I am in love with my new EIIs. That said I am afraid to look at them to hard and knock a prism askew. Just how fragile is this design? How about other designs like the SEs, Swifts, older Zeiss, etc? I am not perticularly rough on bins but I also don't want to always leave my best image behind because it might be jarred.
Robert,
I can't speak to the durability of the EII's, but can offer some thoughts with respect to the Swifts. I have a pair of the original Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 804R's which I purchased nearly 25 years ago. They are my only pair, and have been used daily. They have been with me all over the continent, and have seen the harshest conditions any binocular could right here in Montana where I live. Admittedly, I am careful with my equipment, but at the same time they get used. They have never failed me. I have never had a problem with them mechanically, although on occasion they have been known to fog up internally (Ambient temp. -40!) The view through them is one of the best. Not bad for a initial investment of $169.00! Unfortunately, they have began to produce some eye-strain and I suspect they are slightly out of collimation. Although I would like to have them repaired, I have decided to replace them. You can bet it will either be a Swift or Nikon porro. I hope you enjoy your EII's as much as I have my Swifts.
Ted
I am an avid birdwatcher since the 1970s. For 25 years i have used a pair of individual focus Zeiss. They were a WW 2 relic. They only fogged once, and they are still very sharp and bright. Since 1995 i have used a Zeiss Dekarem 10x50 for birdwatching and working. I have also used a pair of Swift Kestrel 10x50 for collecting data on shorebirds for two years. These binoculars were used on daily basis on some of the harshest conditions imaginable. I did take care of all my binoculars. The Zeiss is slightly out of allignment, but the Kestrel is ok.
Durability is not an issue with porros if they are properly built, but some are built stronger than others. Old Zeiss, Swarovski, Swift, are among the toughest. Also, Hensoldt and I.O.R., but they are military style individual focus. I suspect Nikons are tough too.
It is not the construction type (porro vs. roof) that matters, but the built quality. If they were designed and built strong, then there will be no issues.
Don't worry about the EII. Just don't drop them, and don't use them as a sledge hammer or as an anvil. Of course, scuba diving is not an option either. I know of a pair of EII that has worked hard with 2 graduate students in wildlife, for about 4 years. They did not care of it, but it is as new. I will use it this spring in NM.