Hi,
having read the excellent review of the Audubon 820s on Better View Desired, I was wondering whether anyone has experience of the ED version and if they are worth the £90 more than the standard version ?
thanks,
Mike
My greatest experience is with the previous 804 model Audubons, both the standard and the ED. There is no question in my mind that the ED design produced more subtle and beautiful color contrast at the center, and reduced color fringing to the edges of its wide field. The roof 828 HHS Audubon, by contrast, has a much narrower field and considerably more CA than even the standard 804.
The standard 820, which I have compared to the standard 804 with the latest multi-coatings, seems to have equal image quality, although the bridge assembly is less robust, being made from plastic. The eyecups are adjustable, which is an improvement over the 804, and it is advertised as "waterproof." I would rate it as optically superior to the 828 roof Audubon.
The critical question is the performance of the 820ED, which I have not evaluated. Unlike the 804ED it does
not use an expensive airspaced objective along with its ED lens element. (It was originally advertised as having one.) Moreover, the eyepieces of the two 820s seem to be identical, whereas, the 804EDs were said to be "redesigned." The bottom line is that so far I've not found anyone willing to testify that the ED offers the same improvements over the standard model that have been documented with the 804ED.
Without making a comparative test, therefore, my inclination would be to save the money. The 820 is recognized as a fine binocular, — particularly for its modest cost. If the lack of ED glass is going to drive you nuts, though, the investment might be worth it.
Blue skies,
Elk