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Message: <blockquote data-quote="typo" data-source="post: 3221627" data-attributes="member: 83808">Jim,I thought Bob and the others were doing a good job of weighing up the options so not wishing to add to the confusion I've stayed out of it so far. The Terra is a pretty good binocular for the money. Of course you are paying a bit more for the name, but I'm sure you'd find it quite a revelation after the old Pentax. I imagine it would serve you well. I've not seen the 8x32 yet but I've found samples of the 8x42 to be quite variable from very mediocre to really quite good. I wouldn't be too concerned as many will find 'mediocre' quite satisfactory, however I'd personally would want to try the one I was buying but appreciate that's not an option for you. If you are having a rethink, I'll offer a few comments on the others mentioned.We believe the Hawke Sapphire ED dual hinge is pretty much the same as the ZenRay EDIII. There will still be sample variation but I would suggest the QC is a bit tighter on the Hawkes than the Terras I've tried so I'd rank it a little higher on optical performance. The ergonomics are very much a personal thing but I preferred the single hinge version of the Sapphire ED which sell for a bit less.I've only had a brief look at the Nikon M5. It's small and light and optically pretty good, just marred by the narrow view. The M7 I'm undecided about. At launch, the one I tried was very disappointing, but I suspect it's been tweaked since then and the last one I tried I almost liked. Almost, because there is still a bit of distortion in the view which I don't like but it's probably only detectable by a minority of users. Still small and light, big sweet spot, good sharpness, good colour, just for me not as nice as it's baby brother, the M7 8x30.The Vanguard EDII I'd suggest is the technically the most sophisticated of the models mentioned so far. I've found it's view as sharp, flat, and CA free as the premium models, but you don't get all the bells and whistles for that kind of money. The most obvious point is optical transmission and colour neutrality could (should?) be better, and I don't feel the ergonomics are as well deigned as some of the competition. Those points weigh heavily for some. <a href="http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/446/cat/9" target="_blank">http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/446/cat/9</a>I realise the you have made clear that the ZenRay Prime is well over budget, but I was fortunate to win one in a forum competition last year. I think the Vanguard has it's nose in front on some technical points and the ZR on others, but overall a very good binocular and one I find particularly enjoyable to use. The Zeiss Conquest HD is a good binocular and has a devoted following here but depending on your priorities I personally think you might find you can do better for less. Good luck,DavidPS. Just to pick up on Perterra's point. If you are intending to buy big as soon as you get to Seattle it might be worth starting a step down from the levels we've been discussing and think of what might compliment that purchase. If your main binocular is ultimately a 8x42, then something like the ones he mentioned, Nikon Prostaff 7 10x42 or the Yosemite 6x30 are very good for the money and would increase the range of use. You will find good reports on models from Sightron, ZenRay, Celestron and many others which might be considered.</blockquote>

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