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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Al Downie" data-source="post: 3424128" data-attributes="member: 4042"><p>This winter I felt an urge to buy a 7x42 binocular to complement my long-time favourite (Nikon 8x32 SE). With time to kill, and cost not a factor, I went into Cley Spy one day to look at a Leica Ultravid HD+. While I was there, the very helpful staff member put a couple of Zeiss models, Nikons, a used 8x42 SLC HD, a new 8x42 SLC, new 8x32 EL-SW, and a new 8x42.5 EL-SW. After almost an hour standing by the door, constantly swapping models, I came to the conclusion that the best binocular of the lot was the used SLC HD. Better than its newer model; better even than the 8x42.5 EL about which I'd read so many amazing reviews. I didn't really like any of the EL models, truth be told, but every time I put the SLC HD to my eye, it instantly snapped into place with an astonishingly bright and sharp image, perfectly even across the whole, wide field. They were in mint condition, boxed with all accessories, and cost me £900. But if they'd been the same price as the most expensive of all the models put in front of me, I'd still have bought them. They're by far the best, easiest-to-use binoculars I've ever tried. Wonderful glass.</p></blockquote><p></p>