Most definitely yes to your last question. That would set it for you. Maybe you like what you see, maybe you don't.So, what am I missing?... Should I pick up a Nikon E11 or a Habicht and see?
Especially in such a "personal" thread like this, no one would probably be able to provide with an answer for you, but, as you see, for many people they do provide some very valuable features.
In many cases, designs made several decades ago cater for the needs of some, especially in FOV, something most roofs lag behind even today. Take the EII, it was released in the last century, and provides a FOV that puts many +1000 $/€ to shame. Then the handling may or may not be of your liking, the same way a pair of shoes can mean heaven or hell to you, or the same way you can love hate a manual/automatic gear car.
As for pure performance, when you say "(c) the specs are not much to look at either". Well, to begin with, there is a very simple piece of specification where not even a +2000 $ Swarovski EL can come closer: 3D view, plasticity, simple as that. A 100 $ Nikon porro can provide a much more 3D-like/realistic/plastic view than a +2000 $ Leica, by the simple fact of having its objectives spaced further away, thus creating the stereopsis. I think I wrote about it some days ago, I was comparing two top roofs (Zeiss FL 8x32 vs Leica UVHD 8x32), and then I looked through the EII. Yes, both the Zeiss and the Leica were brighter and sharper... but none could mach the humble EII (at less than 1/4 the price) for "vividness", "realism" in close/middle range, like watching warblers on a hedge or canopy, where the branches simply pop and seem to be seen with 3D glasses, thus making the experience something to behold... talking about specs and performance
But, as can be seen in any thread here in BF, binoculars are just so personal. Some people praise the binocular that other people despise, and some are utterly happy with things many others simply can't tolerate: FOV, weight, CA, RB effect, edge performance, handling, eyecup comfort, you name it. So you just have to try and see if you like it. For me the EII gives amazing views in a compact format with an amazing "ease of view" and with a feel/shape-factor that I love (I know many other people disagree, even very knowledgeable people who know galaxies more than I do about binoculars). As for the Habicht 8x30. Well, those you have to try for yourself to really appreciate. To me they're faulty in many areas, but the sheer sharpness and brightness makes me want to have a pair just for the pleasure of looking through them. Not at birds, but at the world I sold mine, but basically because I was looking for a birding 8x30.