Hello IS,
It's great to hear about your past experience with the M5. You mention you are about an hour away from B&H. If I recall correctly, the Cape May Fall Festival is scheduled for sometime mid-October. As far as I know, they always run a 10%-15%off sale during the festival days. That's about the same price as what stores like B&H would offer if I am not mistaken.
During the festival, you not only get to interact with several different optics vendors and their representatives, but you get to try out various copies of binoculars of the same model! And they let you try it out outside with no issues. I was there last year, and it was truly extraordinary -- not just the optics part, but spending sometime on the Hawkwatch platform with commentaries from a world class birder was a great experience!
So that's what I would recommend if your travel time allows - figure out a model that you like the most, make a trip to Cape May, pick the best to your eyes among the copies, spend some time with the best birders, rejoice! At the end of the day, you would also be supporting Audubon's conservation and research efforts with your purchase.
All the best,
Kumar
It's great to hear about your past experience with the M5. You mention you are about an hour away from B&H. If I recall correctly, the Cape May Fall Festival is scheduled for sometime mid-October. As far as I know, they always run a 10%-15%off sale during the festival days. That's about the same price as what stores like B&H would offer if I am not mistaken.
During the festival, you not only get to interact with several different optics vendors and their representatives, but you get to try out various copies of binoculars of the same model! And they let you try it out outside with no issues. I was there last year, and it was truly extraordinary -- not just the optics part, but spending sometime on the Hawkwatch platform with commentaries from a world class birder was a great experience!
So that's what I would recommend if your travel time allows - figure out a model that you like the most, make a trip to Cape May, pick the best to your eyes among the copies, spend some time with the best birders, rejoice! At the end of the day, you would also be supporting Audubon's conservation and research efforts with your purchase.
All the best,
Kumar
These are wise and measured words, Kumar. And provide a useful critique of what I've been thinking as of late. Along with another user who messaged me privately who pointed out that testing different bins over time, in different conditions probably demands too much from our cognitive/powers of memory.. and so may be quite unrealistic.
Alas, a local optics store I don't have, and hence the post. B&H is about an hour away, and I'll probably use that as my go to place. I don't have plans to order anything blind.. to me, that doesn't make much sense, and isn't as interesting. My Monarch 5 8x42s have served me exceptionally well for the past 14 months.
Subjectively, I want to have an optimal optical experience, that will maximize my abilities to ID birds, and to deepen my appreciation for their behavior and uniqueness. Another way of saying it is: I don't want to have any limitations on what I'm seeing placed on me from the bins...
I don't think I have any 'special needs' outside me being a glasses wearer, which puts eye relief on the table.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.. you have no doubt put your finger on the safest and most sober (and certainly gradualist) route.
Much appreciated!