OPTICS GUIDE - Birdwatchersdigest
OPTICSGUIDE20211To order, call 833-262-1568or visit redstartbirding.com.redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Table of Contents3Unprecedented Times, Extraordinary BirdingRedstart Birding Staff8Angela's Tips for Smart Optics ShoppingAngela Anderson-Beach, Redstart BirdingManager11Pssst.Here's a Hint for Using This Guide!Redstart Birding Staff12Zeiss Victory SF 8x32 Binocular ReviewLuke Tiller, Zeiss Ambassador16Zeiss Binoculars18Zeiss Spotting Scopes20Things to Consider When Upgrading BinocularsWhitney Lanfranco, Leica Nature SalesManager26Leica Binoculars28Leica Spotting Scopes30Expert-Recommended Tips for Choosing aSwarovski BinocularClay Taylor, Swarovski Optik NaturalistMarket Manager1redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
37Swarovski Optik Binoculars39Swarovksi Optik Spotting Scopes42Insights for Buying Your First Spotting ScopeAdrian Lesak, Vortex Birding and ObservationManager49Vortex Optics Binoculars51Vortex Optics Spotting Scopes53Kowa Binoculars54Kowa Spotting Scopes57Celestron Binoculars58Celestron Spotting Scopes60Opticron Binoculars62Opticron Spotting Scopes63Steiner Binoculars64Nikon Binoculars65Phone Skope: Your New Favorite Bird-Watching ToolKiara Neilsen, Phone Skope Birding Liaison702Essential Gearredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Unprecedented Times,Extraordinary BirdingRedstart Birding Staff3redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
As we prepare to publish the 2021 RedstartBirding Optics Guide, we arebeginning to see some lightat the end of a long, dark,year-long tunnel.One year ago, in March2020, the governor of Ohiorequired that businesseslike ours close our doorstemporarily to help slow thespread of the rapidly growingpandemic in our state. In fullcompliance, and with fearfuland heavy hearts, RedstartBirding shut down completelyfor three weeks at that time.When we reopened in April,we determined that the bestway to keep our employeessafe and healthy would beto have eight of our staffmembers work from homeon a full-time basis, whilefour members would closelyadhere to all COVID-safe protocols and continue workingfrom our office building inMarietta, Ohio. We are happyto report that as of today wehave only had one personfrom our staff test positive forCOVID-19 in twelve months,and she remained quarantined throughout that period4with no contact with anyone.(We’re also grateful that sheexperienced no symptoms,and she has now also received her vaccine!) As oftoday, about half of our staffhave been vaccinated, andwe hope to see the other halfreceive their vaccines in thenear future.We have also seen something wonderful and quiteunexpected develop overthe past year. An unprecedented number of new folksaround the world have begun watching birds! Thereare likely several reasonsfor this. The bottom line is,millions of people were stuckat home with no place togo and little to do. Drovesof people went outside anddiscovered the birds they’dbeen missing in their ownbackyards! Individuals, couples, and families flocked tolocal parks, explored nearby trails, and enjoyed their“local outdoors” more thanever. We have experienced arecord number of new subscribers to our magazinesthis year, and more peoplehave shown interest in bird-redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
ing optics and gear than everbefore. For our staff, it hasdefinitely been “the best oftimes and the worst of times.”We were not only learningto adapt to an array of newcommunication platforms andremote working methods,but also keeping up with thisflood of “new birder” activity,which greatly increased ourworkload.All of us in the optics industry vastly underestimatedthe enormous influx of customers in 2020 as a result ofglobal lockdown. Because ofthe unusually high demandfor birding optics and gear,optics manufacturers experienced pressure to produce5more bird-watching productsthan ever before. No onecould have predicted howmany pieces of optical gear—at every price point—wouldbe sold in 2020! Althoughthe demand for birding opticsfar outdistanced the supplyin 2020, every single opticsmanufacturer is working hardto produce and ship birdingoptics in greater numbers.Our most popular productsare becoming more readilyavailable by the day as manufacturers continue to closethe gap on manufacturingand shipping times. We thankyou for your patience aswe’ve juggled the combinedchallenges of high demand,redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
