As a matter of introduction, I am a birder first and foremost, with a keen interest in binoculars. I have been actively birding for over 30 years and joined BIRDFORUM for the birds. On the binocular side, over time I have assembled a nice collection of both new and vintage binoculars. While I may lean on the alpha/near alpha glass for serious study, I also enjoy using the vintage glass. For example, I own a near mint pair of LECIA 8x32s from the late 60s/early 70s which I acquired used. Pre red dot, the box logo indicates the model year. I owned and sold a Zeiss Dialyst 7x42 largely due to the ergonomics not being a good fit for me. I rely on the Swaro 8x25 when backpacking for 10 or more miles. Its a great little glass and the eyecups are very close to standard size. I also own the NIKON SE CF 10x42 poro. It's easy on the eye and one of Nikon's best optically, but it is not nitrogen purged, so it stays home in bad weather. Then there are the vintage binos from Japanese factories (mostly 8x30s or 6x30s) post WWII. While I favor the Nippon Kogaku, I also own binoculars made by Katsuma (B2), Fuji (B8) Tamron (B45) and Yoko Sango (B191). Recently I picked up an absolutely pristine SWIFT 7x50 BCF Skipper in the original box, unmarked, original leather case, unmarked., with all paperwork and accessories. The binoculars were kept in the box and appeared to never have been used. These are really nice for astronomical observation. Ditto on my SWIFT Plovers 8x40 W.A. And I also own a first generation VANGUARD Endeavor 8x42 and Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42. Then there was the Habicht 10x42 WB and Opticron MG black. Lastly, I have owned Zeiss Conquests but returned them due to eye piece issues. I also had blackout problems with the Victory 8x32. I owned Terras for a couple of hours years back. And Vortex 8x32s. One that I sold that I would like to get back is the Meopta Meopro 6.5x32, the version with the OWL on the box. That glass was like having your eyes magnified, the bino disappeared and there was zero eye strain. Made in Czechoslovakia. A little short on magnification.
So as a birder, the way a binocular handles in the field, its fit and finish, the way my hands wrap around it and steady it matter. Obviously the vintage stuff did not benefit by today's coating technology, and many of them were not waterproof. But great glass is great glass, and some vintage came down to design and craftsmanship, prior to lazer technology. I try to match the performance expectation to the price point. As I discussed in a previous thread that you weighed in on, I do like the 8x42 Trinovid HD in the field. Perhaps the Zeiss Conquest resolves a tad clearer, but it just doesn't handle like the Leica, in my hands. And I have come to appreciate the view that is relaxing and detailed...color and contrast over the enth degree of resolution. That extra bit of resolution is certainly there with the Noctivid, but at a substantial increase in price. I may purchase the Noctivid down the road. I can hold the 10x42 quite steady due to its superior weight distribution. I will concede that the Swarovski Pure is an amazing binocular optically, the shape doesn't work for me. As for Zeiss, I flirt with the brand on and off, but past experience gives me pause. A friend who traded up to the SF from the Conquest used the SF for a year and had to send it in for a repair, which took it out of his hands for quite some time. He didn't drop it. I do believe the LEICA build quality and QC, Portugal or Germany, is superior to the rest. That is only my opinion.
Now this collection of binoculars with the exception of the recent additions have spent a zillion hours in the field. Some have worked better than others, but the keepers are keepers. They have allowed me to develop technique for stealthfully finding and tracking birds of a couple thousand species. I meticulously maintain all of them, sable brush and microfiber cloth.
I was an obsessive/compulsive audiophile. Now I listen to music and enjoy it. Birding for me is the reason I own binoculars. I have an interest in the equipment and am here to learn more from guys like you. But remember that a mule is moved forward by the carrot as well as the stick. And keep in mind that stats are wonderful as directional information, but they don't tell the whole story. If they did, there would be no reason to try on a pair of shoes before you buy them!
By the way, I am also blessed as a throat cancer survivor. 30 radiation and 6 chemo sessions later, with lots of side complications, I am still patrolilng the marshes in search of birds. My family and friends helped me through those difficult times, but I had no intention of cutting my birding career short...expecially when I owned so many pairs of binoculars. And this is my third year, cancer free.
To quote Forrest Gump, "And that's all I have to say about that."
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