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Once reserved exclusively for the military, thermal optics have soon found their way into the hands of birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. While traditional binoculars and spotting scopes have long been the tools of choice for birders and nature enthusiasts, the advent of thermal monoculars and binoculars has opened up new possibilities for exploring the natural world and our local ecosystems. So, how do they work?Read now
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Birding with a Novice Part 3: The Adventures of Bino Man and Roger
Read nowIt's always nice to receive a call at our showroom. It's especially nice when it's someone that's one of my oldest friends. Rodger Jackman is a naturalist, photographer and an award winning wildlife cameraman that's travelled all over the world making...
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HikMicro Habrok 4k Binoculars at £1199.95: Is This the Best Product to Enter the Birdwatching and Nature Market in 10 Years?
Read nowHas the birdwatching and nature observation market changed forever? That’s the question we are now asking ourselves at South West Optics. The May 2024 release of the HikMicro Habrok 4k HE25L thermal and digital binocular is at a crazy aggressive retail price of £1199.95 which has never been seen by any thermal binocular. Come with us as we take a closer look at the HikMicro Habrok 4k, answering queries like: what are its key features? How much does a Habrok 4k cost? What are the technical specifications? And what is the impact on birdwatching and nature observation? -
HIKMICRO M15 4G Trail Camera: Capturing Nature's Secrets
Read nowStep into the world of wildlife surveillance like never before with the HIKMICRO M15 4G Trail Camera. Designed to offer unparalleled performance at an exceptional price, this trail camera brings cutting-edge technology to your fingertips. Join us as we explore...
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Birding with a Novice Part 2: Not Quite Ready to Fall Off the Perch
Read nowLast week at work, we were chatting over where I am with my desire to go birding and what my next step should be. Having had a couple of weeks entertaining a new strain of covid, I had time to consider lashing out my hard earned cash on a pair of binoculars of my own. We were discussing the options within my price range when my boss (40 years younger than me) suggested that I get a move on as starting a new hobby at my age (70) doesn’t leave me much time. Now, I'm sure it was said in jest but it got me thinking...
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The Frank Perspective: A review of Leica Binoculars
One of my passions is photography- landscape and portrait, mostly. I'm a great fan of Leica cameras, they are beautifully engineered and their lenses are crystal clear and sharp. The same can be said for their binoculars. On a nice cold but sunny day in the new year, I was able to roam freely in the Devonshire countryside with a couple of different Leica models to see what I thought.Read now -
Exploring Nature's Beauty: RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Step into the captivating realm of birdwatching, where each wingbeat and song forms a tapestry of nature's marvels. In this blog post, we'll delve into the excitement of participating in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch—an annual event connecting individuals with the diverse birdlife in their own backyards.Read now -
Leica Passport Scheme Is Back!
Read nowWe are pleased to announce the re-launch of the Leica Passport Scheme. Under this scheme, purchases of all Leica Sport Optics products (excluding Leica Calonox) will be eligible for complimentary accidental coverage for 2 years. This is alongside the 10 year warranty offered...
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Birding with a Novice: Join Me as I Stumble My Way into Birding for the First Time
I’ve always had an interest in nature and wildlife in general. I was born in Paignton, Devon, but spent my early years living in the Essex countryside. Where we lived, there were no real made up roads and very few neighbours so consequently I spent a lot of my childhood roaming the fields alone looking for things to do (or mischief as my grandparents called it).Read now