limited product availability,and slower shipping timesduring the pandemic. Redstart Birding, along witheach of our optics partners,remains committed to putting the best birding opticsin your hands as quickly aspossible.In response to the globalpandemic and new healthand safety protocols, Redstart Birding has developeda new series of optics salesevents called Redstart onthe Road. We’ve hostedfour of these events thus farin 2021, and all have beenhighly successful, safe, andwell attended. Folks seem toreally like the ability to schedule a one-on-one personalappointment with an opticsconsultant without having towait in line or subject themselves to unwanted crowds.You can read more aboutour appointment-based,COVID-safe birding opticsevents on our website, andfind out if we’ll be visiting alocation near you! The bestpart is, everyone who makesa purchase at a Redstart onthe Road event receives a65% discount on everythingthey buy, and their local birdclub/conservation organization also receives 5% of totalsales throughout the event!We certainly hope that theCOVID-19 pandemic is goneas soon as possible. However, rest assured that ourRedstart on the Road eventswill continue in the monthsand years to come, evenwhen “normal” retail shopping resumes.Our entire Redstart Birdingstaff would like to thank youfor your commitment to usduring good times and bad.As a small, female-ownedlocal business in only ourfourth year, we are mostthankful for our optics manufacturing partners who continue to design and producesuch amazing products, andfor you—our valued, loyalpatrons. Thank you for shopping with us!We hope to see you inperson again soon.Until then, be safe, be well,and keep on birding!Sincerely,The Redstart Birding Staffredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
We're taking Redstart Birdingon the road this year!Look for us in a city near you!redstartbirding.com/ontheroadSome benefits of attending a ROTR event include: Try optics before you buy them 5% discount on all optics and gear 5% of sales will be donated to a local bird club Products purchased will be shipped to your home COVID-safe, sanitary, crowd-free setup Personal appointment with an optics consultant Close-to-home and convenientJoin our Redstart Birding VIP email list to learn more: redstartbirding.com/join-us7redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.comFollow RedstartBirding on Facebook:facebook.com/RedstartBirding
Angela’s Tips forSmart Optics ShoppingAngela Anderson-Beach,Redstart Birding ManagerWAs the first point of contactfor many Redstart shoppers, the person in chargeof making sure every ordergets shipped to its destination safely, and the bonafideexpert in the our tagline of“Optics, Gear, Expertise,”we thought that managerAngela Anderson-Beachwould be the perfect sourceof knowledge for all thingsoptics-buying. The followingtips answer questions thatwe get every day, often fromcustomers considering theirfirst optics purchase. Wehope they’ll help you, too!8hen you’re in themarket for a lighterbinocular, one easy trick isto look for something withsmaller objective lenses. A32mm binocular will typicallyweigh a bit less than a 42mmmodel, but always be sure tocheck and compare weightsbefore taking the plunge.A compact or pocket model will typically weigh evenless than these mid- andfull-sized models, but sometimes that means decreasedperformance. Mini bins makegreat backups for storing inyour bag or car in case yousee something interesting unexpectedly, though!A wide field of view (FOV)is handy for finding and tracking birds. This is the distancefrom edge-to-edge that yousee when looking through anredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
optic. If you’re a less experienced birder or are shoppingfor a child, we often recommend getting something witha larger FOV measurement.If you notice a number witha degree symbol on yourbinocular, that’s the angle ofview measurement. To findthe field of view in feet at1,000 yards, simply multiplythat number by 52.5.When it comes to magnification, the higher the number, the shorter the field ofview. So again, a lower magnification (such as 6.5, 7, or8) is often preferable for newbirders. Binoculars with lowermagnifications are often lesssusceptible to blurred images caused by shaky hands,which is a considerationamong many shoppers.We often recommend 8xbinoculars for birders watching fast-moving birds suchas warblers, as well as thosewanting an all-purpose model. For watching slower-moving birds like waterfowl andraptors, and birding in wideopen spaces, there is oftena little more time to find yoursubjects before they disap9pear. Using a more magnified10x in these instances willgive you looks with betterdetails without risking thesacrifice of not seeing thebird at all. And if you opt fora 12x or