This may be the end to the long thread. Luckily, I remained undecided whether to buy the Nikon MHG 8x42 or the Conquest HD 8x32, deep down knowing that all I asked for was a better Meostar 8x32. Prominent member HenRun offered his B1.1 and the rest is history.
I'm very happy with it. Colour reproduction is right in line with the E II and the EDG, which is perfectly to my taste.
With the E II as my top choice for fair-weather birding with contact lenses, the Meostar as its equal but with spectacles and/or rain, and finally the Kite Lynx HD 8x30 for contacts and rain, the three make up a perfect team. I doubt a single model would do it all as fine as these three, but if I'd have to sacrifice two, the Meostar would be the keeper. That said, the Kite is really impressive and I have decided to keep them all.
At times, I have doubts about keeping the EDG 7x42 because it sees too little use. Swapping it for cash or a MHG 8x42 sometimes tempts me, but then I just take a look through it and immediately know that the sheer thought of selling it is blasphemy.
Is this also not only the latest, but also the last binocular I'll buy? In fact, this is highly possible.
There are no more needs or niches to fill, only curiosity and boredom might cause a relapse. I'd love a black Nikon 7x15 CF, but can't see where and when I'd even use it. I'd probably be able to make room for a MHG 8x42 but it would just cannibalize where the field is already crowded. Now and then I'm told to buy a Swaro ATC, but I feel my ED50A with 27x Wide (and 40x Wide if desired) is too close in performance, and the ED82A beats the ATC for murky autumn afternoons. A double telescope like the 45 degree APM binoculars could be great fun when looking from my balcony...but only if it was given to me and I doubt it would happen. So, unlike some other posters, I'm not asking what to get next because this might simply. Be. The. End.
//L