Re: [MDOsprey] fwd: assistance with new bins

William Leigh (tern@visuallink.com)
Mon, 7 Jun 1999 17:46:43 -0700 

Norm,

    I would always recommend the Swift Audubon's for the money they
are a great buy. I own two pair and several other family members have pairs
as well. I have noticed that there is a great deal of difference from one
pair to
the next ...in how well they hold up and even their performance new.
So it might be worth it to somehow actually try the one you buy before
buying a  pair.  There is a place above Cape May that I hear is excellent
for allowing folks to experiment with various bins .
    My favorite pair of binoculars optically speaking are the new Nikon
Superior Es ....I prefer the 8X32. These are marvelous binoculars ....they
blow away my
8x42 Leicas and all the other brands as far I am concerned. I can't use
them however,  because the eye relief is too long and the eye cups are
fold down rubber type. Most people who wear glasses have the opposite
problem i.e. the eye relief is too short.  So I would not rule these bins
out for everyone who wears glasses but you should definitely try them before
buying.Supposedly you can rig them using rubber bands but I found that too
bothersome to deal with. The Nikon Superior Es are not waterproof and they
are porro prisms.  But really they are just so good . I had the opportunity
last
year at the Eastern Shore birding festival in Kipptopeake to compare the
Superior Es Nikons against the new 10X 50 Swarovskis (sp???) and the new
Nikon Venturra's both of which are roof prisms, both of which weigh nearly
twice as much and did I mention they cost twice as much. I felt the 8 X 32
porro prisms out performed all
 of these expensive roof bins. The last time I checked Eagle Optics the
Nikon 8 X32 were going for around $550.  The Audubon Swift EDs are
excellent....but for just another hundred dollars you can own the Superior
Es. .....................
             Thats my two cents............but everybody  has a different
opinion on binoculars....i really think that
some bins just suit  one person better than the next ....so you really have
to try a lot of different pairs to really know what works best for you.....
             P.s. look up Better View Desired on the internet for some
excellent articles and advice on optics...
I believe the address is  www.biddeford.com.   but I would not swear to
it.....
                 William Leigh
                  Winchester VA
-----Original Message-----
From: Norm Saunders <osprey@ARI.Net>
To: mdosprey@ARI.Net <mdosprey@ARI.Net>
Date: Monday, June 07, 1999 12:09 PM
Subject: [MDOsprey] fwd: assistance with new bins



From: "Andy Rabin" <andyrab@wam.umd.edu>
To: "mdo" <mdosprey@ARI.Net>
Subject: assistance choosing new binocular
Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 10:49:25 -0400

Dear birders,

   I am thinking about maybe possibly getting a new binocular.  Most of
the models that I really would like to have are out of my price range.
However, there are a couple that are more 'reasonably' priced that might
suit my needs just fine.  They are the Swift Ultralite 8x42 and the
Swift Audubon 8.5x44.  I am somewhat familiar with both of them and
their specs, their inherent advantages and disdvantages, but have not
used either extensively in the field, which is where you really get to
know your binoculars.  If anyone has had an opportunity to compare them
or use one or the other over a long period of time, I would love to hear
what your thoughts are.  Also, if anyone has an informed opinion about
how these two models compare with their more expensive counterparts
(Ultralite 8x44ED and Audubon 8.5x44ED) I am interested in hearing what
you think.  Are the optics and weatherproofing (in the Audubon) ED
versions worth the extra money?

   I know that the conventional wisdom is to get the best binoculars you
can afford and that my own hands and eyes will be the best judges.  With
that in mind, are the Audubons and/or Ultralites binoculars that I will
be satisfied with for a very long time, or would it be wiser to hold off
until I can get the really good ones?

  Thanks a bunch for anything you can contribute.

Andy Rabin
Gaithersburg, MD

===============
Norm Saunders
Colesville, MD
osprey@ari.net