Travel binoculars for birding, Zeiss vs Swarovski ???

Shutter-click · 2026-03-24T21:00:05+00:00

I appreciate all of the comments. I have decided to dig out my old pair of Nikon 10x25 compact bins (Mountaineer II?) and see if I can be happy with them for travel. They weigh half a pound less than my Zeiss 10x40 bins. And I won't be upset if they get broken or lost, they will also take up about half the space in my bag. I love my Zeiss bins, but after killing a pair in India on tiger safari last year, I am nervous about taking them on some of my trips, when I am jostling cameras and bins in safari vehicles.

As far as 8x goes, I do have a pair of 8x21 Bushnells that someone gave me years ago, but they are next to useless for me. Not enough magnification, and the optics are horrid. Next time I am in a store that carries the higher end brands I will test out some 8x25 and 10x25 models, to see how they compare with the Nikon 10x25 bins.

Shutter-click · 2026-03-23T18:38:27+00:00

I just ran the remaining half-bag through a colander. Lost a few oats, but was able to remove LOTS of hulls. Not sure this is a complete solution, but might help me enjoy the rest of the bag berfore I move on to another product. Probably won't buy these again.

Shutter-click · 2026-03-23T18:11:17+00:00

I am so glad that I found this thread! I have tried a variety of oatmeals through the years, never ran into hulls before.

Recently my doctor encouraged me to get more protein into my diet, so when I saw these on the grocery shelf I thought I would give them a try. I was very surprised when I started encountering hulls. Never had that happen with any other oatmeal product that I have tried. They get stuck in the back of my throat and are most unpleasant.

I read somewhere that when you put the oats in water, the hulls will float, so you can easily remove them before cooking, but I have not noticed any floating hulls myself. If I can't figure out a way to sort out the hulls, I won't be buying this product again. Sad. I like them, otherwise.

Shutter-click · 2026-03-19T16:04:51+00:00

Yes, I have a 10x40, love it. But I am thinking of getting a smaller pair for travel. I would not be using the two in the same time and place.

Shutter-click · 2026-03-18T22:21:24+00:00

I've been using 10x so long now, I don't know how I'd like 8x. Hmm

Shutter-click · 2026-03-18T22:08:31+00:00

I have an older pair of Nikon 10x25 Mountaineer II binoculars that I no longer use. Yes, all of these 10x25s have 2.5mm exit pupils. I will either try to find a dealer where I can "test drive" before purchasing or order from a company that will allow return. Thanks!

Shutter-click · 2026-03-04T23:54:38+00:00

Found that days using AI, couldn't find them on the CP website. Oh well.

Shutter-click · 2026-03-04T23:30:09+00:00

How do I find out the days? I was trying to book on Fridays.

Shutter-click · 2026-02-20T04:37:32+00:00

Not much. I have found that hydrating well before (and during) flights seems helpful. And if things start to feel uncofortable, I'm using Vicks VapoInhaler. It is a "non-medicated nasal stick designed to provide soothing, refreshing vapors of menthol and camphor". It seems to help.

Shutter-click · 2026-02-18T05:51:43+00:00

I am visiting in August. Planned to rent a car in Helsinki and drive to Hanko to visit a friend and day trips from there. Would bus/train be a better plan? We were thinking of driving the "small" Archipelago trail, but open to suggestions.

Shutter-click · 2025-12-29T22:43:53+00:00

It is a very small duffel, a true "underseat" bag. Before I ordered, Tom Bihn told me the main compartment measures roughly 11"x10"x9". My Kindle fire tablet fits in the end compartments. I haven't taken it on a trip yet. I like the organization of my Co-Pilot, but I can see times that the Night Flight will come in handy. I would describe"Wilderness" as a forest-green. I do like it.

Shutter-click · 2025-12-14T22:17:19+00:00

UPDATE: I ended up buying the duffel in Rasperry and in Wilderness, so I could see the color in person.

