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Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Finnan" data-source="post: 391310" data-attributes="member: 17675">I can highly recommend the Nikon 7x50 IF SP (Prostars).  Their eye relief is 16mm and if you do not need to wear glasses when using binoculars, then I think they're much more comfortable to use than the Fujinons.They weight about 10 ounces more than the Zeiss 7x50 Classics but since the magnification is only 7x I do not find them difficult to hold steady.  However, if you use them for a long time their 50oz weight will cause your arms to tire.  This binocular was made specifically to meet the needs of astronomers and it was one of the first, if not the first binocular to use some type of ED glass.  There are very sharp right to the edge of the field and the glass is as clear as any I've seen in Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss binoculars.  Although, I have not had a chance to do a side by side comparison with the new Zeiss FL models yet.Nevertheless, this is a great binocular and highly regarded by astronomers.  When noted Canadian astronomers Terrance Dickenson and Alan Dyer published the first edition of their highly regarded "The Amateur Astronomers Handbook" in 1992, this is what they had to say about them, "For the purist, the Nikon 7 x 50 SP-HP Prostar (about $600) has the best optics we have seen in any binoculars at any price by any manufacturer".  The price has gone up a few hundred dollars since then, but that statement about it having the best optics of any binocular they ever tried can still be found in the most recent (around 2003) 3rd edition of their book.  I picked up a used pair (in excellent condition) last year out of curiosity.  I wondered, how could them be that good.  Well, overall, I still prefer my 8.5x42 ELs to them because of their higher power, lighter weight and better ergonomics.   Nevertheless, these 7x50 are so good I use quite it bit more than I expected to.  And their depth of field is the best I've seen in any binocular.  I'm sure that the Zeiss 7x50 classics are also superb (I have the 15x60 Classics) so you can't go wrong if you get those.  But if you get the opportunity to try a pair of these I think that you will have found your dream 7x50.John Finnan</blockquote>

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