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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1687552" data-attributes="member: 665">Steve,At $899, the 8x30 SLC is low in snob appeal, big in hunter appeal. From reading hunting bin forums, I find much less concern about a bin's logo's "cachet in the field" than I than do its utility. Besides, no-one would ever call you a snob. Frugal, perhaps, but not a snob. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />To clarify, I did not mean to imply that every birder buys alphas because of their snob appeal. Most would probably be happy to own an alpha with a missing logo or nameplate because of their excellent optics, build, warranty, and ability to endure the test of time. For avid birders and hunters with deep pockets, alphas represent a long-term investment, perhaps even a lifetime investment. But there is a small group of birders who would shun a Chinese bin or a Japanese bin even if they found it to be on par with an alpha simply because it's not European made. Or even choose one alpha over another even if they thought the competing brand had better optics, because the "red dot has more cachet in the field". (my favorite quote of all time <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Some car buyers are the same way. Even if a Japanese or an American luxury or sports car outperforms, is more fuel efficient, or is more reliable than a competing European model, they will always choose the "Euro sedan or sports car" simply because of the "class" associated with it. European luxury car companies exploit that appeal in their ads and commercials.But my point was that even as Chinese and Japanese bins come closer to the alphas (or in the case of the EDG, equal them), there will always be a market for Euro-made alpha bins, regardless of price or how competitive Chinese and Japanese optics become. Not only because of "snob appeal," which I don't think by itself can sustain those companies, but mainly because of their long-standing reputation for excellence and endurance. Although I have previously called for Leica to offer a second tier line of bins at the $1,200 price point like Zeiss, Swaro, and Nikon, now I see no point in it. Leica's exclusivity and price point are an important part of its marketing strategy. Btw, I agree with you about the ZR's focuser and diopter (both too stiff) and the glare/flare issue (which is supposed to be fixed on the new version), and while I would rather buy a Nikon 7x42 EDG, I think I can live with the stiff focuser and diopter on the ZR 7x36 ED2 MKII for $1,600 less.</blockquote>

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