Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
My first true "Alpha" bin |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | ||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: January/31/2011 at 22:14 |
|
Well, I have been doing a lot of horsetrading lately, and through some lucky circumstances on a certain evil online auction site, I have recently accumulated some spending money. Some recent threads really got me thinking about my position on "Alpha" binoculars.
This thread in particular: http://www.opticstalk.com/upgrading-binos_topic26977.html In that thread I "ranked" binoculars I had actually used (even briefly) for how I liked them overall. That list was topped with 1.Zeiss 2.Leica 3. Swarovski. There they were, the BIG 3. I was a little surprised, I thought my favorite binoculars were Meoptas, but there they were at number 4. Price DOES matter. I have always been a big proponent of real-world value for hunters, because I am a hunter, and that is why I got into optics in the first place. The ED bins coming out of China right now are really good optically. I have the ZEN EDs in my favorite configuration, 10X43. They offer a fantastic view that is just hard to believe, given their price. I recently spent some time with, and reviewed the Theron Wapiti APO-ED 8X42 and came away with a similar impression as the ZEN. These are great values, no doubt. However, they both offer compromises. The Theron shows field curvature, and some a little purple Chromatic Aberration in high-contrast situations. It has a relatively narrow field of view. While the build quality is sturdy, it is not ... well ... refined. The ZEN is wider, but a little soft at the edge. The Zen also shows a little CA, but not in the center of the field. The ZEN shows a halo of prismatic light when I get my eyes deep into the cups. The build quality is OK, but my armor is loosening a little and one rubber eyecup has loosened from its metal cup. The focus wheel is a bit slow, and doesn't have the best feel. These are minor quibbles, I know, and both bins far outperform their price points. I also own (now just recently owned) two sub-alpha bins Meopta Meostar and Vortex Razor. The Meoptas were just about perfect, but I had to glue the diopter adjustment, and they showed noticeable CA in an otherwise awesome image. The Razor showed a little CA, but the field showed too little distortion, and I get some rolling ball. Both are GREAT bins, and I thoroughly enjoyed using them. Picky? Probably. But I used a bin (borrowed) for about a week a while back and I noticed no flaws. I loved it, and it loved me. It was a Zeiss Victory FL, and it is at the top of my binocular list in the above referenced thread. I knew I could never spend $2000 plus for a binocular, so I just assumed it would never happen, and the other bins I have were so close anyway. But then, I noticed SWFA was closing out their 10X42 FLs in Green. Wait! Not only were they closing them out, but there was an instant rebate of $100 to boot! I had just bought a Swarovski rifle scope ... but I still had some stuff I could sell ... Well here we are and I am waiting for the Brown Truck at my house again. I can't wait. My first (uhh, last?) Alpha. |
||
-Matt
|
||
neilbilly
Optics Master Joined: February/07/2010 Location: Sweeny TX Status: Offline Points: 999 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
NICE! If I could justify the expense I'd snag a set myself. I'm hoping to unload some unloved items at a local gun show 03/05-03/06 which would free up enough fun money to get me a set. "provided there are any left at that point." If you're happy with them, they must be REALLY good gear. |
||
If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Are you calling me fickle? I just hope I get a "cherry" pair. Edited by Bitterroot Bulls - January/31/2011 at 22:37 |
||
-Matt
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Well, bad, bad news...
I feel like I stuck my foot in my mouth here, but I called SWFA today to check on my order (which I placed online after they closed last night), and wouldn't you know it, the discontinued (green) Zeiss FLs are gone, gone, gone. So my order was cancelled. Make no mistake, I'm not ripping on SWFA, with a website and discontinued items, these things will happen. I'm just sad that my dream pair of bins once again eluded me. And now I'm a bit thin on binoculars on hand, after selling a few pairs to fund the Zeiss, but I have got some cash, and I'll keep my eye out. Now I'm going to go cry in a closet. |
||
-Matt
|
||
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Matt, something will turn up. |
||
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Keep an eye on the Sample List.
|
||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||
SD Dog
Optics Master Extraordinaire OT Scratching Post Joined: February/28/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4177 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Ain't that life. Don't order b/c you don't have the funds. Have funds but product is sold out. Darn Murphy.
|
||
If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth. AP Herbert
Stupidity & ignorance have been the foundation for many certainties. |
||
Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Matt,
This must feel a bit like the day we found out Santa Claus wasn't real! Close the closet door please, I can hear you three states away .
