OK, now that I have had some additional time, I’m going to edit this review slightly. I said at the outset that this was not intended to be a shootout, winner take all review. I said then that the optics of each of these were too close to call an effective field worthy difference. I still think that way, but because that is how I view these binoculars, that does not mean I can’t rank them. I was also asked which one would I pick for my own, I’ll answer that one too.
Maven B1: This is at the top for two reasons, one is I happen to like the ability to customize my binocular. Others could care less, but even here there are three different stock color choices. This has nothing to do with its optics or birding qualities, but here it is. Second it is here because of its wider than stated fov. Most readers think they need that, and this is one of this group that provides it. It has outstanding, crisp, bright images with good contrast, and color saturation. For me it is about right in ergonomics, it simply feels right in hand an at the eye.
GPO Passion HD: This is the hardest one of the bunch to rank. If this had a wider fov, then it would probably rank ahead of the Maven B1. Now I think this happens to be a nit picker of a reason, because I can find no particular objection, as I stated in the review, in viewing ability with the 375’ fov. That is a deal breaker for some. I have no problem with that. I have come to the preference over the years of an 8* 8x binocular and since this is my preference, I will place this glass second. The eye cups and focuser are as good you will find in any binocular at any price. Some will pick the B1 as the most solid, but I think many will prefer the GPO in this regard. Like the Maven, it simply feels right in the hand at at the eye, my hands and eyes anyway. Other than the fov, the only practical difference is in ergonomics, which is largely a function of the considerable difference in the tactile feel of the B1 and the HD and in the difference in feel of the eye cup assemblies. Some are going to prefer the Maven focus and some the GPO.
Stryka S9: This is nearly as hard to rank as the GPO, and it is kind of hard to put this glass in third place, as it is really an impressive binocular. It is the only one of the bunch with S15 prism glass. Whether a function of the prism glass or not, this glass has a brightness advantage in dark, gray, dreary day viewing. Not so much in twilight compared to the others, but in the dark and dreary it shines. The eye cups assemblies are a little to weak in their detent positions, but the eye cup is quite comfortable up to my eye. It is a little too fat for my tastes and it would be better served with a bit more length between the hinges. It is not the most comfortable for me to hold, hence the third place rate.
Tract Toric: The primary reason for the ranking here is that the Toric has somewhat less depth of focus than those above it. Get in close and I find more focus wheel use than with the three above it. If you are not looking for this, which is something I have come to look for in a review, then it may well pass unnoticed. Another reason for the placement here is that the eye cups tend to be a bit loose at the top of their extension, the will wiggle a bit. The final reason is that the diopter ring is too easy to move and I had to set it several times during the course of my time with it. Tract states that this is the best binocular you can buy for less than $700, and as I said in the review, I’m not inclined to cast doubt in that direction. It is pretty amazing what they apparently got under the hood in this binocular for the price charged.
While I view the overall presentation of the eye cup assembly as a bit of a downer, I should note that the may well be the most comfortable for many people. A friend of mine stopped in the other day asking about binoculars. He had an old insta-focus Bushnell Discoverer 7x35. He honed in pretty quickly on the Tract because it fit his eyes. He has a fairly large nose and somewhat deep set eyes, though neither feature is extreme.
Stryka S7: OK, for irony, this is probably the binocular I’d take for my own. I rank it here because it is not as good at CA control as the others. Like all of them, glare is well done, and I came to the point where I don’t notice the CA nearly like I did at first. So why would I pick it? Well is is one of the most compact 42 mm binoculars I know of, the others being the GPO Passion ED and the Maven C1. I have 8x32’s longer than this one. The image is bright and sharp, and it is a very wide field, as measured, not stated. The size aspect is its personal draw. Eye placement is better for me than most 8x32 mm binoculars and it is just sometimes nice to have a smaller bit of gear to deal with.
There always seems to be some degree of angst stirred up when these $700-1,000 binoculars come up. There is nothing really new here. What, in my view has happened is technology transfer and the simple fact that we have reached the point in traditional porro and roof prism binoculars where there is not a lot of room left for really significant improvement. Improvement certainly is not dead and there is always room for improvement somewhere. It is not nearly as difficult to hone the technology to produce glass and apply coatings and generally produce binoculars as it was even ten years ago. The upper tier of binoculars will likely always be better built and companies will vary in their longevity and in their customer service, distribution, and promotion capabilities. This class of binocular has come to define a standard for very good quality for half of the price of the alpha binoculars. They are not as good, I have never said that, and really don’t think that either.
Whether or not you buy a binocular form this price range, or whether you do what you have to do to save up the $$ for a top tier glass is I think dependent on two things. First is the level of disposable income and how far it has to go. The second is how a particular individual prefers to view their stuff as the best they can get or whether or not they can be happy with spending less. Personally if I wanted to, I could have bought a top tier binocular some time ago. From my standpoint the top tier is almost as good as their hype says they are, which is to say almost good enough to convince me to hand over the credit card.. The next tier down is as good as the hype says they are. The differences are pretty small, or pretty large depending on your viewpoint. Buy what suits you. Use what you buy and enjoy the binocular you have. You will not miss out on seeing what is out there to be seen with any one of these binoculars along for the trip.