I spent some time birding with a borrowed Swift Audubon 8.5x44. The view was the sharpest I have ever seen but there is not way I want to tote a monster like that around all day. I read on BVD that they have something like the highest center resolution of anything he has tested. Does anything compare in my $600ish price range, besides probably the 8x32 SE?
Also, are there any websites or threads that compare measured resolution of different binoculars?
Just some comments:
Glad you had a chance to try the Swift Audubon 8.5x44. Presumably, you are talking about the porro prism model. It used to be that porro prism is the only version it came in; now there is a roof prism model. Some people may argue, but I think that the ED version of this binocular (about $400) has a touch more of resolution, but it may not always be noticeable. The porro prism Audubon, as you probably know, is very often recommended for those seeking "best" performance in the price range you cited.
The BVD review is pretty much dated, and the site has not been updated in a very long time. So, there must be a couple of other binoculars that are comparable. The Nikon SE's (8x32 and 10x42) surely are. I think that the Nikon 8x30 EII and 10x35 EII are. The Fujinon FMT-SX models are comparable; the only one that is less bulky than the Audubon is the 8x30; but these are individual-focusing models. These units cited, however, except for the 10x42, are of smaller objective lenses. I think that a 40 mm or larger is preferable.
Others more familiar with roof prism units under $600 might recommend comparably performing binoculars. I don't have experience with any that perform like the Audubon.
A possible source of information on measured resolution might be the Cloudy Nights Binoculars Forum.
I also have decided I can live without top-notch brightness if I can get a very sharp picture in a nice portable package.