling, any regrets.
- Optics passed: Optics you seriously considered but took a pass.
- Special memorable views.
- Optics related trips: Local or other extended adventures, optics show, etc
- Any other special moments or Comments: First binocular outing with a son or daughter, grandchild. Presentation on optics at a club, a memorable discussion about optics, etc.
Let me get it started.
Purchases
I started 2017 saying to myself that there is really nothing else I wanted to get. Well, I ended up eating those words.
- GPO 8X32 ED: The wide FOV of 426 ft in a lower priced 8X42 is somewhat unique and that was the appeal. I posted a review on it in the GPO sub forum. A most excellent binocular for the class with a nice wide FOV, good styling and handling and nice quality. My only issue is the extended eye cups are a little shorter than I prefer.
- Bushnell Legend M 8X42 and 10X42: Lee posted a nice review earlier on the Legend M 8X42. Then Allbino's did a review and put out a transmission graph that indicated the binocular had a very neutral color balance. That is what caught my interest. The 10X42 became available as a deal of the day on Amazon so I bought. It is a very nice binocular and I added my comments to Lee's review in the Bushnell forum. The 8X42 then became available as a special sale from Rogers Sporting Goods eBay store and I went for it because of the success with the 10X. Both do have a very close to neutral color balance.
- Nikon Aculon 8X42: I have read good things about the Aculon line but had never checked it out. After seeing it go on sale for $31 bucks and some good feedback from Barry, I figured why not. The ultimate plan is to pass it on to my nephew for his kids to use. Right now it is just a little to big for them. The price ultimately went down to $22. It has a nice FOV and an excellent center view as good as models costing hundreds more. It is no SF but it would be an excellent choice for a serious birder wanting to get a very good view but not spend much money. At $22, it has to be the best value to price I have ever seen.
- Opticron Imagic BGA VHD 10X42 and Tract Toric 10X42: There has been a lot of discussion over the last year or so about the Kamakura based sub alphas. I already had a Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 and have wondered how these new similar entries compared. There are posts indicating the Imagic and the Toric share a common heritage and that caught my interest along with looking for a couple of better vehicle binoculars. Opticron promotions are not that common on this side of the pond so when the IMagic became available as part of the Eagle closeout, I asked myself what would Chuck do, and bought it. Not to long after, Tract had a nice offering on the Toric and I bought it too. Overall, I think the Zeiss Conquest is superior in various areas to the Imagic and Toric, but not by much. I consider these two to be twins in different clothing. They are very close. There are still some comparisons I want to complete and then I may write something up with more detail. They are both keepers and I really enjoy using them.
- Nikon Monarch HG 8X42: This is another one of the sub alphas that has a lot to offer for a price much below the top tier models. The wide FOV was the initial appeal but now that I have it I think the small size and light weight for a 42mm is the most unique feature about it. It makes you smile every time you pick it up. It is a very nice binocular and there is nothing that I do not like about it.
- Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8X32: I have been looking for the "perfect" small and light weight 8X32 occasional hiking binocular. I have a Nikon Monarch 7 8X30 which is very nice but the extended eye cups are not quite long enough for me making eye placement more difficult. My other hiker is the Cabela's Guide 8X32 with has great eye placement but it is just a little less optically than the Nikon. The Traveller looked like it could be the best of both and so I picked it up during the Black Friday period. Unfortunately my particular unit looks to have an issue with the right barrel that prevents me from getting a sharp focus and so it has to go back. I did physically compare it to the Nikon Monarch 7 and they are basically the same. The objectives of the Traveller appear to be about a 1.5mm or so larger in diameter. I decided against doing an exchange because like the Nikon, the eye cups are to short for me to get comfortable eye placement. Second, it is basically like the Nikon I already have so it has no added value or appeal for me. Instead I was willing to exchange it for ...........
- Opticron Natura 8X32 BGA ED: Optics Planet was agreeable to give me the same (but by then expired) discount on the Natura so why not. It looks to be based on the Leupold BX-3 Cabela's Guide with I like but with upgraded ED glass. My one concern is the smaller FOV. It is being dropped shipped from Opticron USA which is closed until the beginning of January so I will have more to say next year.
Sales
There are a bunch I should sell but the only model I recall selling is the Nikon SE 8X32 to another forum member. The main reason for letting it go was I almost never used it. My main interest in getting it was to use as a reference binocular. However most posts now make few comparisons to the SE and I do have a solid memory of how it preforms. Roofs work best for me but I do appreciate the qualities of a good Porro view and decided to stay with the Nikon 8X30 EII as it seems to best demonstrate all the good attributes of a Porro. It would have been nice to have kept it but no regrets. It deserves to get used rather than sitting on the self.
I have an Alpen Apex 12X50 that an acquaintance wanted to buy, but after several phone calls, he has not come by to get it. It is a great binocular for the money but I just do not use it after finally getting a Swaro 12X50 a couple of years ago.
Optics Pasted Up
The Leica Noctivid has to go to the top of the list. I have looked through the 10X twice and the 8X once. The main issue for me was I just was unable to get a comfortable eye placement again due to the eye cups being on the short side for the eye relief. The optics are spectacular but I do not think they are superior to the Zeiss SF or Swaro EL. I think all are different but equivalent and it comes down to personal preferences. The biggest noticeable difference is color balance. I also did not get the enhanced 3D effect that many have observed. Beats me why. I wonder if it may be due to differences in IPD. I will continue to check out the Noctivid whenever I get the chance. Leica was supposed to come out with something to extend the eye cups but I have not seen it.
Memorable Views:
Most of the birds out here in the desert are various shades of brown. It is not Costa Rica when it comes to color! Winter is great because the water fowl return and we do get a few colorful ducks. One is the Hooded Merganser and I got a nice long and close look at several of them last January. I do see them once in a while but I never got such a great view as this. It was one of those days you hope for when looking at birds. I believe I was using the Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 so it was a very nice view!
The other outstanding observation was a series over several days during a trip to the White Mountains of Arizona. This is high forest country with some beautiful large meadows. I saw the normal elk, deer, antelope and turkeys. What made this special was in a period of about three days I also observed some gray wolves, a black bear, big horn mountain sheep and a fox. I have gone years without seeing any of these in my many trips and to see them all in one trip is totally unexpected.
Trips and Shows
There were just a couple of trips this year out of town but all were within Arizona. Most of my birding was at local spots, especially the Gilbert Water Ranch riparian. Birding is always good there because there are lot of birds, a lot of variety and you can get close looks because they are used to the people. The one show I attended was put on by the Tucson Audubon Society and it was represented by Zeiss, Swaro, Opticron and Leica. It was a good time and great discussing optics with the various vendors.
Other Comments:
This has been a great year on the Forum where I gotten to know some new folks and to know others even better.
That is it for 2017. I will try to remember to start a second thread next week discussing plans for 2018!
Anyone else have some highlights they would like to share? Use whatever format works. It does not have to be anything structured.
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