...and won't you all be surprised!
Well, in reality I am down to two binocular of the same size but different makes. I decided to go after one facet of binoculars that has always appealed to me but seemed a waste of money, a wast until I actually gazed through a pair at least.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have decided to try on a pair of 10x25s! I was determined to try every 10x until I found one I could hold stable and do you know which one it was? The Leica Ultravid 10x25s! That pair of 4.5" long tubes connected by that little bridge let me swallow them up into my hands for a nice steady view. The more I played with them the more I liked the idea of them being mine.
My only concern at this point is the field of view. About 5.15 (270' @1000yds) degrees compared to the three competitors at around 5.4 (285ish feet). This leads me to also considering the Swarovski Pocket 10x25, in green of course. The downside of the Swarovski is the close focus of 16 feet.
I ruled out the Zeiss Victory compacts due to the hinge design, they just don't fold down as nice as the others. I also ruled out the Nikon Premier 10x25 for two reason, the bulk of the bridge (small negative) and the distateful way Nikon expands the barrels to swallow the 25mm lenses (for $400 I want them to look less like and afterthought, big negative). I am really disaspointed that the Nikon looks that way because the price is better than the Leica and Swarovski and the specs are first rate.
Regarding the vaunted Swarovski warranty. While they would be willing to do anything to ensure these last forever, it seems the Compacts are still serviced only in Austria and there is a 4 to 5 month wait if service is required. I don't know about that yet.
I also found the Leicas focus know to be the easiest to use which would make using this compact very easy for a lot of birding. If I can't decide whether I need the slightly wider fov or not I would just as readily try a pair in the 8x20s. I would buy from Eagle Optics so I could play for 30 days to make absolutely sure or take them back and try something else.
Buying a compact would also still leave budget room for a Sky and Earth scope, big plus, and would be something that is useful my entire life. Even if and when I can afford a $1500 pair there will still be a place for compacts.
[QUOTE=RobConnel]
...The downside of the Swarovski is the close focus of 16 feet.
... Regarding the vaunted Swarovski warranty. While they would be willing to do anything to ensure these last forever, it seems the Compacts are still serviced only in Austria and there is a 4 to 5 month wait if service is required. I don't know about that yet.
[/QUOTE]
Rob,
My first quality binoculars were 10x25 SLCs, and they are always with me. First, the short focus is really better than 16 ft. Mine are more like 12-13'. Second, mine were recently overhauled and all the work was done in the USA. One barrel had a small leak after 12 yrs. of constant use. They were completely disassembled, cleaned, new gaskets installed, collimated and sent back in about 4 wks. Oh, yes, the rubber eyecups were replaced. I can't recommend the Swaro 10x25 more highly, — and they can be held steady as a rock as you've discovered.
Enjoy the view whatever you do,
Elkcub
Thanks elkcub.