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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BruceH" data-source="post: 3456750" data-attributes="member: 106398">GG ...... To follow up on Chuck's comment, if weight is a high priority, then you may also what to consider the 10X42 Votex Razor.  It is 24.8 oz and has an exceptional wide field of view of 362 ft.  Overall, the reviews have been good, but I would check out CA and stray light handling.  They are on the high side price wise for that class at $1,200.  Optics Planet and Cameraland will have 10% off promotions at times.  My benchmark in that class is the Zeiss Conquest HD 10X42 which I like a little better optically.  It is also less expensive at $1,000 (and possibly less if you shop around), but it weighs in at 28 oz.  That is less than an oz more than your Leica. The Conquest also has a little more eye relief than the Razor at 17mm vs 16.5mm.  Zeiss currently has a $50 rebate on the Conquest HD 10X42.  Since this will be a specialty binocular for you, I assume it will get much less use than your 7X Leica.  In that case, I can where it would be difficult to justify the price of an alpha if it is not going to get used regularly.  In response to your original question on the benefits of a 10X:  Yes, I think there is a place for it in wildlife observation.  I have a couple of 7X and I almost never use them.  I also have 8X, 10X, 12X and 15X.  I use a 10X more than all the others put together.  After all, the purpose of my using binoculars is to effectively bring the subject closer to me.  A 10 does that better than a 7 or an 8!.  The downside is they are harder to control the shake, the FOV is smaller and the depth of field is less.   I am fortunate in that I can control the shake of a 10 to my satisfaction and most of the time I can find something to brace against.  The smaller FOV and DOF are generally not an issue because when I use a 10X, I am concentrating on just one subject in the view and those two factors do not come into play.  I have been out with an 8X on more than one occasion and was viewing something where I wanted a closer look and wished I had a 10X.  The 10X can do what an 8X will do, but not always as well, but an 8X will not be able to provide the detail that you can see with a 10X.  I see a place for multiple binoculars of different powers on the shelf.By the way, your old Nikon SE says "Hi"!</blockquote>

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