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Message: <blockquote data-quote="OPTIC_NUT" data-source="post: 3328748" data-attributes="member: 121951">So many Alpha-holders have extolled the qualities and economic comfortsof often toting around Leupold Yosemite 6x30s or 8x30s, it seems like a good modelfor what is essential to be good.   At least a few more sisters and clones of thoseare excellent, too.  I ran into stiction trouble with Yosemites, so I would pick the Kowa 8x30 YF on another day, but the Leupold production line may have fixed this.I use some classics most of the time, both Toei Kogaku (JB4), but for new I would consider that "Yosemite family"the 95% of performance for 10% of the price.  Or maybe Nikon ProStaff 7S models,if you want a little more flatness at under $200.The best deal in new for me was the Barska 8x30 Crossover, for its phenomenaleyeglass friendliness and smooth focus, but I had to do a little re-design on the focuser,so it isn't a sure bet for someone wanting to keep QC/lasting issues out of the livingroom.</blockquote>