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Message: <blockquote data-quote="James Bean" data-source="post: 1376329" data-attributes="member: 64331"><p>I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Being 'comfortable' with a binocular is perhaps the paramount consideration. Optical quality is always important, but super-sharp optics can be let down by poor ergonomics: stiff/sloppy or too fast/slow focusing; inadequate eye relief; clumsy handling/balance; unattractive/awkward body; difficult/loose dioptre adjustment; size & weight, etc. Most modern binoculars (and quite a few old ones) have good optics, some even superb, and the better ones have the benefits of ED glass and phase coating, so 'decent' optical quality is the norm. That doesn't stop us searching for the holy grail of the 'perfect binocular'. There is an old adage, "the best binocular is the one you are not conscious of using; you just see the view"; and another is "if it looks & feels right, it probably is..." which inevitably leads to the conclusion that choice is very subjective: what pleases me may infuriate you. Thus, the sound advice, "try before you buy" still holds true. However, this is not possible with mail order or eBay purchases, so it's doubly rewarding to discover your latest acquisition 'fits the bill' nicely. That happy experience came to me in the form of a Pentax 8x36 DCF HS which, as soon as the box was opened, fitted my hands perfectly and felt 'right'; I was 'at home' with it from the word 'go'; it may not be the 'best' of my binoculars in purely technical terms, but we go together so comfortably that I expect it will become my preferred 'daily user' choice. So I agree with 'Fireform': as long as the optics are good enough, 'fit & feel' win the day.</p></blockquote><p></p>

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