Leica 7x42 Ultravid

From Patrick in New York:

If you watch in the field, you will be amazed to see how many top birders and other folks who know binoculars well carry a 7x42 binocular. The assumption by folks is often that more magnification is better but that is clearly not always the case and many experienced field birders know it. Hold up two binoculars, a 7x42 and a 10x42 in front of you and look into the eyepiece lenses and compare the size of the light circle you see on the eyepieces lenses on both pairs.

You will immediately notice how much larger the light circle is on the 7x42 bins. Having a larger light circle has the effect (one that many people don't understand) of minimizing hand shake because your eye does not fall outside of the light circle even if your hand is shaking. This results in a brighter, more color apparent, steadier view and is easier to maintain for longer periods of watching that distant hawk or looking in that leafy tree for that stealthy warbler. Also, having a bin with a lower mag makes dawn and dusk birding brighter and more comfortable as well.

The tradeoff used to be the weight because you also want the larger objective of the 7x42. With the new Ultravid HD and the new housing materials, that problem is gone. This is a bin that fits the hand very comfortably and feels like it has the same weight as the older 32 objective bins.

I did a comparison and definitely preferred the Leica HD over the Swarovski or Zeiss models in the same class (with the 42 objective) but this is a personal preference and mileage may vary. I think the Leica view is a bit more edge to edge clear with a more 3d like view. I also like the way it focuses and adjusts better than the others.

To me, a combination of the Leica HD 7x42's with the killer Swarovski 8 or 10X32 EL's (the Swarovski EL's with the 32 objective is an amazing field bin) as a second pair is a match made in heaven. For an entire day in the field, wear the Leica's in the morning and again in the later afternoon and use the EL's in the mid part of the day. Throw in the Leica 10x25 Ultravid's for a travel pair and you are so good to go. That's what I did.

Enjoy!

Vortex Fury vs. Leupold Mojave

From Jamie in Canada:

So I was at my local hunting store and I was comparing the vortex Fury and the Leupold Mojave both in the 8X42 size. The Fury are $100 cheaper and the difference between the two in clarity was unnoticeable. The vortex has an incredible unlimited lifetime warranty as well. Both were very comparable in added features but I must say the Mojave were a bit more comfortable to hold and a little lighter. This was however easily overlooked due to a limited budget and because of the amazing warranty Vortex offers. Both great binos but the Vortex wins in my point of view.

quick release plate-necessary?

From Ronald in Texas:

Review: The need for a quick-release plate to attach a camera or spotting scope to a tripod head adds a mechanical weakness that often leads to loosening, and often at inappropriate times. The plate design is intended to attach a variety of different cameras, telephoto lens and spotting scopes to the tripod head, and some combinations are more successful. My particular combination of a Manfrotto tripod head, quick-release plate and Zeiss spotting scope is not ideal. The plastic pin supplied with the plate is too small for the second opening in the Zeiss mount and allows play when the plate loosens slightly. My solution was to thread the second hole and add an Allen set screw that better secures the plate to the scope.
Eventually manufacturers of tripods and spotting scopes will collaborate on universal designs for quick-release features and even design without the need for the plate, as at least one spotting scope manufacturer has done with its line of tripods.

My two cents: Another solution to throw into the mix, for those of you without scopes and tripod heads that match up well without a QR plate (Manfrotto's 3130 or 128 RC heads and Leica and Swarovski's current scopes) or have no problems loosening on a QR plate. It's not cheap, but the Manfrotto Anti-twist Spotting Scope Plate will solve your problems forever. Well worth the cost!

Pentax DCF ED 10x43

From Mike in Missouri:

I have been birding for over twenty years and have looked at many high grade binoculars, some costing twice as much as the Pentax DCF ED's. Once I made an informed decision I purchased a pair of Pentax DCF ED's and they everything I had hoped for and more. For ease of operation, sharpness, brightness, color resolution and quality the Pentax DCF ED's are the best binoculars for the price that can be purchased. An excellent binocular that I would recommend to any birder without reservation.

Wandering Tattler Tripod Backpack

From Kevin in Michigan:

If you've ever been to Point Mouillee, Michigan in late summer for the shorebirding, it'd probably be helpful to have this. It's a long, hot hike so many people prefer to bike this wide expanse of marshland dikes, but biking with a scope and tripod takes balancing skill and lots of patience. With the tri-pak you can easily transport your scope and tripod, as well as anything you can fit in the zippered pocket (a box of CheezIts, for example) to any location. Your hands are free to grip and maneuver the handle bars of a bike, or to stop and scan with your binoculars instead of awkwardly jostling with your tripod. All the while, your scope is safely (and somewhat comfortably) strapped to your back. I highly recommend the Wandering Tattler Tri-Pak for anyone wanting to go shorebirding on a bike in a limited-access game area, or doing any birding that requires a lot of ground covering for that matter. It's easy to secure to any tripod, and there aren't a lot of annoying straps flapping in the wind or trailing on the ground.

Nikon Fieldscope 50

From Sarah in Michigan:

I received it, tried it out in the field, and am returning it. I am a first-time owner of a scope, and I definitely want another scope, but perhaps not this one. The optics quality is AMAZING, the focus knob was fine, and the zoom adequate. However, to quote Cape May's review on Feather Edge: It will not take the place of a larger, tougher primary scope that most birders use every weekend for scanning through heat shimmer and shorebird flocks at Brig or migrating seabirds at the Avalon Sea Watch. Because of this, I am returning this in favor of a larger 60 mm scope in the same series. I would highly recommend this for a birding traveler, or to someone with another scope who needs a smaller, lighter one. If I become a birder such as the latter, I may purchase it again.

