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Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Dracon" data-source="post: 1723051" data-attributes="member: 14799">Sancho - I really did like the EII 8x30.  Mine was an ergonomic problem - my hands are too large for them with their short, stubby barrels.  The 10x35 are much better for me. Now I'm going to share some observations about the EIIs v. the SEs.  I have had all the models and used them frequently.  As do many of my friends who aren't mesmerized by all the roof prism cant. In terms of ruggedness, the EIIs are somewhat fragile. (compared to the SEs)   A short drop can cause some prism shift and hence collimation problems.  Nikon uses some sort of composite glue like putty to fix the prisms.On occasion a small piece can break off and become very annoying if it rests on the focal plane or prism face.  For do it your self folks, re-collimation is relatively simple since Nikon has the objectives in eccentric rings.  The fact that the EIIs have exposed metal where it is most likely to be bumped (lids, beauty rings) simply invites jarring and marring which can cause collimation problems when the bumps are severe.  I have yet to see a Nikon SE that needs re-collimation,  and I have looked at dozens.  The SEs are built like a tank, and the rubber covering gives significant protection in case of bumps and drops.  There is no way of getting data from the Nikon repair shop, but I would wager that SEs are seldomed returned for repairs. There is a simple and cost effective way to protect the EIIs when hard usuage cannot be avoided.  3M makes a adhesive backed soft plastic stirp (various widths and colors) on rolls.  The surface is like rough sandpaper(no scratching, however), and it can be easily cut to pressure fit on all surfaces of the EIIs.  I use Butler Creek scope covers of the correct inside diameter to go over the objectives, giving significant protection, and also because they rotate inward, they are out of the way.  My Zeiss 8x32 FL barrel covers, while giving a good seal, are annoying, flopping away when the binoculars are in use.The 3'M tape provides the best non-slip surface possible.  Here in Montana where both wet and snowy conditions are common, an EII covered by this material handles all conditions.  Even the latest factory covered materials get slippery when the temperatures fall below freezing and dry snow gets beween the surface of the binocular and your gloves.  Something like dancing on a hard wood floor sprinkled with corn meal.The most severe criticism I can level against the EIIs is the recessed area and the ineffective covering and gluing thereof of the main gripping areas.  Why the engineers came up with this design baffles me.  It won't stay glued and it gives little protection.Criticisms aside, for the careful user, the EIIs will provide high quality viewing for years.I consider it one of the real bargains out in binocular land.  John</blockquote>

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