Joe - my offer for a loan was to Binastro, but if you have never had a pair to examine, I can arrange for that., too. I note that even Spyglass' comments are thrown into the mix. The Bushnell Custom 6x25 was never noted for its ruggedness, and I concur, yet Spyglass states, "When they are perfectly collimated, they are, to me, the best of any glass under 30 MM." I haven't found them fragile, but when compared to the Leica 6x24, the Leica wins hands down.
Now Dr. Merlitz has joined the discussion, and his technical knowledge on optics is outstanding. But unless he has used the Bushnell Custom 6x25 on a comparative basis, I can only concur with his overall comments - they do not address the issues I was raising, viz., Leica 6x24 overall optical quaity compared to the Bushnell 6x25 and what I consider an exaggerated second hand value. But then it was Twain who stated,
"It is a difference of opinion that makes a horse race." By the way the Bushnell 6x25 allows for the full FOV for eyeglass wearers. The Trinovid's ER does not accommodate that.
John
Ahhh,....thanks for correcting my misuderstanding of the "loan".
Regarding the Leitz 6X24 Trinovid,....i too feel a lot of the recent offerings are greatly overpriced. Perhaps the pricing is just a bit premature, however,.....as i believe i'm into my exc+++ pair for just a little over $600, from back in 2009. With the 1 or 2% inflation often "claimed" by our gooberment,....my glass surely isn't figured into that mix!
Otherwise you'd see nice examples offered for $625 or so!
Lately i've seen some offered between $900 and $1500,.....but of course the higher one is almost guarenteed to sit around a VERY long time!
However, looked at from another point of view,.....what else out there can do what the 6X Trinovid can, from ANY era?
Absolutely nothing else is (or was) available if you wanted a HUGE field of view, light weight, small size, durable & quality build, and at least a 4mm EP. So here we are, the now "ancient" in coatings technology Leitz 6X24 Trinovid, the ONLY choice ever available that could do all that.
The only down side is a little less contrast, glare control, and ultimate achievable sharpness over what's currently available. But there's no free lunch,......you'll give up much of what made the old 6X24 Trinovid so special.
That's a tradeoff i won't make for my most used, everyday carry binocular. I focus on a group of ducks at a local pond,....or wildlife in the woods,....and the image is
plenty sharp and contrasty to bring a smile to my face.
It only takes ONE buyer of anything at any offered price. With some folks the money doesn't really matter. Do you think Bill Gates (or someone close in net worth) would be put off picking up the mint $1,500 example if he had a mind to, and desired the features that model offers? I don't........
Regarding the lack of full FOV for eyeglass wearing,......that's never been a consideration for me (and i suspect a lot of folks). Although i wear prescription eyeglasses, i prefer the sharper view of a "B" type bino with the eyecups in the UP position.
I'm annoyed wearing eyeglasses and using a good bino over any length of time. For a quick search,....not a problem. But for anything beyond that i simply am not thrilled with the "feel" of eyeglasses between me and the binoculars. The feeling to me is like having to wear a "raincoat" when getting frisky with the misses!
As time goes on, most lenses in eyeglasses tend to develope hairlines that can't easily be taken out, and smears that can but need regular attention to do so. Also, over extended viewing time there can be wear imparted to your eyeglasses.
You'll also never get the same "locked in" feel using eyeglasses, as you do with well fitting eyecups pressed gently agasinst your eye sockets,....so steadiness of image is usually compromised while wearing eyeglasses. (at least in my experience)
So lack of a "B" longer eye relief design in the old 6X24 Trinovid was never a concern for me, and is not a factor in any binocular i look at seriously for possible purchase.
....and for what it's worth,......the HUGE 212m/1000m FOV would never be possible with any extension of eye relieve. It's just one of the trade offs decided upon when this glass was designed, and which in my opinion was the correct choice.
I wouldn't opt to reduce the FOV down to 170m/1000m just to gain Eye Relief, but that's what would probably result with an extension of ER to allow eyeglass wearing ability.
For what it's worth, i don't believe i'll ever see a more modern incarnation of this design, built from the bottom up.
But i WOULD pay $500 to $700, were it an option, to have Leico provide the parts and labor to take my already exhisting 6X24 Trinovid into the modern performance age of sharpness and brightness.
.......don't change another thing though, else the deal's not worth doing!