Eagle Optics Raven binocular

From Dave in New York:

This is a really great pair of binoculars, especially considering the price. I bought them as a step-up beginner pair for my daughter based on the other reviews. Based on prior experience with inexpensive binoculars, I was still skeptical, but have been very impressed. They're well made, solid, well balanced, and have very nice optics. My only quibble is that the focus wheel is noticeably stiffer than that on my Pentax 8x42 DCF WPs. That will make them a bit harder for my young daughter to use, although she hasn't complained so far. And to be fair, it's still not bad, esp. considering that it has to physically move both barrels.

Overall, I'd highly recommend these - the quality seems very good, the construction solid, the optics impressive - even more so considering the price.

Minox BV 8x25 BRW

From Howard in New York:

Considering its price, I expected this supposedly phase-coated binocular to be better than my aged $60 Nikon 8x25 Sportstar roofs with their non phase-coated prisms. No -- these are in some ways worse. Not only are they not any sharper, but their focusing depth is very shallow, making one have to constantly refocus for the slightest change in distance. The size, weight, and wide field of view are its only good points. Not recommended, period. Fortunately Eagle Optics' return policy and speed of crediting my account is exemplary.

Leica Duovid

From David in Vermont:

I study colonial birds and have used the Duovids for 4 years. They are perfect for my needs, reading codes on banded birds. I almost always leave them set on 15 power and have no trouble holding them by hand, sometimes for several minutes in one position. They are heavy, but I often go for hours with the glasses hanging from my neck and think nothing of it. They aren't cheap, but the data I have collected because of the power and clarity are worth far more than the binoculars.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD

From RFG in Texas:
Well, Bushnell should not have named this a Legend. It's not, It's a less than adequate binocular frame with superb optics. Let me explain. The original Legend has great balance, sure handling and was built very very solid. This new one could be a $100 binocular if not for the $600 worth of ED glass. The eyecups are pinchy, the hinge is floppy and the lock on the diopter puts out a "clack" loud enough to send game fleeing. As a Legend fan, I am disappointed. But I will admit the optics are sweet. I finally found a cheap binocular as bright as my Zeiss. The detail and colors are above anything in this price range. I guess it's a really good product, but for handling and durability, the old legend is still the one for the money. Bushnell....why didn't you just put ED glass in your old frame??

Vortex Diamondback 8.5x50

From Justin in Texas
Subject: An excellent binocular for low light.

I have used this Diamondback in testing, to see if it was for me. I ended up returning it due to my very narrow IPD of 59 compared to the minimum of 60 with this binocular. What I found was that this binocular was the brightest I have seen to date. I was totally amazed at how much difference there was between this one and my 8x42 Bushnell. If you need a low light binocular, this one fits the bill. I found resolution to be excellent. Better than the Bushnell Legend roof. Also there is a large "sweet spot" of around 75% and the fall off to the edges is not pronounced, but subtle. The focus was smooth with no discernible play in it. The diopter adjustment was smooth and stiff enough to keep the setting in place after adjustment. Fit and finish was excellent. The coatings were also excellent, with no apparent flaws in any of them. Overall this is an excellent binocular and should serve well for hunters.

Vortex Diamondback 7x36

From Ron in Texas:

I purchased the Vortex Diamondback 7x36 binoculars to replace stolen car bins. These new bins will not be pampered, so durability ranks high. Already owning higher priced Vortex binoculars, I hoped for an equivalent sturdy construction and better than average optical quality.

My primary dissatisfaction with the 7x36 Diamondback concerns the field of view, which reveals less than the specified 418 feet. While most of the view remains sharp. the outer 5% or so degrades, provides a somewhat tunneled view. The usable FOV is still an acceptable 380 feet or so. With effort, some curvature of field can be noticed, but the effect is minimal and confined to the outer edge. Fortunately, the image stays sharp up to the last few degrees.

The focus from 5 feet to infinity takes 1 1/8 turns, with nearly ideal resistance. About half of this rotation focuses from 10 feet down to the minimum. Depth of field, as compared to several other bins, is above average for my eyes. This will, however, vary for individuals. The focusing mechanism coupled with the depth of field allow the user to easily follow a moving bird. The bins focus CCW from close to distant.

I could detect no chromatic aberrations or prismatic fringing under even extreme conditions, such as watching shore birds against extremely bright background light. Color fidelity is superb. For any binocular, much less one in this price range, possessing these characteristics is rare. These bins work wonderfully with eyeglasses and are solidly constructed too.

As for brightness, the Vortex 7x36 bins fell slightly below the top products (ELs and Victorys). The Diamondbacks did hold their own down to the last few minutes of dusk.

The light weight, medium size, along with a good tactile surface produce great handling. The non-locking diopter adjustment did not move from its setting, but can be turned without undue force. The IP distance adjusts from around 56mm to 74mm.

The 7x36 Vortex exhibits compromises, as would be expected in any low cost bin. However, where it counts, such as accurate color, sharp image and quickly focusing, this bin chalks up excellent marks. The Vortex 7x36 is a birding competent binocular that should endure hard use. Vortex includes an excellent warranty. Aside from birding, this binocular would serve extremely well for general use too.

Pentax Papilio 6.5x21

Subject: Should be rated higher:
From Donald in New York:

I was compelled to write this review after noting the less than 5 stars ratings others have given, and will make only three additions to the other reviews: 1) the value for price is excellent 2) the fact that these binoculars self-adjust for parallax on close focusing cannot be over-rated 3) the close focus is suffient to enable them to be used as a low-power binocular hand lens! In the field they become a jack-of-all-trades capable of checking out birds in the brush as well as blossoms and insects in the hand.