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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 3246342" data-attributes="member: 665">Lee,I'll admit your "admit" correction. :smoke: It's widely known that you are a Zeiss fan, tried and true, which is why I used that word. If you had chosen the SV EL over the SF, I wouldn't be writing this because I'd still be in treatment for shock. :eek!:On the cyclic idea, I don't think you can go back to ye olde days to look for an example of one company toppling another with a top new product, because none of the alphas had as many choices in their line-ups as they do now. Nor were they so similar in design. Think EDG, SV EL and SF. All you had in 1999 was the EL in this design/price segment. Even Leica, which hasn't come out with a new top banana (which will probably weigh 1/2 a banana less than the competition <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />) has the new Trinnie, Silverlines, and the Amazing Technicolor Compacts. And, as you pointed out, Zeiss has upgraded its second tier offerings and has entered the entry-level roof market (did a good job with the 8x32 Terra ED, I might add). Today's alpha offerings aren't your father's skimpy line-ups of a 7x42 Dialyt or 10x40 B/GA or 8x56 B/GA. I think what we have seen over the past 10 years or so is the establishment of New World Order in Sports Optics. As much as it pains me to admit it since it might fan the fire of the Defenders, Swaro has established itself on the top of the Pyramid. As we know from examples in Egypt, pyramids last a long time and do not topple easily. For those like Steve C. who don't already own any alphas, and have deep pockets from selling pricey organic produce and beef, Zeiss has some very intriguing offerings in the HT and SF, but note that even Steve is leaning toward Swaro in his percentages (my guess it's the hunter in him). I'll stick with my "big assumption" that most SV EL and SLC HD owners will not likely switch brands to Zeiss, but rather Zeiss's customers at the top end will come from those who either don't own alphas or own very old ones and are looking to upgrade to something new. You don't need "time will tell" when you have precognition like I do. :smoke:Where Zeiss is most competitive is at the second tier level with the Conquest HD line. Heck, that bulletproof video even had me thinking about buying one, and I usually don't even think twice about closed bridge roofs. Swaro has nothing to compete with the Conquest 8x and 10x42 HD at that price point. The 8x30 CL might compete with the 8x32 CHD, but I see more birders going for the CHD and hunters for the CL. Most birders prefer a wide FOV and a good close focus. And Zeiss is now also competitive with its entry-level market with the Terra ED line. The Big Three have nothing at this level, the only competition from an alpha maker is from Nikon's 30mm M7s. I wonder if Zeiss will expand its Terra line like they did their other two lines to compete with Nikon's 8x and 10x56 Monarch 5s?Even if Leica came out with its version of the EDG/SV EL/SF, it would be "too little, too late." Leica fans obviously don't care about edge performance or they would have bought one of the above instead. As the saying goes, "first come, first served."Unless Leica breaks with tradition and uses Pergers in its new alpha line, I think UV HD+ is as good as it's going to get, which for some will be good enough, but not enough to topple Swaro from the top of the Pyramid. Brock</blockquote>

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