I wanted to try a 7x42 alpha. Picked up pair of like new Nikon EDG 2 7x42's on Ebay for $900.00. I threw in a bid and ended up getting them. I have never had an alpha 7x42 and they are pretty impressive. I have been comparing them to my SV FP 8.5x42's. The focuser on the EDG has to be one of the best out there. It is really smooth. The EDG focuser beats the SV easily. The diopter is similar in operation to the SV and works very well. Build quality is very good and the armor has a very nice luxurious quality feel to it. Eye cups work smoothly and positively with four indents and they have nice tethered objective covers and the rainguard fit's good without being too tight. The strap is adjustable with a slide buckle and works very well and the case is well made and not too large and fit's the binoculars well. They are actually smaller than the SV's and feel good in the hand because you don't feel the strap lugs because they are extended out of the way of your grip. Good idea! They are a tad better controlling CA and glare than the SV. They must be baffled very well and they are well blackened inside. The easy steady view of the 7x42 is very nice and the greater DOF is appreciated. The view seems very spacious because of the lower 7x magnification. Also, the EDG's are brutally sharp on-axis but a tad softer at the edges than the SV but sharper than say the Zeiss SF at the edge. No RB that I notice but I am not sensitive to it. The colors are more saturated than the SV and are warmer and they have a very comfortable natural view. They are definitely an alpha level binocular and will compete with the best and if you can get them for a good price they are a bargain. I am not saying they are better than the SV's or vice versa just different. All the alpha binocular's are awesome and none are perfect but each has it's strong points and it just depends on what you like or prefer.
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