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richtea
sage
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 208
Loc: UK Yorkshire
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Hi all
Just back from US after 3 week holiday and thought i would post my new addition to the Optics stable
Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 porro 804 FMC
This is i think about one of the last Swift Audubon 804's prior to the 820 model arriving
Manufactured 2001 according to the serial number and "new" in box (an off the shelf demo i suspect)
Just to say what a lovely optic this is
Bright wide view with very high resoloution (i have difficulty separating centrefield from my 10 x 42 Nikon SE and thats praise indeed i think)
I also can hold this rather old fashioned designed porro very smoothly and steadily and i think the 8.5 mag is just that touch of an extra bonus over some 8 x bins
I suppose its same old same old from me ie old porros are golden
I know it cant take a soaking but what a view
Strangely on brief sky watching i cant seem to see the poor edge definition people often mention
I can see some fall off past 70-80% out but it doesnt appear life threatening to my eyes
I will use this bino a lot i feel
Theres just something about the easy relaxed view that i know will keep calling me back to pick it up and look
And hey thats what we buy em for surely
Best regards to all
RichT
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Carl Zeiss MC Jenoptem 10 x 50
Nikon SE 10 x 42
Nikon E11 8 x 30 + 10 x 35
Bresser/Meade x2 10 x 50(40)
Pentax Papilo 6.5 x 21
Minolta Activa WP FP 8 x 40
Praktica WA Lanthanum x2 8 x 25
Swift Audubon 804 FMC 8.5 x 44
Fujinon CD Phase Coated Roof 7 x 42
Opticron Minerva Porro 9 x 35
Opticron Vega 11 WA Porro 12 x 50
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Rich ,
I know you've been waiting for what seems a very long time for this binocular , so congratulations !
That model was one of my old favourites too :-)
Nice to have you back from holiday !
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2457
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RichT-
Congrats on the addition! I have been studying the Swift line for some time, and still don't quite understand the differences between the 804's and the newer 820's... I know the newer ones are waterproof, the old ones weren't... then there's also the newer 820ED's.. anyone have any comments?? As well as the differences between the older and newer ultralights? I have a pair of the 765 ultralight 8.5x44ED's.. where do these fall into the picture?
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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richtea
sage
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 208
Loc: UK Yorkshire
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Hi Wes
Well i think the optical formula on the 804 models and the 820 are of a similair spec but some prefer the earlier design for its alleged stronger bridge design
Some comments have been posted suggesting the 820 models have a plastic style eyepiece bridge which is prone to movement causing loss of clean focus
I tried a pair of the 820's a while back and couldnt honestly see any weakness
I bought the 804 because i tried a pair a couple of years back and they were one of those bins you just want to look through (bit like Nikon E2's)
Also the last of the 804 models appealed to me as a "classic" of sorts and is i think a "quiet triumph" for a smaller company
The 820 model has twist up eyecups whereas the 804 are the traditional rubber fixed cups
I think the 820 model cups are quite big and only lock out in the up or down position
Honestly Wes i dont think you can go wrong with either version and the 820 price is just great when you compare the view against the Alpha models
The resoloution and image are excellent in both Swift variants and many earlier Audubons
As for the ED models in earlier 804 guise well i,ve never tried a pair
I have looked through an 820 ED last year and it was a super clean image although i couldnt truthfully say it was better than the standard 820
Its said the ED glass gives less CA and purer colour delivery and it may be the case but i think its probably a relatively small difference
I guess if you try both and can see it then ED is the choice but if you cant pick up a differential the standard is fine
Of course there is a person recently joined CN with more knowledge on Swift products than just about anyone i can recall
Come on Ed where are you ?
Regards
RichT
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Carl Zeiss MC Jenoptem 10 x 50
Nikon SE 10 x 42
Nikon E11 8 x 30 + 10 x 35
Bresser/Meade x2 10 x 50(40)
Pentax Papilo 6.5 x 21
Minolta Activa WP FP 8 x 40
Praktica WA Lanthanum x2 8 x 25
Swift Audubon 804 FMC 8.5 x 44
Fujinon CD Phase Coated Roof 7 x 42
Opticron Minerva Porro 9 x 35
Opticron Vega 11 WA Porro 12 x 50
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