74 replies to this topic

[25585]

Owning a pair of Swift branded binoculars?

 

I have half a dozen Osprey models, and a Derby. All are 7.5x42, the Derby is IFE, Ospreys are CF.

[Erik Bakker]

Swift Audubon 8.5x44 HR/5 sn. 987xxx 

Fully multi coated, the last and final iteration of the classic Audubon porro 

Great at night, but perhaps even better for wildlife observing.

 

Here is a picture of that beauty, next to my Nikon 18x70:

 

[SMark]

I still have 2 different Holiday models, 1 Panoramic (which is identical to a Holiday) and a Sport King. I do also have an Audubon but it's not in working condition and is pretty much a parts donor at this point.

[MisterDan]

Just the Katsuma Triton, for now.  I will likely end up with a Trilyte model 715 (FPO), but that's a "someday" thing.

 

Other '50s Swifties may grab me, too - perhaps the entire Kowa-made lineup:  Commodore, Stag, Neptune, Sea Hawk, Medalist.

 

Cheers.

Dan

 

EDIT:  the Williams, Brown, & Earle "Perfection" is a twin of the Sport King, so that may qualify as a "Swift in disguise."

Edited by MisterDan, 21 December 2024 - 09:32 PM.

[Mark Y.]

Definitely!

 

My three little grand daughters are too but, for a different reason.

 

Two mint Audubons here......Later model 8.5x44 (before the ED style) and a nice 10x50 Kestrel.

[rjlastroscanvt]

In 1977 I purchased my first astronomical optical device: a pair of 7 X 50 Swift Navigator Mark I "Fully Coated" and "Extra Wide Field (10°+ FOV I believe)

I still have them  and occasionally use them.

Mostly, I keep them for sentimental reasons

My modern APM MAG/ED 7 X 50 are optically far superior but have only a 7.5°FOV.

.

[MrZoomZoom2017]

I currently have 13 models:

 

704 Sport King 7x35

704 Triton Mk II 7x35
717 Storm King Mk II 7x50

748 Triton 7x35

751 Newport Mk II 10x50

754 Osprey Mk II 7.5x42

766 Holiday Mk II 7x35
789 Skipper 7x50

789R Skipper Mk I 7x50
804 Audubon Mk II 8.5x44 (4 different versions)
823 Commodore Mark II 7x50
825 Newport 10x50
826 Kestrel Audubon HR/5 10x50

 

However, being called a Swifty reminds me of a certain singer that I personally can't listen to...    

 

Cheers,

Tim

[zoso916]

HaHa, you got me. I am a Swifty in the Pop sense. And for the "record" I'm very much a heavy metal, blues rock, hard bop jazz kind of person. For some reason TS just does it for me. Say what you want, but she is talented. 

[swhf736]

Alright, despite the moniker, I’ll confess to owning more Swifty porros than I ever needed:

 

704 Sport King 7x35
748 Triton Mark I 7x35
751 Admiral Mark I 10x50
760 Ultra Lite 7x42
761 Ultra Lite 8x42
789 Skipper Mark I 7x50
804 Audubon HR/5 8.5x44 (FMC, serial 9927XX, one of the last & much like Erik’s)
804R Audubon 8.5x44
823 Commodore Mark II 7x50
847 Vanguard 15x60

 

These are mostly late 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, & maybe very early 2000s, Japan J-B56 manufacture (with a couple exceptions on the manufacturer). All in great shape and some almost like new.

 

I do utilize the HR/5, Sport King and Commodore on occasion for astronomy. The HR/5 is a great all around porro binocular for me, even today.

 

My wife & I were at a country music concert, I think about two decades ago, when the namesake singer was an opening act of sorts and kind of just getting her big start.

[semlin]

very guilty.  i count 34.  also some vegas.

 

8 tritons

holiday 

holiday mark ii

neptune

3 neptune mark ii

2 tourists

nighthawk 770

nighthawk 787

nighthawk 788

model 703

minerva

sea hawk

commodore mark ii

skipper mark 1 model 789r

3 x skipper 789

admiral mark 1

2 x audubon mark 2

audubon mark 2 mc

saratoga

saratoga mark 2

plover

Edited by semlin, 22 December 2024 - 02:04 AM.

[PEterW]

Just the one, Audubon MkII sn 725xxx, recently serviced to remove a bit of backlash on the focuser, now silky smooth. Very nice, wide daytime views.

[Rich V.]

I bought a Swift Skipper 7x50 as my first "astro" oriented binocular in 1971.  I ended up giving it to my father in law when I made the step down in size to my Nikon 7x35E.  I actually ended up enjoying the Nikons more than I did the Swifts, sorry to say...  

[Erik Bakker]

[….]

 I actually ended up enjoying the Nikons more than I did the Swifts, sorry to say...  

I am in the same boat, though that takes nothing away from some once in a lifetime wildlife views I had with my Audubon 8.5x44 and many wonderful hours under the stars. Love it’s unique combination of form factor, specs, heritage and easy views.

[J. Barnes]

Only have three. Two of which are Tamron (JB-45). Great excuse to break them out of their closet collection and find my love again.

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Edited by J. Barnes, 22 December 2024 - 02:16 PM.

[semlin]

Only have three. Two of which are Tameron (JB-45). Great excuse to break them out of their closet collection and find my love again.

