I Can Spy

In early July (holy cow, it seems like just 2 weeks ago, but it was a month ago), my binoculars broke (see Birds and Breakage). Cop Car was kind enough to offer to replace them - like it was Christmas in July, but I needed to pick them out. Only trouble was, that I am ignorant when it comes to all the fancy talk. Such as, my old binoculars were 7x35 and 357 at 1000. I had no idea what those numbers meant. So, I turned to CC asking for a basic primer. She was able to put together more information than I knew I needed (roof prism vs. porro prism, exit pupil etc). And she mentioned in passing that she had trouble finding binoculars that would adjust to her close set eyes - which I immediately recognized as an issue I would have to look out for since my old binoculars had to folded until they hit the stop  - something I never would have thought to look for if she hadn't mentioned that she had that problem.

So after digesting the information and links CC supplied, I set out doing more research because some of the concepts just weren't taking hold. After some digging, I found Birdwatching.com which explained things (especially Field of View - which I understood the concept, but the chart and picture really gave me an understanding) in a manner that got some of the info into my thick head.

Then it was on to researching the different brands/models. The first thing I weeded out was those that had the wrong type of prism (porro prism), then on to weeding out those that had a large IPD (interpupillary distance).  Then it was off to check reviews.

I finally settled on Zeiss Conquest HD binoculars in 10x42 (much more expensive than I would have bought myself - but CC wanted to make sure I had a good pair). I was able to find a good price on FleaBay (New pair, not used). I also managed to find a pair of Like-New Bushnell Expo's (the exact binocular that had broken) for $40, so figured I would pick them up for a knock-around pair.

Everything was here by Friday - I had to pick up the Zeiss from the post office since I had to sign for them.

Spot was helping :)

First, I want to say, that the Bushnell's really were like new. I think they may have been taken out of the case once, put back in and thrown in a closet. The reason I say that is that everything was there, with no mars at all and even with the plastic bags. The only indication that the carry case had been opened is that the instruction booklet was wrinkled (although still crisp and bright). Couldn't be happier with that $40 as people were trying to sell "good" conditions at just $5 less.

the Zeiss are fantastic. I can see squirrels and birds in and around the back yard at bigger than what they would be if they were right beside me. I can identify tree leaves and all sorts of goodness there! They had a smaller IDP than pretty much everything else out there, and I need nearly all of it. Looking at stars, I don't notice any shore shakiness than the Bushnells. That may be due to the prism type, or just the better optics, but I'm happy I went with the 10x instead of 8x magnification.

Now, not everything is peachy keen with the Zeiss, although they are pretty much my preference and have nothing to do with the binoculars themselves. I hate, hate, hate, how they not only make you attach the carry strap yourself, but make it as complicated as possible. Then, once I got the strap  attached, they are made for people with much longer torsos than I. Once I got the length adjusted, I had extra strap lengths hanging out everywhere. Finally decided I didn't need the strap and took it back off (which, considering I spent a good 1/2 hour, and had to do it without glasses or contact in to get close enough to see what I was doing, is really saying something). Okay, yes I'm a spaz, but it is a cheesy system.

The eyepiece protectors are difficult to remove. They want to stick and stay and it takes time to pry them off (I'll admit the Bushnell eyepiece protectors have the opposite problem - so maybe I'm just too picky). The only way to attache the eyepiece protectors to the binoculars is by running the neck strap thru them - which makes no sense to me (I can barely get them off the eyepieces, I can't imagine fighting the strap too). However, I do like that the protectors are a single unit, which is easier to keep track of than separate protectors for each eyepiece (since I'm not using the strap).

However, the far end lens protectors are awesome and attach to the binoculars themselves so you aren't in danger of loosing them. Just flick them off and you are good to go. Interestingly, they attach to the same place as the neck strap would go. Not sure why they didn't use the same system for the eyepiece protectors.

I'm thrilled with the binoculars - thank you for the Christmas in July Cop Car!

Comments

[Cop Car]

Sorry, Sweetie, you inherited those close-set eyes from my side of the family (my dad's, to be more specific). I did, indeed, want you to know it was an issue. As to researching: I had every confidence that other than the interpupillary distance you would have no trouble digging it all out and figuring it all out, yourself. You did an excellent job. I especially thought you brilliant for buying the Bushnell as well as the Zeiss.

Although I've never put straps on the binoculars that I carry in our cars nor on the stabilized pair that abides on the kitchen window shelf, I need/have needed straps on binoculars for when I tramp out in the field. I spent decades going out on "bird walks" and, now, I go out in our woods. I replaced the strap on my 8x42 Leitz binoculars with a nylon, woven strap that I saw in a camera shop during a trip to Kansas City when I was working with FEMA for the Red Cross. I don't recall what took me to the shop to begin with.

Lens caps are probably a necessity for one with cats. Personally, the only lens caps that I use are on the binoculars that are in the cars. One pair has caps for both eyepiece and objective lenses while the other has caps for only the objective lenses, larger lenses being more at risk. The "attached" lens caps are much better than the old lens caps that were just more pieces to lose.

For the past 40 years, I've not carried binoculars in their cases; but, if I'm on travel, I stick them into a clean Ziploc bag which goes into my ruck sack or field bag.

Thanks for the informative posting. It's always good to know how things are working out. I'll be looking forward to updates as you accumulate more experience with your two new binoculars. Well done!