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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dustyview" data-source="post: 1483092" data-attributes="member: 76316">Ron and Kevin:  It's not so much that I liked the Nikons better, I was just surprised at how well they compared.   FOV was narrower and the image less bright w/ the Nikons (of course), but they definitely cut the haze better than the old Leicas.  As I noted before, image quality was sharper overall w/ the Leicas.I have enjoyed reading through many of the posts on the bin forum here on birdforum over the last month or two (just recently discovered the place).  I always wonder, though, in some of these comparisons, how much of a role is played by small sample size.  For instance, my old Venturer IIs may be an exceptionally good pair.  Also, I recently ordered two closeout pairs of the Vortex Hurricane for knock-around glasses.  The 8x are fine for what I need them for.  The seem well-made, are waterproof, have good eye relief (I use binoculars with and without glasses), have nice bright images, etc. (also some flare, finicky eye position issues, etc, so not perfect, but overall very useable).   The 10x, however, wouldn't even focus, with or without glasses -- probably some internal alignment problem.  So, almost the same binocular, presumably same factory, but two very different examples.  It's possible that the Leicas we tested against the Nikons may have been banged around or had some other issues.Ron, if you really want to get rid of your travelites there is a magnate school with an ecology/environmental focus here in UT where our lab recently did a microscopy presentation and I know they are looking for all kinds of optical gear for student use.  I'd be happy to take them, check them out, and get them to the school.  Even if they aren't great, they would be appreciated, I think.  (also a good excuse for me to drive up and see if there are any lingering Sandhills... <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> )  I'll PM you.EDIT:  Kevin, do you know whether the Prostaffs an optically improved Travelite, or just the same optics in a water-resistant housing?</blockquote>

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