Tell the Difference

Originally posted by Bird Watcher koshkin and lucznik, Do either of you know if there is any connection between the Swift 8.5x44 and the Kowa Genesis 8.5x44 binocular. Does the Swift come out of Japan? Have either of you heard anything about the Kowa mid-range to top-of-the-line binoculars? The Genesis 10.5x44 costs around $1,400. The Genesis 8.5x44 costs around $1,260.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your questions.

I have very limited knowledge about Swift products and absolutely none about Kowas. (I've actually never even seen a Kowa optic.)

Bird Watcher:

I don't know if there is any connection between the Kowa genesis or the Swift Audubon, but yes, my Swifts were made in Japan.

AC

Actually, I would tend to agree with that comparison of roof to porro prices vs. value. (At least, generally speaking.)  The super cheapo Tascos, Bushnells, Simmons, etc. are of course, worthless but, once you jump to the $100+ mark and are dealing with quality instruments like Nikon Action Extremes, Pentax PCF WP IIs, Bushnell Legends, etc. you really do get many times the optical quality for much less $$$$. Of course, the trade off is that the porro prism binocular is going to be much larger, heavier, etc.

As has already been pointed out, only the porro prism B&L Discoverer was discontinued. I have one in 10x42 (it was also made in an 8x42 configuration) and it is a superb binocular. I would imagine that only a few people at Bushnell can give the authoritative/definitive reason for it being discontinued but, I can venture a guess.  This binocular retailed for a bit over $400 (putting it into the same class as the current Minox porro offerings) and it is worth every penny.  The problem is, this is a rough spot in the market for a porro to try to hold. For $400 there are a lot of very good roof prism binoculars available and they will all be smaller, lighter, more compact, and more comfortable to pack around.  They are certainly not as good optically as the porro prism binocular but, (as I already mentioned) most people won't be able to initially see those differences. What's more, those who do will often still choose to sacrifice that little bit of optical quality for the convenience of the smaller roof prism package.  Heck, if it were strictly a function of optical quality, no one would ever buy Swarovski ELs, Zeiss FLs, Leica Ultravids, etc. Why, do you ask? Because both Zeiss and Swarovski make super-premium ($1000+) porro prism binoculars that put those others to shame. How many of them have you seen lately, though?  Not many, if any I would bet.  I would even dare venture that 95+% of the optics consumers in the world are blissfully unaware of their very existence.

Porros seem to do pretty well in the $100 - $200 range where their optical advantages tend to be more obvious and the budget-conscious consumer tends to be more willing to accept the greater size of the porro prism design. Jump to the "high-dollar" arena for porros however, and they have a much harder "row to hoe" to make the sale.

I was wrong about the Discoverer series being discontinued.  It appears that only the 7x42.  I like that magnification for my use though.

Koshkin,

Thank you for the detail info for telling the difference between the Minox HG and big three.  Are the Minox porros also close, or closer to the list of good sub $400 glass that I posted.

Also, any others on the list of noteworthiness?  It seems like the Swft's are the best performers optically, but the Discoverer may be better for hunting due to size, durability and waterproofness.  How about the Pentax? 

The Bausch and Lomb Poro Discoverer is discontinued (awsome glass for the money) but as far as I know Bushnell still makes the Bushnell Discoverer 10x42 listed here on this sites store for $383.95.  Also you may want to check this sites "Sample List" they have trade in's or demo models and the mark down is pretty good.  Example I was looking really hard at the Kahles 10x42 list price here is $818.95  (which is still cheaper than anywhere else I found, one place had them listed at close to a $1,000) then I found some on the sample list at $599.95. Which in my opinion for high end glass made in Austria that is a heck of a buy.

Now I know that is more that you were looking at, my point is not to talk you into Kahles (although very very nice ) butto give an example on how much you can save going (a) to this store and (b) shopping off the sample list.

Also, if Bushnell's roof prism Discoverer is anything like its predicessor the Bausch & Lomb Poro Discoverer they will be very nice binoculars that will serve you well.

AC