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Message: <blockquote data-quote="denco@comcast.n" data-source="post: 2336890" data-attributes="member: 25300"><p>If you have been following Frank's thread on the Sightron Blue Sky SII 8x32 binoculars you know there has been a alot of praise for these inexpensive roof prisms. I thought I would compare them to a couple of the top roof prism alpha binoculars since I have them in my collection at present the Zeiss 8x32 FL and the Nikon 8x32 EDG II. First of all I have to agree with Frank and his review is spot on. Everything he says about these fine little binoculars is true. They represent an awesome value for the money. In fact I would say dollar for dollar they are a better value than the Nikon 8x32 SE or EII and they are WATERPROOF! I won't repeat all the good things that have been said about them. Some good things about them deserves repeating though and that is they are light at about 17 oz. and the ergonomics are great with the open frame design. Comparing them to my two other alphas I found they are about 90% as good optically. The Zeiss FL and the Nikon EDG's are slightly brighter and they both have sharper edges with the EDG of course having the sharpest edges with it's field flatteners. Contrast on the two alphas are also a little superior. It's really the law of diminishing returns. The Nikon EDG and Zeiss FL are so close optically it is a toss up as to which one is better. The EDG has sharper edges but the on-axis resolution of the Zeiss FL is really hard to beat. On the two alphas it would come down which one feels better in your hands, which focus do you like better, how the eyecups work for you and all those other things that only you personally can decide which makes one binocular or the other better for you. I don't need two alphas but I will have a hard time deciding which one to keep. The Sightron Blue Sky SII 8x32 is definitely a keeper for me though because it is so inexpensive at $200.00. I like the small size and simplicity of it. In Franks long search for the best buy in binoculars he has finally struck gold with these little gems but there is one problem with them that could be a deal breaker for some people. The focus. Number one in warm weather it is a little too stiff and number two it gets STIFFER when the temperature drops. Whe I received the Sightrons they had been sitting on my front porch for a few hours and the temperature outside was 30 degrees. The first thing I checked on them after opening the box was the focus and it was STIFF! In fact I almost boxed them back up to return them at this point but I wanted to check the optics so I took them in the house. Once they warmed up they became usable but they are still on the STIFF side. When I was testing the three binoculars it was about 45 to 50 degrees out and the two alphas focus still worked buttersmooth but again the Sightron started getting STIFF. So if you plan on using the Sightrons in cold weather be aware the focus is going to get very stiff. So this may be a deal breaker for hunters or birders that tend to use their binoculars in colder weather. I will keep the Sightron's for warmer weather because for the price they do have nice optics. They are not quite equal to the alphas but for $200.00 I don't think there is a better value out there. As I use these more I will update anything I notice about them but overall a great little roof. Thanks Frank!</p></blockquote><p></p>

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