Yeah, something will turn up. It'll be easier since you have made the decision. If you can wait until Feb 21 I can post a head to head with the new Razor HD, new Swarovski SLC and Swarovision. Just to add to any confusion. Not a review, but there is something called the Winter Wings festival here that will have people from all over. There is a Vortex-Swarovski dealer coming as a vendor. I talked to him this morning and he's pretty sure he'll have all the new Vortex HD stuff, sans Viper spotter which won't show 'til May.
Thinking I need a real alpha around for review comparison purposes myself.
|
||
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron |
||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
You're going to have some big fun shopping for keeps though, huh? I would personally love to see the SLC HD and Zeiss Fl side by side. That being said, I'm very, very impressed with the SLCneu (2010model) I got off the samplelist last Fall. I spent lots of time behind it aoudad hunting, comparing it with an EL that was in camp, and I honestly am not capable of seeing any difference. Good luck, have some fun with it, and feel free to educate me whenever you feel the need!
Klamath, can't wait to read what you have to say. Have any of you guys ever been curious enough about the Nikon EDG to look through one? Also, what's your take on the Geovid's? Do you like the idea of the combo unit or prefer to have the bino and rf separate?
Edited by JGRaider - February/01/2011 at 20:07 |
||
neilbilly
Optics Master Joined: February/07/2010 Location: Sweeny TX Status: Offline Points: 999 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Awww man, that bites. Something will turn up for ya I'm sure of it. |
||
If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on the SLCneu like yours (They were in the top three of my list, and must still qualify as a true "alpha," right?). They are discounted similarly to the Zeiss right now. I probably should decide soon, before all the SLCneus are gone as well. If I do order it, it will be over the phone, though. Edited by Bitterroot Bulls - February/01/2011 at 21:05 |
||
-Matt
|
||
mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I have both the EL and SLCneu, and to me, the significant differences between the two is weight, focus wheel, ergonomics, and price. |
||
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I have had lots of field time with the SLCs and a little with the ELs. I noticed more CA in the ELs than the SLCs. The ELs also had a little more pincushion. Maybe that was that single pair of ELs.
The SLCs I have used were the generation previous to the SLCneu. They had an extremely similar view to my Meostars with the SLCs having better CA control. I haven't had any serious field time with the SLCneu, but I have looked through a couple pair (10X42 and 7X42). I might be remembering things, but I think they must have changed the optic system a little, because the neus seemed a bit more neutral, and bit more contrasty. Does that sound about right, JG and Mike? |
||
-Matt
|
||
jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Tough "neus"but I'm sure you'll find something you "Leica"
|
||
Reaction time is a factor...
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
That's punny, Jon.
|
||
-Matt
|
||
300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Don't you hate when that happens?
I feel your pain. When I went to order the soon to be discontinued Viper 6x32 binoc,after looking at them at SWFA 2 days before,GONE! But I did get some GOOD advice and ended up with the ED2 7x36.
|
||
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
|
||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Hey Bitterroot. I believe you're right. When I was shopping around for mine, I called Swaro USA myself. They informed me that any SLCneu with a mfg date of 2007 and later had all the latest, greatest glass and coatings found on the EL's (not swarvision), i.e swarobright, etc. My neighbor who I hunt with extensively has a 10 yr old SLC, and while still great, the SLC neu is a little notch above. I have also found the SLCneu more durable than the EL.
|
||
trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-10x42-Victory-T-FL-Binocular-DEMO-B-P1565.aspx
Don't know if these fall into your price range or not, but if they do, I've found the DEMO-B stuff on the samplelist to be VERY nice. Last thing I bought from there, I swore was brand new. If you keep your eyes open, something will turn up. When I was in your position, I ended up with a like new pair of Leica Geovid 10x42's for $1300. I was not dissapointed.
|
||
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Well, I could never keep money in my pocket.
I just got off the phone with Josh at SWFA and now have a brand new pair of SLCneu 10X42 coming my way. One silver lining ... they will compliment my new Z3 scope nicely! |
||
-Matt
|
||
Johnny
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/23/2010 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 99 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Good job Matt!!!
You can't take it with you and life is short!!! |
||
Black Bear Road
|
||
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |