Tobias certainly knows lots about binoculars (and holds strong opinions as well, which isn't a bad thing at all). And he has the distinct advantage, in the above-referenced article, of actually looking through the SLCs (which is more than I've done) and directly comparing them with others.
And while I certainly don't want to go here:
[..]didn‘t we have a very looooong debate here recently about what is "alpha" and what not?
...I do think its worth re-emphasising something Bill said earlier in this thread:
You can spend more than $2,500 on a fine Alpha binocular. Or, you can spend less than $1,000 on one that has 95% to 97% of its performance and longevity and, unless you’re a super-nitnoid won’t be able to perceive the difference.
I own some very nice binoculars, some of which might be considered "alpha", or might be old enough that they might only be considered "near-alpha". Those are Zeiss FLs in 8x32 and 10x56. I also own some bins which might be considered "sub-alpha": Tract Toric 8x42s, and Nikon EIIs in 8x30 and 10x35. I find the views from those more than adequate for my purposes and hardly notice the difference, in practice, when using them rather than comparing them.
For
me (others may differ, and almost certainly will) I am very happy with the quality of view I get from my "sub-alpha" bins and wouldn't pay a cent extra for the somewhat improved views through an "alpha". I own those Zeiss FL 8x32s (for which, at least, I paid an "alpha"-level price) for reasons of physical size, ergonomics, etc. etc. and not for the better view, as such (although I do appreciate it). If I'd been able to meet those non-optical requirements in a "sub-alpha" bin with
slightly lower optical performance for half the price or less then I would have done so in a heartbeat. I could easily have used the $1,000 or more saved for something else. (Note: I own the Zeiss FL 10x56s simply because I stumbled across an exceptionally good deal where I paid a less than "sub-alpha" price for pristine 2nd-hand bins, which I do get good use from.)
As I say, others may differ from my approach here. But for me, and for my purposes, chasing diminishing returns to purchase the last few available percentage points of performance from a binocular isn't really my thing. If it is yours then: great! I just think it is worth pausing to consider, before paying tip-top dollar, whether the cost of the absolute best is worth it when near-enough might, as it is for me, be good enough for you too.
...Mike