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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alexis Powell" data-source="post: 1296858" data-attributes="member: 5327">Thanks Frank, though  I don't feel I've had much of anything new to say in a long while and I'm not sure I have much more to contribute to the forum. Time for some new blood!As for bino acquisition, there too I feel like I've reached a point of stability (stasis).  Much of my “collecting” over the past 10-15 years has been driven by a desire to add functionality to my set in use, and to optimize the overall performance of my best model in each size category.  The best of today’s binos meet my standards, so if I had less sentimental attachment to my current set (and I thought I could get more for each of them than is probably realistic) I’d winnow it down to my favorite model in each category and be happy for the foreseeable future.  For my use, a “complete” birding set consists of an 8x pocket roof, a small 2/3 sized roof, and full-sized roof--all with close-enough focus for butterflying. Leica 8x20 UltravidZeiss 8x32 FL  (I’d prefer Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD if eye-relief were not a slight issue)Swarovski 8.5x42 EL I’m sure slightly better optics will come along eventually, and as an optics enthusiast I will be very interested in them, but since my standards have at last been met and I’m not sure how functionally relevant further improvements will be (with the exception of image stabilization), I expect to be very slow/patient about “upgrading” from here on out.  Lucky for me too, I guess, because though I’ve never had much money (I just target what money I do have into education, optics, travel, and bicycles), I’m facing a relatively financially bleak period for the next 3-5 years.--AP</blockquote>

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