I thought I'd alert you to what I think is a good deal. I don't know if it will work for you at all, all I can write is that I did it.
I am in no way affiliated with Eagle Optics or Zeiss. I think the sale Eagle Optics is having is pretty good -- still expensive but a good opportunity.
Here's something I wrote last year:
"Leica Ultravid 10 x 42:
The brightest, edge-to-edge, the smallest, lightest and most comfortable. Brightest, however, may not be the best thing for back lit or other unfavorable light conditions (of which we have many in Arizona). I would need a pair in the field to thoroughly test this.
The longest close focus (9.5 Ft.) used to eliminate this brand from consideration.
Swarovski EL 10 x 42:
The new EL are a relative disaster: even though they’re supposed to have this new “Field Flattener lenses” technology they actually have a “fisheye” effect noticeable when panning. They’re also the highest price and for that money I don’t want that kind of distortion. They’re the second brightest but they’re big. The best close focus at 4.9 Ft.
I would consider old EL, especially if you can get ‘em at a good price, but then you loose the close focus.
Zeiss Victory T FL 10 x 42:
Once you get to the level of these three binoculars, it’s a matter of choice, of trade-offs. There is no better binocular in theory (only in practice). While Leica seems to go for brightness and Swarovski for contrast, Zeiss seems to strike a balance between all the choices and ends up with the least distracting view.
This is not a comfortable binocular. Unlike the all-magnesium bodies of the other two binoculars, the Zeiss is only magnesium reenforced. Zeiss optics in an all magnesium, armored body would be the ultimate.
Close focus is a passable 6.56 Ft."
Anyway, I favor Zeiss. I've had a Zeiss 85mm T FL scope for years and love it. I've had the 10 x 42 binocular before but returned them after about six months for reasons unrelated to Zeiss quality. I now have the 10 x 42 again and its terrific.
Here's the link: http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/hot-deals?query=Victory+FL
Hey birders, long time.
I thought I'd alert you to what I think is a good deal. I don't know if it will work for you at all, all I can write is that I did it.
I am in no way affiliated with Eagle Optics or Zeiss. I think the sale Eagle Optics is having is pretty good -- still expensive but a good opportunity.
Here's something I wrote last year:
"Leica Ultravid 10 x 42:
The brightest, edge-to-edge, the smallest, lightest and most comfortable. Brightest, however, may not be the best thing for back lit or other unfavorable light conditions (of which we have many in Arizona). I would need a pair in the field to thoroughly test this.
The longest close focus (9.5 Ft.) used to eliminate this brand from consideration.
Swarovski EL 10 x 42:
The new EL are a relative disaster: even though they’re supposed to have this new “Field Flattener lenses” technology they actually have a “fisheye” effect noticeable when panning. They’re also the highest price and for that money I don’t want that kind of distortion. They’re the second brightest but they’re big. The best close focus at 4.9 Ft.
I would consider old EL, especially if you can get ‘em at a good price, but then you loose the close focus.
Zeiss Victory T FL 10 x 42:
Once you get to the level of these three binoculars, it’s a matter of choice, of trade-offs. There is no better binocular in theory (only in practice). While Leica seems to go for brightness and Swarovski for contrast, Zeiss seems to strike a balance between all the choices and ends up with the least distracting view.
This is not a comfortable binocular. Unlike the all-magnesium bodies of the other two binoculars, the Zeiss is only magnesium reenforced. Zeiss optics in an all magnesium, armored body would be the ultimate.
Close focus is a passable 6.56 Ft."
Anyway, I favor Zeiss. I've had a Zeiss 85mm T FL scope for years and love it. I've had the 10 x 42 binocular before but returned them after about six months for reasons unrelated to Zeiss quality. I now have the 10 x 42 again and its terrific.
Here's the link: http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/hot-deals?query=Victory+FL
David.