This should be fun.
In a moment of clarity (or weakness), I bought 338rcm's Swarovski 8x30WBs. Regarded by some as one of the finest sets of compact binos on the market, and a pair that I'd not had yet, it'll be nice to try them out.
What they will go up against is a mixed bag of stuff. Gen1 Leupold Yosemite 6x30, Bausch & Lomb Custom 8x36, Fujinon M24 7x28, Swift 825R Eaglet 7x36, Minox 6.5x32 IF. The Fujis are heading off very soon to have the laser filter and perhaps the ranging reticle removed in order to improve the clarity.
Yes, that is a mixed bag. So what? It'll be interesting to see how they stack up against one another. I'll try them out in a wide range of light and field conditions over a good period of time to see what differences are there. Objects viewed will be things that matter to hunters: antlers; game (large and small) and game "pieces" (such as squirrel tails, fox hides, turkey feathers, etc.) at various ranges; birds and waterfowl; bits of hunting clothing (I.e., hats, etc., because sometimes what we are identifying are other hunters); and other such stuff. Sorry, no wild, free-ranging eye charts in this area, so there won't be one stapled to an outhouse 153 meters from the backdoor. I'm not an optics engineer, or some "glass geek"; I just hunt, so the terms and comparisons will be in layman's terms because that's what I know. Also, I do not wear glasses and never have. I've had 20/20 or better vision my whole life. I am due for an eye exam, though.
Results might mean something. Or, not.
A quick check against one another shows the Swaros head and shoulders above the Swifts, a good bit better than the B&Ls, and better than the Leupold and Fujis, but the Minox being surprisingly close. That's just an initial zero-check and dialing at stuff 40m away to about 90m out, so it means little at this point.
In years past, the Minox did extremely well against Leica Trinovids and Ultravids, as well as Nikon SEs, so I won't be surprised if they do well against this assortment including the Swaros.
Last edited by 4ager; 02/21/17.
