Binoculars
are treasured and rather personal items for old school birders like yours
truly. Although I now spend just as much time photographing birds as I do
birding, the latter remains top priority to this very day. And yes, these are
two very different passions even if nowadays most consider them to be one. You can
find me out birding with just my binoculars but it is very unlikely you can
find a bird photographer doing the same. And my faithful Leica Trinovid 10X42 BN
has been by my side in every birding adventure for more than three decades.
Recently,
I was approached to do a review for a pair of binoculars that was just
launched. Svbony is a Chinese company that specializes in optical equipment and
their SA207Pro 8X42 binoculars is the latest addition to their range of optics
available for the birding community. How will it fare in the hands of a birder
who has sworn by Leica for most of his birding life? Read on to find out.
Unboxing
the SA207Pro, you will find it comes complete with everything you need for a pair
of binoculars – soft pouch, strap, harness, lens caps and a chamois cloth.
My
first impression of the binoculars, it is well-built and not lacking of the
premium feel and appearance. Weight-wise, it is about the same as my current
one and should not pose any issue out in the field.
A
trip to the forest surrounding the Penang Botanic Gardens was to be the first opportunity
to test this mid-range binoculars. I decided to venture into one of the
forested trails because every birder knows that it possesses one of the most challenging
conditions you will face when birding.
As
expected of any forest trail in Penang Island, birding depends a lot on luck
and it took a while before the silence was shattered. The Greater Racket-tailed
Drongo is still relatively common here but there is nothing common about the
bird’s appearance which makes it hard to be overlooked. Its vocal nature makes
sure of that too.
The
SA207Pro certainly rose to the occasion during the excursion. In the gloomy
undergrowth of the forest, the 8x42 magnification performed well by allowing
enough light for good imagery and the wide field of view eases tracking of denizens
like the Indochinese Blue Flycatcher. However, concluding an observation without
a single photo of the bird to show is certainly not unheard of when it comes to
forest birding.
It
took very little getting used to and I quickly accustomed myself to the works
of the SA207Pro. Soon, I was enjoying the birding excursion without much
thought of the new optical device in my hands.
From
the forest, I gradually moved to more open areas and the landscaped gardens of the
locality. Naturally, the new binoculars continued to excel. And the beauty of a
Stork-billed Kingfisher was truly reflected by the Apochromatic (APO) system
with Single ED and Lanthanum lens elements.
Mid-morning
temperatures brought out a majestic White-bellied Sea-Eagle. As the raptor
soared effortless overhead, the Flat-field technology and the smooth focusing
ring allowed me to follow its movements with breath-taking views.
No
visit to the Penang Botanic Gardens is complete unless this state speciality is
recorded – the Crested Myna. Penang Island remains to be the major stronghold
for this introduced species that has long been accepted into the official
country checklist.
The
Little Egret is another common sight and usually frequents the river just outside
the gardens. The presence of this water bird provided a flair of elegance to
the excursion.
Overall,
the Svbony SA207Pro 8X42 is a delight to use. It is a balanced and precise
optical aid that almost rivals the high-end range of binoculars available in
the market today. If you are on the look out for a good pair of binoculars
without a premium price tag, this one is worth considering.
b.jpg)
For
a limited time, you can enjoy an exclusive discount with the coupon code RETECHOY
if you purchase the Svbony SA207Pro 8x42 here:
No comments:
Post a Comment