After great debate, I finally picked a new set of binoculars. The process became somewhat complicated because there are so many choices in the 8x42 or 10x42 segment and because I feel into the trap of over analyzing. Frankly, I did a moderate amt of initial research in the beginning, comparing the Nikon Monarch III to the Leupold Roof Cascade and ended deciding to good up the quality food chain to the Leupold Pinnacles, sight unseen, mail order. Based on a call to Leupold, this was a superior coating and prism to the cascade, so I was confident they would be perfect. As noted in a previous thread, i quickly realized they were very nice but not a bit brighter than the Cascades and noticeably less bright than the Nikons in a side by side test in the last 5 min of light. I was shocked and disappointed. It was at this late stage I looked into the return policy at SWFA (yes, should have done that before I ordered). The policy says we reserve the right to charge resocking fees of up to 15%. At this point, I've returned the Pinnaces and have a credit with swfa. If i spend equal or more, no fees, I'm just out $35 in total shipping costs three ways. Full refund equals $95 out of pocket but they may work with me for a better outcome, don't know yet. They were very friendly so we'll see. I was told the fee is to cover credit card fees, which legally, is prohibited by regulations. Masking it as a restocking fee is probably fine as long as you don't say it is "really to cover cc fees", lol.
Anyway, here is the punch line. I purchased (not from swfa) the 10x42 Bushnell Legend Ultras. After making direct comparisons to the new monarchs, Pinnacles, Cascades and the Legend Ultras (and my old beloved porros), I was shocked at the clarity and brightness of the bushnell. The product does not carry a "name brand" I was interested in but to my eyes and in both low light and normal light, the Legends were absoluately top. They were most close to the new nikons in low light performance with their new dialectic coatings but the Legend Ultras had noticeably better edge to edge clarity, they were slightly but noticeably more bright in very low light conditions and had a sharpness and image quality that was definately superior to the nikon. The others were generally excluded from consideration (the two leupolds) in side by side comparisons b/c of the inferior low light performance which was important to me.
I still have my friends 10x42's, the ones I used in the comparison but ordered my own pair yesterday. I also intend to order a second pair in the 8x42 series (or possibly the 8x36). The reason, I intended to spend about $500 but found the bushells provided all the performance i wanted at less money that I intended to spend, so I thought it would be nice to have two. I never thought I'd find a pair i liked as much as the beloved Porros but i have. I did give some consideration to the zen ed2 and viper for which I would have only gotten one pair in 8x42, which woudl have been fine, but i could not put them in my hands to compare without further incurring costs on top of the costs associated w/ the Pinnancles. I suspect either of them would have been great but the legends are impressive optically. How they hold up in other ways, only time will tell. Thanks to all of you for the help.
You're welcome, rdfish1. I'm glad your quest is finally over. Now go and wear them out birdwatching and let us know about your life list getting longer.