Pentax 8X43 ED
Hi Stereo,
I bought a pair of the 8X43 about six months ago. I bought them thinking it would be the last all-around use binoculars I would buy in my lifetime. So far, nothing has dissuaded that thought. I am THRILLED with every aspect of these bins except one minor complaint. They seem to be significantly larger than the Nikon Monarch 8X42 ATBs that I used for ~2 years before I bought the Pentax. I guess I'm saying that I like the feel and the smaller size of the Monarch's better.
Other than this minor quip, which I'm sure I'll get used to after carrying them on a few dozen hikes this season, I really can't recommend these more. I believe they are still priced around US-$600 and I feel you wont get your money's worth from what you gain by buying a model two or three times the cost. I don't know a lot of the bin-jargon people use when rating, but here is what I like about them.
They give very bright and crisp view edge to edge. I guess they sacrifice a little for the total FOV, but I don't miss it at all.
22mm of eye relief! I wear glasses and this is makes these bins one of the best.
Close focus. Somewhere around 6ft. Excellent for butterflies or whatever you can get close to.
Despite being a little bulky, they are quite light.
Why I really like Nikon, Pentax, Vortex as well as a few other companies is their lifetime warranty. Thirty years from now, if you drop them and break every lens, they will either fix or replace them for a $20 charge plus shipping fees.
I guess that sums up what I know and like about them. If you have any specific questions, please let me know. Also, if you search long enough you should be able to find a couple more reviews on the web.