Loving mine too.
Coming from the SF's and EL field pro's I was a little underwhelmed by the view at first and couldn't really see the ' delicious ' leica contrast initially either. But after using them a few days in varying conditions they started to weave their spell and they completely clicked.
A lightweight and compact 7x32 or 7x35 is the perfect all day walking and birding configuration as far as I'm concerned and they are few and far between to say the least. I've been hugely impressed by the cheap Hawke marine 7x32, the sharpness on my sample is phenomenal but they have their limits and are not that bright, especially for woodland use, whereas the leica's really light up the canopy and make everything sparkle.
The retrovid focuser is wonderfully smooth, one of the best I've known. I was also surprised by the close focus, I've not measured it but it seems much better than the stated 4m, certainly zero problem for my usage.
I love the SF 8x42 but they are very long and rather cumbersome for a day wandering the woods and fields and I sometimes find the brutally sharp, bright and flat view of the 8x32 field pro a bit clinical and fatiguing after a while, plus they are still quite big for a 32. The little Curio 7x21 had a beautiful view but I never felt my sample was as sharp as I like, plus they have a really annoying hang and I don't actually need anything that tiny.
The retrovid in effect replaces all three for my purposes. It might not have the overall optical horsepower of the SF or EL but to combine the relaxed exit pupil of the SF 8x42 in a much smaller and a bit lighter ( and far more elegant ) package than the EL 8x32, whilst being almost (just as?) sharp and bright but in a much more relaxing 7x 35 way is quite a revelation. They are really about as compact as I need too ,therefore for me replacing a curio 7x21 or a Zeiss pocket 8x25.
The only real downside is the lack of full waterproof and fog proofing. It's a bit disconcerting to not know quite what they'll withstand. I shan't be immersing them or washing them under a tap but they'll definitely be used in the rain, though I'll use the rain guard and pop them under my jacket in heavy rain.
I wonder what actually makes them ' splash waterproof ' rather than just not waterproof at all? It's all a bit vague and uncertain. With waterproof bins you just use them in the pouring rain without concern or with an Eii say you know not to. With the retrovid you are left a bit uncertain where the dividing line is.
Anyway, fantastic bins.