I guess you've got a solution on your hands, but since no one has commented, I'll just say that I'm surprised that you haven't found the sharpness and image quality of the Pentax Papilio satisfactory. I have the 6.5x in the original and the mark II versions, and I find both unmatched and uncompromising at close range. The newer version has better coatings and so has better contrast in some conditions. That said, I do frequently use other bins (esp. the Zeiss 8x32 FL, Browning 8x32, and the Zeiss 8x25 Victory Pocket) at their close focus limits. I wish the 8.5x42 EL SV got a bit closer and had variable ratio focus. I haven't played with the Leica, but I will have to give it a try sometime.
--AP[/QUOT After looking through the swarovision 8.5x42 things are never going to “pop” again . As i have said i have the papilio 6.5 and the 8x and although the near focusing is amazing optically for me they just dont cut it!I can say though that thanks to Lees advice i have gone for the leica 8x32 hd version with a 1 metre close focusing distance and love them! My opinion, i use binoculars predominantly for viewing insects! These are without doubt the best i have looked through for close up stuff! I could happily sell the swarovision 8.5x42 s for these☺️