higher, you mightconsider investing in a tripodto support it!Everyone has their uniqueneeds and preferences whenit comes to birding, though,so don’t feel pressured tobuy models that won’t suityour birding style!The term “close focus” refers to the minimum distancea subject can be before anoptic can focus on it clearly.A lot of times, birders neverneed to have the shortestclose focus possible. If you’llbe insect watching, lookingat nearby birds in your backyard, or exploring boardwalkswith dense, up-close foliage,something with a shorterclose focus might serve youbetter.The exit pupil is the pinhole through which you viewa subject through a binocular. To get the exit pupil’smeasurement in millimeters,divide the size of your op-redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
tic’s objective lens diameterby its magnification power.Theoretically, the larger theexit pupil is, the greater thelight transmission is, andthe brighter the images willappear. Optics manufacturershave improved light transmission abilities by innovatinglens coatings that enhancetheir products’ visuals, however. But an 8x42 binocularshould have brighter visualsthan a 10x42 binocular of thesame brand and line.For birders with smallerfaces and closer-set eyes,look for binoculars with alower interpupillary distance(IPD). This measurement isthe space between the center of your eyes’ pupils. Youcan often get your IPD fromyour optometrist, or enlist a10friend with a ruler to take themeasurement for you. Don’tforget: It’s in millimeters!If you wear glasses, makesure to shop for optics withan eye relief of 15mm orhigher. This number indicatesthe optimal distance betweenyour corneas and an optic’seyepiece lens or eyecup, depending on the manufacturer.If the eye relief is too short,you might have problemswith dark rings, or “vignetting,” around the full images.And finally, we get lots ofquestions from birders withEagle Optics binoculars thatneed to be repaired! VortexOptics is now handling all ofEagle’s warranty services.Get more information atvortexoptics.com/vipwarranty.redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Pssst!.Here’s a hintfor using this guide:Many elements in this document are clickable!Each product image and specifications chart is linked to theRedstart Birding site, with every model in the line displayedon one collection page. Simply click or tap on these elementswithin this document to open our site in your web browserand find out more about the products that pique your interest.Brand logos are clickable, too!We’ve also peppered in links to blog posts, podcasts, videos,and more offerings that we think you might find helpful asyou’re shopping for optics. Look for the bold orange and darkgreen bubbles sprinkled throughout this document to takeyou to them.Need to get in touch with us as you’re reading? Our website URL, phone number, and email address are in the pagefooters. And if you click or tap them, you’ll find yourself on ourwebsite’s Contact Us page.And finally, all of the ads in this guide are connected with thebusiness sites they’re promoting. If something sparks yourinterest, discovering more is just one easy click or tap away!Happy reading, learning, and shopping!11redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
ZEISS Victory SF 8x32Binocular ReviewLuke Tiller, Zeiss ambassador12redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Iam so excited aboutthe new Zeiss VictorySF 8x32 binocular. For a longtime now 8x32s have beena favorite format of minebecause they offer the lightweight and compact sizethat are essential in my lifeas a tour guide and travelingbirder, so I have been waitingpatiently for a new high-end32 since the launch of theVictory SF line in 2014.What a surprising numberof people do not realize isthat in the same line of binoculars the 8x32 is alwaysgoing to give you the widerfield of view than a comparable 42, essentially because ofthe shorter body. One of themain features found acrossthe Victory lineup is theline's incredible field of viewand—here in the 32s it is aspectacular 465 feet at 1,000yards (20 percent larger thanmany comparable binoculars). Of course, that widefield of view is sharp edge toedge, with the Ultra FL Glassproviding a razor-sharp andtrue-to-life image.The binocular is extremely comfortable in the hands,13and the one-and-a-half turnsfrom the close focus of sixfeet (great for observingbutterflies and dragonflies aswell as birds) to infinity provides the speed of focus birders require but also allows foreasy precision adjustmentswhen required. The focus onthe binocular is silky smooth,as befits the SF designation(special focus), and the threestops on the eyecups allowme to set them precisely formy favored stepped downposition.As a professional hawkwatcher, I find people oftenthink that extra magnificationwould be the key elementthat you would be looking forin a birding binocular, however many eschew more magnification for a wide field ofview and a bright image. Lotsof professional hawkwatchers used to use seven powerbinoculars to get just that,however with the SFs you nolonger need to sacrifice themagnification to achieve that.When you have a lot of opensky to cover, the large fieldof view allows you to do thatmore quickly, and a bright im-redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
