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Message: <blockquote data-quote="james holdsworth" data-source="post: 3715415" data-attributes="member: 79864">I finally got my hands on an 8x42 SF for some extended viewing. Unfortunately weather was bright and sunny, what I think is the worst condition to evaluate optics - so I would consider this mini-review to be incomplete until I have a chance to try them in some cloud and gloom.In the hand, really nice - great balance, lighter than they look, felt quality and focus was silky. View is sumptuous - very easy walk-in with no hassles whatsoever, tack-sharp across almost all of the field, no rolling ball and an expansive FOV that recalled an ultra-modern 7x42 BGAT/P.Compared directly to my HT - HT looks a tad brighter if only because whites are whiter, SF a touch cream / warm. HT has a bit more contrast while SF has a bit more saturated colours, both great at suppressing glare. I am sticking with my HT but would say the SF has clear advantages in FOV and ease of view while I still think that [optically] the centre-field of the HT is more to my liking as I tend towards very clean whites and colour-neutral and I have yet to find a bin that is sharper or more contrasty.My other ''want'' bin that day was the Noctivid but I was surprised to learn that the dealer [Pelee Wings, one of Canada's leading bin retailer] will not stock them. The owner said they were too pricey for a Leica and there was no demand...hrrmph!</blockquote>