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Message: <blockquote data-quote="James Bean" data-source="post: 1370639" data-attributes="member: 64331"><p>I have lots of 'keepers', not necessarily because they're the best of their kind, but just because I like them. My all-time 'best ever' is a Carl Zeiss Jena 8x50 BGA Octarem; just wonderful, seldom equalled, never surpassed in my own personal experience, although I have never paid more than £425 for a binocular in my life (a Zeiss 10x40 BGAT* Classic, which is still one of my favourites). My Swift 10x50 Kestrel will see off most competition, and my Pentax 6.5x21 Papilio has its endearing close-focus qualities. I'm fond too of my Swift Audubons, of which I have three, from the original Tamron-made big body model to the later HR/5 and more compact types. I also wouldn't part with a mint Hensoldt 7x42 Dialyt, forerunner of the Zeiss Classic, and a beautifully made Kern 8x30 Pizar which has impeccable build quality, and looks pretty much like a Nikon E or Zeiss Deltrintem. Also, I am fond of my Nikon 7x20 III Travelite and an even smaller Minolta 8x20 Compact porro from the 1970s, a little gem. A recent 'find' is a Pentax 8x36 DCF HS which I've taken to immediately, perhaps harkening back to the days when you'd "just hold a Pentax". But if I had to have just one binocular, it would be the Zeiss Octarem, despite its weight and size, because it's the best view I've had. Each to his own, and I'm happy with mine...</p></blockquote><p></p>