 

how is the zoom?  if anyone can pull a zoom off in that era it would be tamron.

 

also fyi that is a 1958 audubon which i believe is the first year of production.  great unique binocular!

[semlin]

I bought a Swift Skipper 7x50 as my first "astro" oriented binocular in 1971.  I ended up giving it to my father in law when I made the step down in size to my Nikon 7x35E.  I actually ended up enjoying the Nikons more than I did the Swifts, sorry to say...  

the original skipper is my least favourite model.   the optics are decent but it is heavy and clunky and has a hard to operate focus wheel.

[J. Barnes]

Zoom is pretty decent and has BAK4 prisms. Unfortunately the bronze bands that tie the two eyepiece zooms together gave up the ghost a while ago. Working on some replacements. I’ve been simultaneously turning both eyepieces for the time being. Hoping to have it up and running by spring. Crazy how much most zooms cost back in the day.

[careysub]

Owning a pair of Swift branded binoculars?

 

I have half a dozen Osprey models, and a Derby. All are 7.5x42, the Derby is IFE, Ospreys are CF.

I thought this was going to be about joining the Swift-Tuttle Observer's Club (not admitting new members since 1995 until 2125).

 

Seems like a good tee-shirt idea - but a limited number of potential buyers.

Edited by careysub, 22 December 2024 - 02:56 PM.

[bulletdodger]

Too many and not yet cataloged. Swift pulled off some beautiful forms as well performance, in the Hunter, Sportstar and my favorite, the Chevy Chase. My favorite for performance is the Audubon 804 445/1000 version. Hits every factor I need for Astronomy and daytime viewing. Great for launches from Canaveral.

[LoveWillSteerTheStars]

Zoom is pretty decent and has BAK4 prisms. Unfortunately the bronze bands that tie the two eyepiece zooms together gave up the ghost a while ago. Working on some replacements. I’ve been simultaneously turning both eyepieces for the time being. Hoping to have it up and running by spring. Crazy how much most zooms cost back in the day.

Swift 7-12x40 Zoom. Model 847. 355 Ft SO 6.8 Deg. Fully Coated. No. 20-65xxxx.

Zoom too stiff to use, afraid it might break. Aluminum gears - maybe corrosion friction? If I could figure out what to do about the zoom mechanism, it still needs internal cleaning & re-greasing.  Maybe turn it upside down & apply a generous amount of Kroil to the gears?  And I don't know how to get the eyepieces off a zoom, so I can remove the plate & clean the prisms.

[semlin]

Swift 7-12x40 Zoom. Model 847. 355 Ft SO 6.8 Deg. Fully Coated. No. 20-65xxxx.

Zoom too stiff to use, afraid it might break. Aluminum gears - maybe corrosion friction? If I could figure out what to do about the zoom mechanism, it still needs internal cleaning & re-greasing.  Maybe turn it upside down & apply a generous amount of Kroil to the gears?  And I don't know how to get the eyepieces off a zoom, so I can remove the plate & clean the prisms.

no help on the repair, but woul i be correct that binocular is jb22 itabashi?  just confirming my latest addition to the swift serial number codex

[hallelujah]

Years ago I had the Swift 20x80 Satellite, but passed it along to another CN member.

 

Today all I have is the Swift SARATOGA  MARK I 8X40 Bk7.

 

I also had a Swift 7x50, made in China, but gave it away as well.

 

Stan

 

https://www.cloudyni...atellite-20x80/

 

I just remembered that I used to own a Swift 7x50 Skipper years ago. Did not care for the one I had.

Edited by hallelujah, 23 December 2024 - 12:32 PM.

[DozerCSX]

Swifty all the way!

I was tainted early - my only pair has been my Swift Audubon 8.5x44 HR/5 4b(2), nothing I have ever looked through can match the center FOV for sharpness and contrast... I'm the original owner, one of the best purchases of my life.

 

I just picked up my second pair of Swifts! Check out my other post from today, "Barn Find", this Swift Navigator Mk1 7x50 with a 10 deg FOV, for 8 bucks from a thrift shop! Crazy.

They look like sisters in this picture, both with their own "unique attributes".

Let's Go Birding! And Star Gazing!

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Edited by DozerCSX, 08 March 2025 - 07:46 PM.

[SiPEX]

Obviously "Swifty" means owning a pair (or more) of Swift binoculars.  What else could it mean?  Certainly nothing to do with all the non-optics related stuff that shows in SGW search results when searching for "swift".

Definitely a Swifty here as the 704 Sport Kings are my favorite binoculars.

Also have a pair of 8x30 Hunters but the IPD adjustment is a bit too loose for them to be usable.

[semlin]

Obviously "Swifty" means owning a pair (or more) of Swift binoculars.  What else could it mean?  Certainly nothing to do with all the non-optics related stuff that shows in SGW search results when searching for "swift".

Definitely a Swifty here as the 704 Sport Kings are my favorite binoculars.

Also have a pair of 8x30 Hunters but the IPD adjustment is a bit too loose for them to be usable.

often that loose ipd can be fixed easily by tightening the bottom hinge since most hinges of that era can be adusted with a wide flat head screwdriver.  happy to talk you through it if you want to try.  first step is to unscrew the cosmetic bottom hinge plate and post a photo of what lies beneath.