brocknroller
porromaniac
I noticed that the pebbly textured armoring looks a lot like the Audubon roof's and so does the two-piece body/barrel construction.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/external/files/products/bin-sw-820ed-m.jpg
http://www.eagleoptics.com/external/files/products/bin-sw-828-m.jpg
Except that in the new porros, the barrels have the same armoring as the body (a common minor complaint about the roof version, which does not).
Note the one-piece construction on the original 820:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/218842.jpg
Also note only a slight color difference between the non-ED glass and ED models. The prior non-ED model was an ugly aquamarine, and the ED version, an elegant black.
The other thing that's absent (unless it's underneath) is the orange or red plastic bubble logo. I mean, how are my fellow birders going to know that I'm using a Swift Audubon rather than a Minolta Activa or Garrett Genesis? I lost my "cachet" w/out the "dot".
Re: Kevin's remark about $150 being a steep mark up for the ED glass, check the prices on the old model 820, same difference.
15 years ago, the difference btwn non-ED and ED porros was $100, so not much of an increase in 2011, considering the cost of living has gone up considerably during that time.
But if want to see a steep mark up for ED glass look at the Pentax SP vs. ED model at the same store.
Pentax DCF SP 8x43 Binocular $549
Pentax DCF ED 8x43 Binocular $899
I've seen other stores selling the ED version for $999.
Same specs, same design, the only difference is the ED glass.
Plus, they both have a narrowish 6.3* FOV, which is more commonly found in lower priced models than in a company's top o' the line bins. Even Pentax's 8x36 NV model has a slightly wider FOV (6.5*). And the edges are good on that model, I tried it.
Can you say "Rip Off" boys and girls?
Mister R.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/external/files/products/bin-sw-820ed-m.jpg
http://www.eagleoptics.com/external/files/products/bin-sw-828-m.jpg
Except that in the new porros, the barrels have the same armoring as the body (a common minor complaint about the roof version, which does not).
Note the one-piece construction on the original 820:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/218842.jpg
Also note only a slight color difference between the non-ED glass and ED models. The prior non-ED model was an ugly aquamarine, and the ED version, an elegant black.
The other thing that's absent (unless it's underneath) is the orange or red plastic bubble logo. I mean, how are my fellow birders going to know that I'm using a Swift Audubon rather than a Minolta Activa or Garrett Genesis? I lost my "cachet" w/out the "dot".
Re: Kevin's remark about $150 being a steep mark up for the ED glass, check the prices on the old model 820, same difference.
15 years ago, the difference btwn non-ED and ED porros was $100, so not much of an increase in 2011, considering the cost of living has gone up considerably during that time.
But if want to see a steep mark up for ED glass look at the Pentax SP vs. ED model at the same store.
Pentax DCF SP 8x43 Binocular $549
Pentax DCF ED 8x43 Binocular $899
I've seen other stores selling the ED version for $999.
Same specs, same design, the only difference is the ED glass.
Plus, they both have a narrowish 6.3* FOV, which is more commonly found in lower priced models than in a company's top o' the line bins. Even Pentax's 8x36 NV model has a slightly wider FOV (6.5*). And the edges are good on that model, I tried it.
Can you say "Rip Off" boys and girls?
Mister R.