Binos - Olden but Golden vs New School tech
- Thread starter Ben23
- Start date
) I'm probably looking at around £600 budget, give or take. Narrows the field down quite a lot, but still some very interesting options out there.My all time favourites right there. Tried many other fancy one’s,,the coke bottles win in my book
This
I know.....I am an unashamed optics tart!You two remind me of the Douglas Adams' description of the bumper sticker on the back of the road hog's Porsche..."My other car is also a Porsche!"
Alan
In my defence, I find good optics to be one of life's real pleasures, whether we're talking rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars or camera lenses.
The problem this leads to is that, once you've looked through top class optics, you find you're never satisfied with anything else afterwards.
I get that..I have found it is true of so many quality tools.I know.....I am an unashamed optics tart!
In my defence, I find good optics to be one of life's real pleasures, whether we're talking rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars or camera lenses.
The problem this leads to is that, once you've looked through top class optics, you find you're never satisfied with anything else afterwards.
But my first (second hand) centre fire rifle came with a Z4i on it which I have read has one of the best optical performances of the Z range. The Swarovski binoculars I have looked through don't seem to be much better, and indeed some have been much worse...I bought the rifle from Paul Hill at the Corinium Range and one of the worst sets of Swarovski binoculars I looked through were his when we were out stalking. They were nowhere near as bright and clear as my porros, I was really disappointed. I have looked through other Swaro models at shops and show stands which were lovely I hasten to add.
At last light it is true that at 3x mag the Z4i will resolve details for a few minutes longer than my 8x Minolta Porros...at 8x mag there is very little in it.
99% of the time when I have been using last light performance it is because I had drawn a blank on that outing anyway...before first light it used to be more critical, but a basic thermal spotter is much the best tool for even the hour before dawn let alone before sunrise...
But I also like the fact that I don't have to hold them with my fingertips and that my thumb knuckles don't clash or overlap on the porros...much more comfortable!
Alan
I certainly agree re: the thermal - I am almost embarassed about how quickly I have come to rely on it. I've lost count of the times when I can spot a deer with the thermal yet still fail to find it with the binos, even when I know exactly where it is.
As well as first/last light, I also tend to think good optics prove themselves when looking for something like muntjac in dark cover under a thick canopy of woodland, more so in the winter when proper daylight never appears. Rather than colours, everything just takes on a different shade of grey. Again the thermal will confirm that the muntjac is there, but you still have to get the crosshairs on it and find the correct point of aim. That's the kind of field test that I find most valuable.
Absolutely true...it is in actual use that these things prove their worth.
A couple of things I liked about the "wide stereo" version of my 8x40 Porros is the enhanced 3D effect and with 8.2˚ wide angle they have a very shallow depth of field...which I found (pre thermal) was great for sweeping at different ranges...you can "punch through" closer foliage by focussing on the area behind. I wasn't at all attracted by the much touted "flattened image" of the roof prism optics. The clear distinction between the serried ranks / layers of foliage enhanced by a shallow depth of field helps to make the animal standing in front of them very clear.
I shouldn't really be talking optics with you though...when I finally went to a D300 DSLR from my OM4s (which of course I still have) I could not justify anything other for the business than the 16-85mm lens, I would have loved to get a longer faster lens for wildlife...one day maybe...
Alan
If you fancy a session sometime trying out different lenses let me know, as I'm only just over the border into Oxfordshire.
Cut+Squirt
Well-Known Member
Before you part with a penny, do yourself a favour and look through a pair of Delta Titanium RF 9x45 HD
That is why I shouldn’t be talking optics with you…it is likely to get expensive!
Alan
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
Some of you blokes are still living on the Ark.
I go deer hunting....a lot! Just about every day,often twice and have half an idea of what decent glass is,only half mind you.
Early AM`s and late arvo`s in our bush and under the bush canopy demands decent modern coated lenses,there is a huge difference `tween a rape field and thick bush hills especially under overcast skies. A factor in OLD binos is that the lenses don`t handle sun flare...you do have sun don`t you ha ha
I cant say much about the Ark bino`s as I don`t ever use them and rely on my own choice of binos...modern ones!
I have lost count of the times that I have handed my bino`s to lesser equipped mates that then actually see the deer.
Although my old 10x SLC`s are 10-12 years they hold their own with the 10x EL RF`s next to them. The big bro has its place too,in fact at stalking times for closer inspections when using my 10x`s I have oft wished for the extra 5x to be had at the time.
The bottom line is that any binos are better than NO bino`s,even my 10x 20 Tasco $40 rubbish (ute console) are better than my eyes.
I`m up for any challenge with any of the Ark models mentioned,bring them with you!
I go deer hunting....a lot! Just about every day,often twice and have half an idea of what decent glass is,only half mind you.
Early AM`s and late arvo`s in our bush and under the bush canopy demands decent modern coated lenses,there is a huge difference `tween a rape field and thick bush hills especially under overcast skies. A factor in OLD binos is that the lenses don`t handle sun flare...you do have sun don`t you ha ha
I cant say much about the Ark bino`s as I don`t ever use them and rely on my own choice of binos...modern ones!
I have lost count of the times that I have handed my bino`s to lesser equipped mates that then actually see the deer.
Although my old 10x SLC`s are 10-12 years they hold their own with the 10x EL RF`s next to them. The big bro has its place too,in fact at stalking times for closer inspections when using my 10x`s I have oft wished for the extra 5x to be had at the time.
The bottom line is that any binos are better than NO bino`s,even my 10x 20 Tasco $40 rubbish (ute console) are better than my eyes.
I`m up for any challenge with any of the Ark models mentioned,bring them with you!
Both of my other cars are also Porches
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
Excellent,i`m jealous too.
Are those 15x’s on the left John?
Whatever, that’s some glass
Given the time you spend outside using them I’d guess the “dollars per view” number still makes them a bargain.
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John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
Yes Willie x 56mm,big and heavy and oh so good on the tripod. I have actually walked/stalked with them on a harness and in the right place a very worth set.
Start rowing,i`m waiting.
I’m sure.
Out of interest do they have a tripod mount built in?
I can imagine they’d give the 20x STS spotting scope I’ve got a run for the money.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
No its an extra Willie,near on $300 iirc. But well engineered for the money.
Top bins are really worth the scrabble to find the money when ID is tough.
John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
No one noticed did they.......shame on you deer stalkers.
I`m open to suggestions as to what I am referring too.
I`m open to suggestions as to what I am referring too.
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