biologist, I am often wearingmy binoculars for up to 12hours a day, so I want as lighta pair of binoculars aroundmy neck as possible. Thisis ever more relevant thesedays, when like many birders I am also encumberedby a camera and/or spottingRed-tailed hawk,scope. With these new Victoby Luke Tillerry SF 8x32s you are lookingat a binocular that weighs aage can be especially usefulwhen trying to pick out plum- third less than many of theage detail on backlit birds. Of high-end 42s, and that lack ofweight around my neck is acourse, actually getting onmassive draw.the bird is of importance toOf course, all optics areall birders, and a large field ofview is important, as it allows something of a tradeoff, andwith the 8x32s you sacrificeyou to find birds more easily,a little light gathering; howa key starting point for anyever, thanks to the incrediblebird ID.What I love about the 8x42 light transmission of this newVictory SF is that it combines Zeiss Victory, for most birders,that’s not going to be pera remarkably wide field ofceptible.I regularly lead toursview with optimal balance inthe hand. They also take thetop spot as the lightest 42on the market—a record theyhold to this day. In my mindthere is no point having awide field of view in a clunkyand heavy binocular that willbe exhausting to carry all day.Swainson's hawk,As a professional tour guide,by Luke Tillerhawkwatcher, and wildlife14redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
in Panama in fall to see thepair of 8x32s is a no-brainer,spectacle of hawk migrationin my opinion, especially ifthere. That migration coinyou plan to pack and carry acides with the rainy season,camera or scope, too.and days often can be heavilyThe new Zeiss Victory isovercast. Even birding deepa binocular that marries thein forests in those overcastincredible quality of glass andconditions, with a Zeiss 8x32 innovative lightweight techI have not ever felt like thatnology that you’ve come tohas impacted my ability toexpect from the Zeiss Victoryidentify and enjoy birds.line with a compact design.Though I cannot currentlyIf you do not currently owntravel to rainforests to testa high-end binocular, youthese out, I have taken these need to check out the newnew SFs up to the mountains Victory SF 32 before you buyhere in Los Angeles to useanything else. If you have aat dawn and dusk in foresthigh-end 8x42 and are thinked conditions, and with theiring about something lighteramazing light transmissionand more compact, eitherthey perform incredibly well.for travel or as your primaryI’ve always been somebinocular, then you need tothing of an 8x32 evangelist.check out this extraordinaryWhen I am working at birding little binocular!festivals, I always ask peopleto look at the 32s, and it’samazing how many convertsI’ve made. It always surprises me when I see peoplelugging around these huge,heavy binoculars that really do not seem to fit comfortably in their hands. TheGet the Victory SF 32. »weight savings and compactsize alone make them suchan appealing format, and a15redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
BinocularsTerra ED PocketTerra EDVictory PocketConquest HDVictory T*FLVictory SFZeiss Terra ED PocketModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x25357 ft6.2 ft16mm35–72mm10.9 oz 349.9910x25291 ft6.2 ft16mm35–72mm10.9 oz 379.99Zeiss Terra EDModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x32405 ft4.9 ft16.5mm56–74mm18 oz 399.9910x32320.2 ft5.2 ft16.5mm56–74mm18 oz 449.998x42375 ft5.25 ft18mm58–75.5mm24.5 oz 449.9910x42330 ft5.25 ft15mm58–75.5mm24.4 oz 499.99
