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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 1730725" data-attributes="member: 56622">Yes it is indeed possible to similar quality cheaper, but you need to go to about $400 for a ZEN ED, Promaster, Hawke, or Atlas.  I did not go there, as I respected your position on cost.  A less expensive alternative to the ZEN class is the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, but it is still way above your limit.Phase correction is s bit more complicated than you make it.  Essentially as the light passes through the roof prisms, it gets separated into the primary colors (out of phase to an optical engineer)  As it goes into the last prism, that prism has to force that light back into "phase".  Early roofs were dim because this going back into phase was the weak link and had the potential to loose a lot of light transmission.  You can only do so much with design, quality and workmanship. and the Leitz got about all of that that could be gotten.  When Leica emerged, the Trinovid was phase corrected (or shortly thereafter).Even with modern technology, the Bushnell H2O is not much force.  I fear you will soon find out in use it is not what it appeared, and you will be stuck with something you don't like and the same cost limitation facing you.So if you want a roof, at your price, I would suggest you call someplace like Eagle Optics, explain your needs.  They have a very generous return policy and you then have the option of not getting stuck with something.  EO also has something else, knowledgeable people actually answer the phone.  I'd highly recommend the Atlas Radian from EO, which is just at the upper end of your budget.  Zen Ray's new Vista should be more of the same, they have a first rate return policy.  I would not place much faith in the retailers you mentioned and the lines they have on display.</blockquote>

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