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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 3330625" data-attributes="member: 56622">I can't say that it did.  For me, modern alpha class glass does NOT live up to its hype.  Nothing currently on the market shows the wow that I got from the 1992 Leica Trinovid.  Are the modern ones better, sure, I'd say so, but the competition is far more intense that the Trinovid had in those days.  I know not everybody will agree with that, but that is how it strikes me.  Are they great binoculars, yes indeed they are.  Are they perhaps a shade better than others when side by side, mostly yes they are. With your cycling $10,000 of optics through your hands, I'd venture a guess you need to step back and slow down.  I came to the conclusion quite some time ago that differences are mostly elusive and ephemeral.  There is no such thing as a best binocular.  Some are just better than others for some people in some scenarios.  Others may be better for the same user in a different scenario.  I will offer my opinion that if that $10k didn't show you the right one, that another $10k won't either.My advice at this point is for you to get the 8.5x42 SV and live with it, if you want to narrow the choice to a single binocular.  Alternatively, duplicate Ted and get an 8x32 SV to compliment the 10x50 SV.  I say these because you seem to gravitate more to Swarovski than to others, so I'd stay there.</blockquote>