Zeiss Victory PocketModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x25357 ft6.2 ft16.5mm34–74mm10.9 oz 819.9910x25291 ft6.2 ft16.5mm34–74mm10.9 oz 879.99Zeiss Conquest HDModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x32420 ft4.9 ft16mm54–74mm22 oz 929.9910x32354 ft4.9 ft16mm54–74mm22.2 oz 979.998x42384 ft6.5 ft18mm54–74mm28 oz 999.9910x42346 ft6.5 ft17mm52–74mm28 oz 1,049.99Zeiss Victory T*FLModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusWeightIPDWeightPrice8x32420 ft6.56 ft19.75 oz52–74mm19.75 oz 2,099.9910x32360 ft6.6 ft19.75 oz52–74mm19.75 oz 2,149.99Zeiss Victory SFModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x32465 ft6.4 ft19mm54–76mm21.2 oz 2,249.9910x32390 ft6.4 ft19mm54–76mm20.8 oz 2,299.998x42444 ft4.9 ft18mm54–76mm27.5 oz 2,699.9910x42360 ft4.9 ft18mm54–76mm27.5 oz 2,749.99Watch Zeiss ambassadorLuke Tiller discussthe new Victory SF 32. »
Spotting ScopesConquest GaviaVictory HarpiaZeiss Conquest GaviaSizeMagnificationFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEye Relief Weight85mm30–60x99–69 ft10.8 ft16.7–15.5mm60 ozPrice 1,999.99Zeiss Victory Harpia with EyepieceSizeMagnificationFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEye Relief WeightPrice85mm22–65x189.6–63 ft11.4 ft18mm76 oz 4,499.9995mm23–70x176.4–58.5 ft14.7 ft18mm81.1 oz 4,799.99Read Ben Lizdas’s reviewof the Victory Harpiaspotting scope. »18redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Find what you aresearching for.With an extremely widefield of view.NEW: ZEISS Victory SF 32With birds often hiding in dense cover, it’sessential that you have a wide field of viewto allow you to spot any slight movements.The wide field of view of the ZEISS Victory SF32 results in a 20% larger area of observationcompared to other leading brands, giving theuser an impressive g.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
Things to Consider WhenUpgrading BinocularsWhitney Lanfranco, LeicaNature Sales ManagerWhen I first beganbirding as a young,poor, college student, I didwhat most people do: I wentout and bought the only pairof binoculars I could afford.Even the 200 price tag wasterrifying and meant manymeals of ramen noodleswere in my future. Althoughthey served my purpose wellenough, there were times Ifound myself frustrated whenother people were calling outfield marks and better ableto identify species, especiallyin bad light or atmospheric conditions. I would keepquiet while these seasoned20birders discussed obscuredetails, and decided I justwasn’t a good enough birderyet. It wasn’t until a seasonedold-timer saw me squintingagainst heat shimmer andhanded me their much better(and higher-priced) binoculars that I realized I was agood birder, but my binoculars had been holding meback.We have come a longway since the Victorian dayswhen people took theiropera glasses into the greatoutdoors to see birds better.The technology allowed tous today has taken our viewing experiences to levelsour forebearers never couldhave imagined. Birding is ahobby that continues to growand become more popular.When choosing optics, theredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
age-old adage of “you getwhat you pay for” comes intoplay. Premium binoculars aregoing to come at a premiumprice. When I was working asa guide, I had many birdersask me, “Are those binocularsworth the price?” My answerto them, and you today, isquite simply: YES.If you just casually scanout your window now andagain, I might take that statement back and say you arewelcome to buy premiumbinoculars, but you wouldprobably be fine at a lowerprice. However, if you aresomeone who regularly goesout birding, who goes onlocal bird walks or frequentsparks, who travels for birds,who visits birding festivals,someone for whom birdingis anything from a regularhobby to a lifestyle, then youshould buy the absolute bestbinoculars you can afford.Now that we have agreedit’s time to upgrade, the nextquestion is: What is the rightbinocular for you? In the optics world, one size does notfit all, so even if your friendswears their binoculars are21the best, that just means theyare the best for them. Thereare many things to consider on your premium opticsshopping journey. Most people want to upgrade becausethey want to improve theirexperience overall, but whatdoes that experience entail?Are you birding in a placethat’s highly wooded withdense trees, or where thereare open fields and far-offhawks? Will you be takingthis binocular on adventureslike a pelagic or tropical birding, or is it more birding yourlocal patch? What has affected your birding experiencewith your old equipment? Is itlight, field of view, eye relief,or a combination of severalthings? If you are starting topanic, take a deep breath;there are plenty of optics gurus to help you answer thesequestions.We will start with weight.Everyone judges a binocularby how it feels when theypick it up. Unfortunately,there is no true lightweightpremium binocular. Qualityglass is heavy, and we arebuying these binoculars forredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
