I don't subscribe so I haven't read it but it sounds interesting ....
Then and now
What our latest optics test revealed about a quarter century of binoculars and birdwatching
Contributed by Pete Dunne
Published: October 22, 2010
http://www.birdersworld.com/Our%20C...0and%20now.aspx
quote:
Contributing Editor Pete Dunne describes how birding binoculars have changed since the Cape May Bird Observatory conducted its first optics test more than a quarter century ago. Not only do birdwatchers have more models to choose from, Dunne writes, but binoculars in the $100-$300 price range today beat the pants off all the items tested in 1984.