In light of $2, 300 8.5x SV ELs “selling like hotcakes” and the 10x50 and 12x50 SV ELs priced at $2,600, the “line in the sand” seems to have been moved for some consumers. So it’s time for us at OCPI to take a new Optics Consumer Price Index Poll.
Please chose from the following two responses about the price of alpha bins (by “alpha,” we are referring to high end roof prism binoculars made by Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, and Nikon). If you answer YES, skip questions 1-3.
YES, the “sky’s the limit,” I will keep buying alphas no matter how much they cost.
NO, I will draw the line when alphas hit a certain price point.
1. If your response was “NO,” where is the "price ceiling" for you?
$2,000 $2,500? $3,000? $3,500? Less? More?
2. When alpha prices exceed your price ceiling, will you hold on to your old alphas or buy other binoculars ?
3. If you responded “buy other binoculars,” please choose from the following:
(a) I will buy “old stock” or "demo" alphas.
(b) I will buy “pre-owned” alphas.
(c) I will buy second-tier roofs.
(d) I will buy premium porros.
(e) Other - write in your response.
Thank you for participating in our poll.
Brock, senior statistician, Optics Consumer Price Index (OCPI)
NO.
1) $1500.
2) Hold on to my old alphas AND buy other binoculars 
3) Most probably second-tier (ZR ED3, Meostar) OR demo alpha OR pre-owned alpha.
My FL 10x32 was roughly $1500 and pre-owned near mint condition. Can't see the need for anything better.
I consider a ZR ED3 7x43 and/or a Meostar 8x32, possibly a FL 8x32 if I find one with a very good price-performance ratio.
Thanks for your responses. I think we are beginning to see a trend here, but I will wait until all the surveys are in before tabulating the results on my statistical calculator.
Brock, OCPI