Hi Gary and other tweets,

I've had my Nikon 10X42 superior E's since their first year on the market,
about six years ago. I bought them on the strength of an optics review in
"Birding". They were rated as having the brightest and clearest image of
all of the $1000+ binoculars despite (or because of) their porro prism
structure. So they look clunky and old-fashioned compared to roof prism
types but they are lighter and well balanced. I've made comparisons in the
field and I believe that they are still the brightest except for the
Brunton Epochs which sell for about $1500. I paid $700 for my Nikons and
they have performed flawlessly in wet and/or cold conditions. I've birded
around the lower 48 as well as Hawaii and Alaska, Mexico, Ecuador and
Antarctica. The toughest conditions are on pelagic trips: endless sea, a
bouncing boat and salt spray determined to spoil your view. In bad weather
I keep the crumbguard on when they aren't pressed to my eyes. That helps
keep the lenses dry and clean.

Two negative factors; 1. The focus is slow and, 2. as with most 10 powers,
the depth of field is shallow. You can have them trained on the location of
a bird in brush but if the focus isn't within a foot or so the bird may
escape unseen. If I can ever accumulate enough money I will spring for the
Bruntons. They're light and bright and quick to focus. Check out Anacortes
Telescope; you can compare many different brands and if you find the ones
you like, buy them there. Why send your money out of state to a business
that does nothing for Washington birding?

Good birding in Costa Rica, Alan Roedell roedell at speakeasy.net

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Gary Bletsch
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 9:08 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: keep those optics suggestions coming!

Dear Tweeters,

Thanks for all the optics suggestions! I would welcome
any more.

So far, Swarovski 8.5 X 42 EL has four votes, B & L
Elites have two, and a host of others one each. Nikon
Superior E actually has two votes if I count a mention
that it is a BVD reference standard.

I do agree with the "go for the gusto" theory; the
Gustovians all shout, "Swarovski!--just as they once
shouted "Zeiss!"

However, the Nikons are less expensive than the
Swarovskis. So here is a question: do any Tweeters out
there have a notion as to the water- and fog-proofness
of the Nikon Superior E?

Also, how does Nikon's customer service stand up to
Swarovski's (to the chorus on the excellence of which
I can add my voice)?

Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
PS A Peregrine zipped by my house in the pouring rain
today. Neat!

=====

Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch

near Lyman (Skagit County), Washington

garybletsch at yahoo.com





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