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Message: <blockquote data-quote="stephen b" data-source="post: 3234858" data-attributes="member: 80110">John,Thank you for your service- it is appreciated! And I always enjoy your posts here.I agree with what has been said above concerning low power and bigger exit pupil binoculars for both birding and hunting. My main binoculars for both pursuits have been 7 and 6 power. I used a 7x26 and 6x25 Bushnell/ B&L customs; a 7x30 Swaro SLC; a 6x30 Leupold Yosemite; and even my main binocular for many years was a 7x35 Bushnell. And I also used a couple of 10x sparingly along with spotters.The last 6 years I have dove into an increased interest in optics and have had and added a number of 8x binoculars. Everything from a 8x42 Swaro SLC HD; 8x32 SV; 8x30 SLC; 8x30 Swaro Habicht porro; 8x32 Nikon SE; 8x30 Nikon E II; and a couple of 8x Leupold's. And up until recently I would have told you that my favorite format was a 8x30/32 ( mostly because they don't really make many 7x30-35 binoculars anymore.Recently my thinking has changed a bit. That is because of recent experience with a couple 7x42 Swarovski's- a SLC NEU, and a new Swaro Habicht porro. Having the 7x42 SLC NEU now is kind of ironic for me because prior to to my purchase of my 7x30 SLC in the mid 90's I had a 7x42 SLC for a couple weeks. I found it a bit too heavy for me ( still is heavy); and the shop owner graciously allowed me to return the 7x42 SLC and swap it out for a 7x30.Since using the 7x42 Swaro's recently I have found my self simply in love with their view. Both are different in size, and weight ( 11 oz separate them)- I love the view through both for slightly different reasons. The SLC NEU has this great big wide FOV, with a sharp almost to very edge view. And it's colors and contrast are very nice. And it is so meaty, steady and robust- the proverbial tank of a bino. The Habicht is very, very sharp- it's absolute resolving ability is slightly greater than the SLC NEU. It is amazing how sharp these Swaro Habichts are- especially the latest ones with the advantage of all of the Swarovski updated coatings. And the view through the Habicht is a bit more neutral color wise compared to the SLC. And the Habicht is a lot lighter than the SLC - it weighs only 23 oz. But... The Habicht has a much narrower FOV and the eye cups are certainly not as simple and easy to deal with. Also the Habicht is probably a bit more fragile than the SLC. But it is a classic binocular with a simple superb amazingly sharp view.So which one do I like more? The answer is it is really a toss up for different reasons. I like them both a lot. That is why even though they seem to be duplicates as far as both being 7x42 Swaro's- they each have different attributes that lend themselves to different viewing and carrying reasons. So I will most likely keep and enjoy both of them.I still have a couple of 8x powers ( 8x30 Swaro SLC NEU, and a 8x32 Leupold Mojave, and an inexpensive loaner 8x42 REI)- but in the future I can see my self mostly using these 7x Swaro's and my 6x30 Leupold's more than the 8x powers that I have. In fact, other than the Swaro 8x30 SLC NEU being a classic very nice binocular, I do not see it getting a lot of use. My thoughts on all this may change over time, but right now I am mesmerized by this 7x and 6mm exit pupil view.So for rambling a bit- not sure if my comments lended much to to topic at hand.</blockquote>

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