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Message: <blockquote data-quote="elkcub" data-source="post: 1787548" data-attributes="member: 14473">Gianni, Assuming that all the particulars of your argument are correct, there is an important issue that is left out: aging!  Without exception, all the high end binoculars I own, whether purchased new or used, eventually had to be serviced.  Because they were high-end the manufacturer covered the repair under a lifetime warranty (or for a moderate 'no-fault' charge).     In the case of my 7x42 BGAT*P, Zeiss replaced a plastic collar that had split open on the left eyepiece, as well as the rubber boots on the objectives.  They had become brittle and cracked with age.  Internally, the lenses had to be cleaned and the focus mechanism repacked with grease.  There are similar stories for my early 1990 Swaro SLCs that relate to seals, grit in the mechanism, and internal cam replacement.  The oddest one was the growth of crystal tendrils inside the air tight Swaro 8x30 SLC due to plastic-nitrogen interaction.  My latest roof binoculars have a ways to go, but they too will no doubt age and need repair. I've reached the point where very few optical innovations justify upgrading my older equipment, and in not a few cases I would even have to question whether the new designs are really "better" rather than just "different."  Anyway, that's my 2 cents.  Ed</blockquote>