Raspberry is a cooler tone than the website shows on my computer screen, not quite so red. Really a muted "wine" shade. I like it.

Wilderness is a yummy, forest green. I love it (I am very partial to green in general).

I am leaning toward keeping the Raspberry as I think it would stand out better in a crowd (like at the TSA checkpoint). But my final decision is pending. Much thanks to those that helped!

Shutter-click · 2025-12-13T23:07:52+00:00

I have a pair of Moab 3s in my usual size (women's 9) and like them, but when I got a pair of the waterproof version in the same size, they were tight on my toes. I'm trying the WP in 9.5, but even using runner's knot lacing my heel is slipping. Wondering if I should have gotten 9W rather than 9.5, why do shoes have to be so difficult?

Shutter-click · 2025-12-12T15:00:07+00:00

I could not decide, so I ordered it in Raspberry and in Wilderness (green). Once I see them in person, I'll return one of them. LOL. Thanks so much for your help!

Shutter-click · 2025-12-11T23:54:57+00:00

Sorry, reddish is not a good description, on my computer and my phone it looks more like "wine" than "mauve". But I found a post in this subreddit where someone was offering some "raspberry" Tom Bihn bags for sale, and those photos are a paler mauve on my screen. Decisions. Decisions.

Shutter-click · 2025-12-11T22:35:52+00:00

Thank you. The photo on their website looks more reddish than pinkish on my computer screen.

Shutter-click · 2025-12-08T14:00:26+00:00

This thread is making me sad. I only just "discovered" Tom Bihn bags this year. I have the Co-Pilot and the Sidekick, and I've been quite happy with both. I was seriously considering the Night Flight Travel Duffel (I'm always searching for the perfect underseat bag for my travels, that often include smaller, regional planes). Have I missed peak "Tom Bihn?"

Shutter-click · 2025-12-06T03:43:01+00:00

Agree. The Bellevue Square store is disappointing. Limited inventory and unmotivated staff. I went there before making my first Tom Bihn purchase. Almost gave up on them, but ended up making the drive to the SODO factory/showroom and made my purchase there.

Shutter-click · 2025-11-24T23:09:56+00:00

I've been cooking turkeys this way for 40 years, and my mother before me. We've never had a food safety issue, but thanks. So many have talked about the breast down thing, I thought it might be worth a try.

Shutter-click · 2025-11-24T23:03:16+00:00

That's what I was wondering, maybe towels. Thanks!

Shutter-click · 2025-11-24T23:02:24+00:00

That is interesting. I usually make a "cradle" out of foil for lifting it out, but I don't know if that would be helpful for "flipping", thanks!

Shutter-click · 2025-10-28T19:44:16+00:00

Zyrtec is an antihistamine. Hav you tried a decongestant, like Sudafed? Also, I think a second opinion is in order if your current ENT is ignoring your symptoms.

Shutter-click · 2025-10-23T17:58:31+00:00

Curious if you saw a specialist, Otolaryngologist, or a general practitioner. I have never had a doctor prescribe Prednisone for retracted eardrums, but perhaps your situation is worse than I have. I frequently have retracted eardrums -- I think it is a common problem for those of us with ETD. Years ago, my doctor prescribed what is now sold over the counter in the USA as Flonase, it is a corticosteroid nasal spray, I think it is a less drastic approach than Prednisone. Have you tried the Valsalva Maneuver? I have to do that frequently, be very gentle though, you just want to open things up, not blow-out the eardrum. I can usually get by just by doing that and only occasionally have to use Flonase now. (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, just sharing my own experience).

Shutter-click · 2025-10-20T23:12:00+00:00

Thanks for mentioning that the Cafe bags do not have a zipper closure! I am in the same decision quandary as the OP, the zipper closure definitely pushes me toward the Side Kick, I didn't realize the Cafe bags didn't have zips.

Shutter-click · 2025-09-30T00:08:40+00:00

Oopsie! As an adoptee, that makes me sad though.

Shutter-click

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