Just a little question. I also have the Conquest HD and the Nikon SE both 8x32. There is one thing that (somewhat) spoils the SE for me and that is a difference in magnification. Maybe magnification is not the best word but i dont know a better one. There are some situations where the birds appear a good amount bigger through the Conquest HD compared to the SE. It is really significant at closer objects. In the distance it is still possible to recognize more -or better- the important details to recognize the bird with the HD whil i cant recognize it with the SE. I am pretty sure that this is not only a question of resolution.
I was told that it is only a optical illusion. Now i am not an optic expert and i really cant and wont refuse this explanation. But on the other hand, both binos have a really good resolution and i cant imagine that this will explain it at all.
Have you seen something like this b-lilja?
It hadn't occurred to me, but now that you mention it, it rings true. I will compare them and report back.