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Message: <blockquote data-quote="spyglass" data-source="post: 1814407" data-attributes="member: 18470">Favorites? Wow.....that's tough for a certified optics aficionado (i.e. bino/scope junkie) to answer without going into a diatribe. (I maybe should clarify that the 18 7x I mentioned are totals of various sizes I've had over the last 30 or so yrs. Some were definite keepers, others so-so and some downright toads).First, the best view I've ever seen thru a bino regardless, I believe (it's hard to say because I didn't have all the contenders for that award on hand at once for A-B-C etc comparos...) was thru a Nikon ProStar at Astronomics one day on one of my visits-to-see-what's-new. Now this was 10 or 11 yrs ago, but the first look thru that big mother was jaw-dropping.....the brightness, sharpness, clarity, etc, was amazing, and this in spite of the relatively narrow 7.1* fov (and I'm a wide-field fanatic). There was also a 7x50 FMT-SX on the shelf next to the Nikon, which I was also able to take outside for a few minutes...it was close, but no cigar. Neither could in any way be construed as a good all-purpose glass (both IF and around 50oz), but wow, the view....Of the binos I've actually owned, I'd hafta say probably the 7x42FL offers the best view, followed very closely by the 8x32SE, 8.5x44 820 Audubon, 10x56FL, 10x42SE and 12x50SE (in ascending power order). And 2 that I used to own, a 7x35E and a 7x42 Discoverer (late model with PC3) were also serious contenders along with a Celestron 10x50 Nova. This is not to take anything away from the various Leitz & Sworos, as many of their models are also top drawer (and I've not yet seen the new SV, which could topple the FL if the reviews are to be believed....so I'm not gonna look thru one, because I've sworn off buying any more stuff).For $ spent for value (performance) received, the 7x35E ($249 new in 2000), the 820 ($259 new in 2002) and the Discoverer ($250 new in 2003) would lead the pack. In fact, had the Nikon E had: 1)a wider fov-at least 8* 2)twist-up eyecups and 3) rubber obj rings, I'd still have it. The new Chinee RenZays seem to have gathered quite a following these days (haven't seen any of them either), so they might be in the value-received-for-$-spent running, as well, but for what I've actually had experience with, those 3 stand above the rest.So, there ya have it....and I wuz tryin' to be brief.....oh, wellYrs Douglas</blockquote>

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