Gentleman,
After recently purchasing a very inexpensive Celestron Ultima DX for the measely sum of $99 and finding the view quite extraordinary for the price I am now left with the desire to explore more of the porro prism market. I have owned the Nikon 8x32 SE, 8x30 and 10x35 E2, 7x35 E, the Leupold Yosemite 6 and 8x30, Cascade 8x42 and the Nikon Action and Action EX 7x35s. I just read an interesting discussion on some of the Swift models and a comparison with the Nikon SE series. What other little porro gems are out there that deserve some exploration?
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Orion Optics (www.telescope.com) still sells some "birding" porros under their own name. I have no idea the quality, but people seem to like their large bins for star gazing.
The Swift Audubon 820ED 8.5x44 isn't inexpensive, but the optics are pretty nice if the eye cups fit your face.
I've had long term exposure to a very inexpensive pair of Bushnell Falcons - dreadful. The lenses seem to degrade over the years and go fuzzy.
One of the problems I have with many of today's porros is that that bridge piece which holds the eyepieces/oculars usually seems to be made out of some engineered plastic and it flexes. Since this is the piece that moves in and out to focus I would think one would want it to be as rigid as possible.