Hi. Hoping to restrict this thread to actual reviews of the new BDII XDs in any configuration. Thanks in advance for only posting reviews or questions to reviewers.
Having given by opinion of the Kowa BDII XD 6.5x32 I recently received on the earlier thread ... here is my history(that I can remember)with all my purchases of the 6x power to 7 power compact to medium size binoculars I have owned over the years comparing them to the latest offering of the 6.5x32 New Kowa. Remembering all these purchases is a little embarrassing, not to mention all the money I lost re-selling these. A problem I had and still working on but I will leave that to another time.
In order of purchase :
6.5x32 Minox BD IF ... better build not as sharp as the Kowa
7x26 Bushnell Custom .... smaller almost as sharp
7x36 Swift HWCF Eaglet .... a tad larger not as sharp
6x32 Leupold Katmai .... a tad smaller not as sharp
6.5x32 Vortex Furry .... similar in size Optically not even close
6x32 Vortex Viper HD .... a tad larger Optically close but no cigar
6.5x32 Meopta MeoPro .... similar in size Optically not even close
7x36 Opticron BGA Classic .... larger not as sharp
6x32 Opticron Traveller .... much smaller not as sharp
6.5x32 Vixen IP WP ED .... similar in size Optically very similar
The only one in my opinion(with my eyes)that was in the same ball park optically was the Vixen with the Vortex Viper coming very close to being as sharp/clear and having a very bright view. Note: I listed the larger objectives of the Opticron Classic and the Swift Eaglet because of their compact size when compared to the others. One other thing I would like to mention about the Bushnell Custom, if the Bushnell Custom could have had the Kowa build qualities with the added benefit of their special glass .... wow that would be the one we would be talking about now. All this being said , the New Kowa 6.5x32 in my opinion is now the top dog in the 6 to 7x power to date binoculars having that $500 price range.