Here is a list of reasons why i would buy the new Leupold God Ring binoculars
1. They are probably excellent. A few days ago I tried a pair of $269 Leupold binoculars at a local Walmart, and they were definitely very good, I mean, they had the “wow” factor. I am sure that a pair of “gold rings” will do 99% of what Leica and Swaro do (and at a lower price – I could spend the difference to go birding) In fact, the difference between the “Leupy” and the “fat Germans” may be small enough that I could not see it with my eyes.
2. Unusually wide angle of view. I think that I would like to look through them, and I think that the wide image will “fill my brain” – I hate looking through binoculars and feeling as if I were looking through a long pipe. Now, wide angle in a roof prism bino means that the edges will not be as sharp as the center, but it sure as heck beats loosing that fast flying dickey bird from view, doesn’t it?
3. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE IN THE GOOD OLE USA!!! We don’t want Chinese binoculars, now, do we?
4. Leupold has customer support equal or better to Swaro and Leica, and here in US far better than Zeiss. A lifetime no fault warranty with Leupold means that I buy the binoculars and 50 years latter my grandaughter can have them fixed if need be.
Here is a list of reasons why I would not buy the new Gold Ring from Leupold:
1. I have been whishing for top binoculars for 20 years now. I finally am graduating and have interviews, and feel like I could finally get them this fall. And they have to be the very top notch. Because of warranties and customer support here in US, that means Leica or Swaro. I am willing to spend the extra $600 to get the extra 1% binoculars, if nothing else, out of vanity. I do remember a mountain in Turkey that I was too tired to climb to the very top, and therefore I did not see some bird. I still feel like a sissy. Getting anything other than the “Top Three” would feel just like that. B
2. Can someone tell Leupold and Bushnell to get rid of their black and silver and gold design? Those are tough binos, not some freakin’ “iPod digital back scratcher”! :C