the quality glass. I understand, there is nothing worsethan being on a long hike andyour binoculars start to makeyour neck ache. A shoulderharness can alleviate a lot ofweight issues, but you stillwant to enjoy wearing yourbinoculars rather than leaving them at home. When itcomes to optics, there area lot of specifications thatcome with every product. IfI paid attention to only thespecs, I would have a vastlydifferent pair of binocularsthan I do. In the case ofweight, however, the numbers don’t lie. Keep in mindthat the binocular might feelheavier even if the specs say22it weighs less; this is because the binocular might bemore compact, therefore it isdenser. The thing you shouldconsider is not which oneweighs the least, but whatbinocular gives you a premierviewing experience withoutthe weight being an issue.You have picked up yoursoon-to-be new binocularsand now you look throughthem and the world changesforever, or does it? Keep inmind that festivals are oftenheld in locations with goodlighting, so when you are using them inside you might notnotice things like the sharpness of contrast or low-lightperformance. When shoppingredstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
for binoculars it’s importantto go outside and get a feelfor what they can do whenthe conditions aren’t perfect.Things to consider while youare comparing different kindsare field of view, light transmission, eye relief, sharpnessof contrast, and stray-lightreduction, to name a few.Eye relief is something topay attention to when testing binoculars. The specs oneye relief can be misleadingbecause different companiesmeasure them in differentways. Some measure fromthe cornea to the binocular'soptical lens, while others(such as Leica) measure fromthe cornea to the eyecup.This will especially be important if you wear glasses, asthey bottom out at the eyecup, not the lens. Specs arehelpful, but sometimes theyare intentionally misleading,an under-promise in hopesof overdelivering. Ultimately,trying the binoculars will giveyou a feel for the best eyerelief for you.Lower magnification isgoing to give you a largerfield of view and brighter23image versus a higher powerbinocular. It is also going togive you a steadier image.We all have a natural shaketo our hands, and at a highermagnification it will be morenoticeable. Leica has the only7-power binocular availableat the premium level: the7x42 Ultravid HD Plus. Oneuser review calls them:“Perfect for aging eyesand hands Its resolution,contrast, glare suppression,and depth of field are superior to anything I’ve usedbefore.”Although a larger field ofview is something many birders desire (understandably),the most important take-awayis that peak optical performance is not made up of onething but a combination. Thespecs might say a binocularhas a large field of view, butif the distortion is bad andthe edges are out of focus,that isn’t going to be a goodviewing experience.Regarding light transmission: A brighter image willchange your viewing expe-redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
“The view is incrediblybright, crisp, and pops out atyou.”“They are the brightestand clearest we have everused.”Ultravid HD-Plus withlaughing gullrience and allow you to seethose minute details thathave been missing from yourbirding life. Again, the specscan be misleading. A binocular might boast a high lighttransmission, but that couldmean they peak at a certaincolor instead of across thecolor spectrum. The imagemight then have a slight washto it. You will notice the initialbrightness of several premium binoculars when tryingthem. So, try to find something in the shadows and testthem in harsh or low light tosee where that light transmission will make a difference.The reviews for the Leica Noctivids emphasize theunparalleled performance inlow-light conditions:24“Images are bright, andcolors stand out in a way Ihaven’t seen in years.”However, reviews alsorecognize the combination ofattributes found in a premiumbinocular:“Excellent contrast andresolution of fine detail.”“Bright, sharp, edge-toedge, and have a greatdepth of field.”Aside from an enhancedviewing experience, premiumbinoculars also offer a higherquality product overall. Bygoing up to a higher pricelevel, you will be getting adurable product designedto last. They are tested inconditions like extreme coldand heat, high humidity, andforce. Most premium binocu-redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
