Pros: Exquisite image across an expansive and immersive field of view. Bright, clear and razor sharp... the Victory SF is optically up there with the best binoculars I've ever used. Superb balance, comparatively light weight and excellent overall build quality make for a compelling all-round package.Cons: Even for an "alpha" class binocular the c. €2,500 price tag is … [Read more...] about ZEISS Victory SF 10×42 Binocular Review
Highly Recommended
Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 Binocular Review
Pros: Bright, high contrast views with natural looking colours and excellent fine detail even at lower light levels. Impressively lightweight, yet still feel extremely robust. Packed with high-end features at a price that represents exceptional value.Cons: None worth noting.Price: Listed in the Birdwatch Ireland Shop for €230, RRP on the Hawke UK website is GB£169.99 … [Read more...] about Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 Binocular Review
Pettersson D240X Bat Detector Review
Pros: Very solid, well made detector that feels like a quality item in the hand. Large array of controls and options offer lots of customisation and tweaks for the discerning enthusiast or bat research professional. Very sensitive microphone picks up bats with ease. High quality speaker, dials and excellent backlit LCD display. Tuneable heterodyne detector great for listening … [Read more...] about Pettersson D240X Bat Detector Review
Hawke Frontier ED 8×43 Binocular Review
Pros: Excellent high-contrast image with vibrant colours and good detail across the exceptionally wide field of view. Very bright optics that perform well across a range of challenging light conditions. Great build quality and finish for the price: feel very solid, without being overly heavy and excellent balance makes them comfortable in use. Good close focus to 2m coupled … [Read more...] about Hawke Frontier ED 8×43 Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 8×32 Binocular Review
Keen birder and Ireland's Wildlife contributor Colin Barton puts the Meopta MeoStar 8x32 through its paces, and is suitably impressed.Pros: Great image quality — can rival the best optics on the market today. Very sharp and crisp, with great low light performance and a good wide field of view. Binoculars feel very sturdy and well-built. 30 year warranty among the best … [Read more...] about Meopta MeoStar B1 8×32 Binocular Review
Vortex Razor HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Razor HD 10x42 Short ReviewPros: good looks, superb ergonomics and tough, lightweight design coupled with premium optics and coatings make for a very compelling package that rivals top tier European binoculars. Stunning image quality and excellent handling make the Razor an absolute joy to use. The vortex VIP lifetime, transferable no quibble warranty is simply … [Read more...] about Vortex Razor HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 10×42 HD Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 10x42 HD: Short Review Pros: Outstanding image quality -- superb sharpness, detail and brightness. Up there with the very best optics on the market today. Good wide field of view, excellent edge sharpness and great low light performance. Optically there's absolutely nothing to criticise here. Body feels bulletproof. Amazing padded strap has to be seen to be … [Read more...] about Meopta MeoStar B1 10×42 HD Binocular Review
Gear Review: Paramo Valez Adventure Light Smock
Paramo Valez Adventure Light Smock: Short Review Pros: Light weight and convenient to carry; very comfortable to wear; easy to pull on and off; outstanding "directional" waterproof performance; windproof; quiet "low rustle" fabric; robust, despite it's lightweight design.Cons: A bit short on pockets compared to a full-on outdoor jacket -- but apart from that I didn't find … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Paramo Valez Adventure Light Smock
Base Layer Review: Patagonia Men’s Capilene® 3 Midweight Crew
A good base layer makes a real differenceWhen you're out watching wildlife you often find yourself in unpredictable weather, in inaccessible and exposed places, out early in the morning or late into the evening, and often a combination of all those things. If you want to stay comfortable you need the right kind of clothing.While the Irish climate hammered home the … [Read more...] about Base Layer Review: Patagonia Men’s Capilene® 3 Midweight Crew
Vortex Viper HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Viper HD 10x42: Short Review Pros: Outstanding optical quality, superb bright image with excellent detail and very good edge sharpness. Compact and robust, great build quality, balance and handling. Bordering on an "Alpha" quality view, but only 1/3 the price of the big guns. Awesome close focus, great low light performance for a 10x. Lifetime, transferable, no fault … [Read more...] about Vortex Viper HD 10×42 Binocular Review
