Arthur,
I do not even know what to say to that post except it sounds like you are in good physical shape and somebody owes you a great deal of money.
I was talking to Doug today and he said the place is really loaded up with inventory right now (in both a good and a bad way). You are the only person that has been there that I know of. I take it, even after the remodeling, that it is fairly small but well stocked?
FWIW, optically the FL offers a superior image and better specs on paper. I don't really think the ELX and the FL compare in that sense. The image qualities are very, very similar though. The centerfield has that extremely clean sharp quality in both models. The level of edge distortion is about the same and color representation is fairly neutral in both.
Having said all that it really is a surprise that they are selling at the $500 price point. It is going to be the binocular I recommend first under $1000. It isn't an FL but in my opinion it has some superior optical qualities in comparison to some of the other $1000 plus roof prism glasses out there.
Are you trying to tempt me
How is the distortion in the ELX EDs?
How is panning?
Hee-hee, no, I was not trying to tempt you though I do find myself really enjoying the DX and the ELX not only for their optical qualities but also because of their performance for their respective prices. If you are eventually looking to move up the optical performance ladder then I think the ELX would be a logical next stop. It may be your last stop if you have a chance to compare to some of the high end glass.
To answer your other question, the distortion level is somewhat unique. There is no field curvature. The image is flat (field flattener maybe?) but there is that same astigmatism in the outer 1/3rd of the image that the FL displays. The center 1/3rd is exceptionally sharp with an every so slight degradation of the image in the middle 1/3rd. Without really eyeing it repeatedly and in certain situations I would be willing to bet that most folks would say that the center 2/3rds is sharp and that only after getting to the outer 1/3rd do you notice a difference.
I don't get any "effect" at all when panning. I have heard mention that folks get the "rolling ball" effect with field flattened binoculars. I just don't see it.
I would really like the chance to do a head to head with the ELX and a Razor and a Meostar, but untill I do, I defer to Frank D's judgement. He's had his mitts on more different glass than I. If he comes out in the open and tells us he's selling EL and FL and buying ELX, that says something.
I haven't had a Razor in my hands in some time but I would like to compare it to the ELX. The Meostar is a bit of a different animal. I know it isn't as sharp anywhere in the field of view as the ELX but the image is probably brighter and it does have a larger "sweet spot". The Meopta's image sort of "assaults your eyes" in a good way ofcourse. The large true and apparent field of view coupled with the flat field, brightness and slightly warm color representation make it a superb optical instrument.
I am in the process of selling both ELs and the SLC. The larger EL and the SLC are up on Ebay now. The smaller EL is being sold to a nice gentleman from this forum.
...I also have a Cabelas Alpha Extreme 8x42 (probably my hunting bin for this archery season) along with a Audubon 8x40 porro coming in the mail shortly.
Oh, and I almost forgot, Doug posted a refurb 8x32 Nikon SE this morning. At $350 I could not resist.
I have a problem. I know it. I just can't stop.