lars have multi-coated lensesand some sort of hydrophobic coating. Leica’s is knownas Aquadura and not onlyworks to repel water fromthe lenses but also to protectthem from scratches. TheLeica Ultravid HD-Plus andNoctivid are waterproof, fogproof, shock-proof, and canwithstand pressure down to16 feet or up to 18,000 feet.They are meant to be used.When upgrading, you're getting a product that is ready tostand the test of any adventure and lasts for many years.Going premium doesn’talways mean you have togo above 2,000. If that justisn’t in your budget, upgrading a little can greatlyenhance your viewing. TheLeica Trinovid HD, for example, comes in under 1,000and, while it doesn’t have thesame durability of the higherbinoculars, it is still ruggedand reliable and doesn’t sacrifice on light transmission,color, and field of view.One reviewer states:actually. The build quality istop-notch. I was looking topurchase a pair of qualitybinoculars that gave me areally good image for a reasonable price.”When it comes to yournext optics purchase, remember that you know what suitsyou best. Start with a budgetin mind and then test everything you can. It’s best not tobuy a premium binocular untilyou have compared it to atleast one equivalent-qualitycompetitor. Again, one sizedoes not fit all. Specs arehelpful, but understand howthose numbers are achieved,and that premium quality isa combination of many factors. Upgrading binoculars isexciting and should be fun!It might seem a little daunting at first, but once you findthat perfect match, you won’tregret the enhancements andjoy it brings to your birdingexperience. We are all goodbirders; we just have to findthe right optics!“The image is tack sharp,beyond what I imagined25redstartbirding.com 833-262-1568 sales@redstartbirding.com
BinocularsTrinovid BCAUltravid BRTrinovid HDTrinovid ClassicUltravid HD-PlusNoctividLeica Trinovid BCAModelFOV @1,000 ydCloseFocusEyeReliefIPDWeightPrice8x20340 ft9.8 ft14mm32–74mm8.3 oz 549.0010x25312 ft16.4 ft13.7mm32–8
Optics manufacturers have improved light transmis-sion abilities by innovating lens coatings that enhance their products’ visuals, how-ever. But an 8x42 binocular should have brighter visuals than a 10x42 binoc
22 Laser Lab 22 Laser Lab - Optics 23 LVD 23 LVD - Optics 24 Mazak 31 Mazak - Optics 32 Mazak - General Assembly 34 Mitsubishi 36 Mitsubishi - Optics 37 Mitsubishi - General Assembly 38 Precitec 41 Precitec - Optics 42 Prima 43 Prima - Optics 44 Salvagnini 45 Strippit 46 Tanaka 47 Trumpf 51 Trumpf - Optics
PAFMO257 Physical Optics 78 PAFMO260 Quantum Optics 80 PAFMO265 Semiconductor Nanomaterials 82 PAFMO266 Strong-Field Laser Physics 84 PAFMO270 Theory of Nonlinear Optics 85 PAFMO271 Thin Film Optics 86 PAFMO272 Terahertz Technology 88 PAFMO280 Ultrafast Optics 90 PAFMO290 XUV and X-Ray Optics 92 PAFMO901 Topics of Current Research I 93
Fiber Optics Lab Manual PREFACE This series of fiber optics laboratory experiments was developed by Professor Elias Awad for the FOA under a NSF grant. It is intended to introduce students in technical high schools and colleges to the technology of fiber optics. No previous experience in fiber optics is required. Students are expected to read all
1051-455-20073, Physical Optics 1 Laboratory 7: Fourier Optics 1.1 Theory: References: Introduction to Optics, Pedrottis, Chapters 11 and 21, Optics, E. Hecht, Chapters 10 and 11 The Fourier transform is an equivalent representation of a function or image in terms of the “amount” of
2 Vortex Optics Vortex Optics at www.vortexoptics.com 3 For hundreds of years, people have used optics to enhance vision, as well as optimize effectiveness of shooting equipment. Whether glassing up that big buck, taking aim, or simply observing the natural world, great optics make great experiences. Optics can be very task-specifi c.
Recommended reading -lasers and nonlinear optics: Lasers, by A. Siegman (University Science Books, 1986) Fundamentals of Photonics, by Saleh and Teich (Wiley, 1991) The Principles of Nonlinear Optics, by Y. R. Shen (Wiley, 1984) Nonlinear Optics, by R. Boyd (Academic Press, 1992) Optics, by Eugene Hecht (Addison-Wesley, 1987)
Hecht, Optics (optional) Saleh & Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics (optional) Labs: Mon/Wed 1:25-4:25PM Clark 405 1st lab this Monday . this course - except no nonlinear optics. 5 Introduction P3330 Exp Optics FA'2016 Postulates* of optics *from Latin "a request, demand": a self-evident proposition .
Mental health in primary care A briefing for Clinical Commissioning Groups 5 One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, but most of us don’t get professional help. Of those of us who do get treatment, the majority are treated within primary care.10 This is why good mental health support in primary care is so important. Local GPs and other primary care staff .
