7x is my favourite magnification. Powerful enough not to miss much from 8x, but with an additional level of depth of view and a steadier image. Also, given the fact that there is not a terrible amount of modern roofs in "light 7x" configuration, many times you end up using 7x35/42 (even lightweight 7x50) porros, with the intoxicating and addictive 3D view that binoculars with objectives spaced wide apart can offer.
Said that, I think THE binoculars that have given me the biggest wow, the most pleasurable image have been the 7x42 Zeiss Victory FL. I simply love them... but then, I'm a 32 mm person, so every time I've had them, I ended up not using them that much, so I ended up selling them (this has happened 3 times... yes. I know. And now I miss it again. Lately I had to refrain myself from buying it a fourth time). The view is crystal clear, pristine, "more real than reality it self" (this produces an addictive oneiric effect that makes you want to use them for the mere fact of using them, not to watch anything in particular). However, they are not devoid of flaws; I remember they can sometimes get a pretty annoying ring of brightness at the edge of the field of view. The shape takes some getting used to; some may love it, others may hate it. I pesonally love its understated utilitarian looks, and I'm all in for the use of plastic in order to reduce weight. An all time favourite.
Then, the 7x35 Retrovid is a bittersweet story. It could be THE contemporary 7x. Light and nimble, with a lovely 5 mm exit pupil but really featherweight weight. But some details let it down. If only it had wider eyecups... and then, the focus wheel could be a little faster. I know Leica probably knows its customers very well, and they have a well-planned sales strategy and a whole strategy regarding their range of binoculars. But then, I can't get over the fact that they designed a new device in the 21st century and took some "extraordinary" decisions, like not making it waterproof or using the eyecups the same size of an 8x25 pocket binocular. Such a missed opportunity, really.
So, where does this leave us?
At the moment I'm trying a Hawke Endurance ED Marine 7x32. It's nice, but it simply can't compare with the above (which seems obvious, given the price difference.
Finally, to be honest, my most used 7x is an old and trusty 7x50 Vixen Ultima (also sold under the Celestron Ultima brand) which is really light for a 50 mm and offers a quite impressive performance, mixing the great ease of view, great depth of field and addictive stereopsis. It has been sitting on my kitchen window for quite some time now, and I use it on a daily basis. So, there you have it.
