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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GeneralEverything" data-source="post: 1341581" data-attributes="member: 71227">Not to break up your guy's party, but let me say: this purchase is only going to be one of the newer/better models; and the trinovid and conquest don't fit the bill. Again, the Ultravid, which I would love, and salivate over having the Leica name, is not in contention, unfortunately, due to the premium, doesn't seem realistic. I can find the Zeiss for well under $400, and can't find the ultravid for less than...$650? Maybe? I really don't know. No place that discounts heavily seems to have them. I could possibly squeeze out $450 for an ultravid, as I have heard they are the best compacts ever. Aside from that pipe dream, I am leaning towards either the Victory or the LXL. The LXL I will have to see and hold, to see how large it actually is... looks rather large, and if the Zeiss offers a significant portability advantage, I might just sacrifice image for portability.Tero, I can definitely see the logic behind this. Maybe when I have a job with a car that is nearby, or my behind is parked in one place most of the time, I could follow this outlook, but I'm highly mobile- and unpredictable adventures abound. Thus, I must fracture the field with multiple bins.Hehe... same feeling here, except it's about the victory vs. the ultravid... sigh, compromises do suck, don't they? Really? All the data I've seen (possibly without this update on the swaro) always gave the Swaro high marks for ergonomics, but lost most every contest to other compacts. If there is something I don't know, then stop me from being ignorant!!<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Yeah, I've found this phenomenon with a lot of products- everyone touts the advantages of larger items, but secretly, or perhaps, a silent majority, quietly enjoy their "compromise" pieces. Big is better, with most everything. Sometimes, however, big just won't work.Good short list. Of course, the field is pretty small when it comes to these things, so saying I've looked at all your choices really means nothing. My vote would be for the LXL, if you were able to carry the 8x25, if uncomfortably. The LXL, from pictures I've seen, looks like I'll need to see it in person before I pass judgment on if it is small enough for me. But aside from size, it is essentially the 2nd best (1st in some ways), with only the $$$ Leica Ultravid beating it.My Every Day Carry is, generally, shirt and pants, but usually have a small messenger bag. Problem is, the bag won't be devoted to optics exclusively. It's gotta carry other adventure necessities: GPS, mini first-aid kit, p-cord, camera, multi-tool, flashlight, cell phone, change, pen, pencil, notebook (small), lighter/survival firestarter (I don't smoke), handkerchief, maps of the area, extra batteries, and, ahem, "protection" (of the little foil packet kind). That's what I can remember right now, there might be a little more. On my person, a pocket knife, handkerchief, flashlight (different from earlier one)- sans bag- add the phone and protection. Binoculars are just another tool I find useful. I explore them and the associated community, and do enjoy such things. However, I like doing a lot of different things, and though I may involve myself with a community, I do not stay wedded to one hobby. Hence my handle, General Everything: I like everything with expensive toys in general, I like to have command of everything, etc. I mostly like to buy once and then never again. I check in on gear every so often, see if the new stuff is worth the money. But I like to have premium gear. It makes me feel I am less vulnerable to technological improvements, and that I actually have taste (yeah, I know, I'm lying to myself o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" />).Cheers,GenEv</blockquote>

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