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review

Minox BL 8×44 HD Binocular Review

Pros: a good looking pair of binoculars with excellent build quality and superb optical performance. Very bright, crystal-clear view with plenty of fine detail, wide field of view with large central sweet spot and minimal edge softening. Good colour and contrast. Very good low-light performance. Cons: accessories could be a bit better. Strap and case perhaps….

Vanguard Endeavor HD 82A Spotting Scope Review

Vanguard Endeavor HD Spotting Scope front view

Pros: Sleek, modern-looking scope that feels solid and well made. Quite compact for an 82mm scope. Very bright, sharp image at 20x magnification that is very good up to about 40x, showing plenty of detail with good colour and contrast. Wide central sweet spot with marginal softening out towards the edge. Dual focus controls….

Book Review: The Wildflowers of Ireland — A Field Guide

Bee Orchid

Plants are the cornerstone of our biodiversity — the foundation on which all of our wildlife depends. They form the vital link between the sun’s energy and almost all life on earth. Yet so often we don’t give them the attention they deserve. Birds, mammals and our larger, more dynamic invertebrates tend to hog….

Swarovski EL 8×32 Swarovision Binocular Review

Swarovski EL 32 in the hand

Pros: uncompromising image quality. Bright, razor sharp, high contrast view right to the edge of the field. Outstanding low-light performance, which is particularly impressive given its 32mm objective lenses. Excellent build quality and ergonomics; lightweight yet solid and robust. Superb all-round performance. Possibly the best “accessories” (case, strap, rainguard, objective covers, lens cloth) on the market. Cons:….

Gear Review: LED Lenser P5R.2 Rechargable LED Flashlight

P5R.2 Charging

Pros: Great looking, exceptionally bright little rechargeable torch with excellent build quality. Small, sleek, lightweight and robust — ideal for slipping in a pocket or pack. Outstanding flood-to-spot functionality with LED Lenser’s patented fast-focus system. Extremely versatile little light. Convenient magnetic charging system powered through USB. Cons: Proprietary LiIon battery limits replacement options…..

Book Review: Tracks and Signs of the Animals and Birds of Britain and Europe

Animal Tracks & Signs

There are no two ways about it, a lot of our wildlife is incredibly tricky to see. You can get lucky, of course. Occasionally birds, and even mammals, lizards or amphibians, will appear out of nowhere, seemingly oblivious to your presence as you marvel them in close proximity. These are,….

Minox BV 8×25 BRW Binocular Review

Minox BV 8x25 and case

Pros: very compact design that feels solid and well made. Lightweight and easy to carry and transport. Quite bright for a compact, with good all-round image quality. Large focus wheel for a compact and good quality twist up eye cups make these very comfortable in use. They feel like a….

Fenix PD35 compact LED torch / flashlight review

Pros: Outstanding 850 lumen performance from a 14cm (c. 5″) torch that fits in the palm of your hand. Great build quality. Insanely bright, clean beam with floody central spot and a large “spill” that illuminates the peripheral area. Excellent throw distance for a 20mm reflector. Great versatility with five brightness….

Kite Lynx HD 8×30 binocular review

Pros: Super compact and convenient, with great build quality. Exceptionally wide field of view and large central “sweet spot” give that elusive sense of immersion that marks a great binocular. Very bright, pin sharp image with excellent colour fidelity and contrast, surprisingly good low light performance considering the small objective lenses. Superb close….

Minox BD 7×28 Binocular Review

Minox BD 7x28 compact binocular

Pros: Superb optics in a very compact, striking and ergonomic body that’s a joy to hold and use… Minox demonstrates its optical pedigree with a bright, sharp, wide image that has great contrast and excellent colour. Cons: Individually focussing dioptres are far from ideal for wildlife. In fairness this is obvious before….

Gear Review: Universal Digiscoping Adapters from Novagrade

Pros: compact and light — easily throw in a pocket or camera bag. Universal… adapts easily to fit most scope eyepieces and unique interchangable “gripper” system works with any smartphone. Very easy to fit and use… simple, twist to secure, twist to release mechanism. Cons: the smartphone adapter can be a bit….

Gear Review: Aigle Parcours 2 “Outlast” boots

Aigle Outlast Boots

Pros: possibly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my feet. Dry, warm, soft lining, supple rubber uppers and very supportive sole… more like hiking boots than wellingtons allowing comfortable day-long walking. Superb grip. Outstanding construction… if you can call it that… more like craftsmanship. NASA inspired “Outlast” lining keeps….