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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1861919" data-attributes="member: 665">I guess that depends on how you define "cold". I used the 8x32 LX during the winter for three and a half years, and never noticed any stiffness, but I don't stay out for long periods and generally don't go birding below 20* F. I once went out with the LX in 0* F weather for about 15 minutes. The focuser was fine, but I kept fogging up the EPs because of having my scarf around my mouth, so it was futile, but I'm sure the focuser would have lasted longer than I would have. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Steve (mooreless) had the same 8x32 LX out in 5* F weather for a half hour (he put them outside, the cheater <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />, and the focuser stiffened up. The focuser on his 8x30 SLC, which he had out for the same length of time, was still moving (albeit stiffly in one direction, I bet <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />.So perhaps there is a trade-off for Nikon's smooth focusers, but if so, it's a trade-off that suits me, not being a "polar bear birder". <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Of course, the Ultravid doesn't have any grease, so there's nothing to stiffen up. With the Ultravid, the trade-off goes the other way around. But, as before, my point is that during temperate weather, the focusers on the LX/LX L/EDG are buttery smooth, and for close-in birding, they are a real pleasure to use. Jerry makes a good point about the Swaros popularity with hunters who do their business in the dead of winter. Plus, hunters are viewing at longer distances than birders and not focusing as often. So if the focuser turns, that's good enough, it doesn't have to be "I can't believe it's not butter" smooth. As a hunter once wrote on a hunting optics forum: "There is no one more 'anal' about their optics than birders". He meant that in a complimentary way, in recommending that the poster of the OP check out birding optics forums to find out which bin is the best for this or that quality, because birders generally are more fussy and informed about their optics than hunters. There is a subset of hunters that are as "anal" as some birders that haunt these forums, but if you go to your local sporting goods shop, you see the kind of bins they sell, some of which come in plastic packaging. My neighbor is a hunter, and he comes from a rural county in Pa., next to Potter County, which is basically a big hunting camp. I showed him the Swaro EL, figuring he'd have heard of it. Not only hadn't he heard of Swarovski, but he doesn't even use bins to hunt. Pshaw!</blockquote>

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