I have recently checked out the Swarovski 7x42slc and 8x30slc, along with the Leica 8x32bn and 8x42bn. I have also looked at the Leica Ultra 8x42. I am trying to choose the best all around binocular. I'll be using them for various activities and am looking for the best multi-purpose. Any comments?
[QUOTE=Justin]I have recently checked out the Swarovski 7x42slc and 8x30slc, along with the Leica 8x32bn and 8x42bn. I have also looked at the Leica Ultra 8x42. I am trying to choose the best all around binocular. I'll be using them for various activities and am looking for the best multi-purpose. Any comments?[/QUOTE]
If you want to watch dragonflies and other insects, then you really want at least 3m close focus, and preferably 2.5m. If you want to use them in more extreme lighting conditions, then you need an 8x42 (or 7x42) roof prism (or Nikon 8x32 SE which to my eyes is as bright as 8x42 roofs). If you wear eye glasses, then you really need at least 15mm eye relief.
Mid-sized roof prism bins are compact and light, at the expense of resolution and brightness, thus they are not so good in dark woods and at dawn and dusk. I see a lot about, so they are clearly very popular. You have to ask yourself whether you really need compact and light at the expense of the optics. Mid-sized roof prism bins tend to have less eye relief than a full-sized instrument. They also have smaller exit pupils which makes it a little harder to align the opical axes with your eyes.
Full sized roof prism bins are heavier and bulkier, but in my opinion the extra weight is not significant unless it exceeds ~800g. (That of course is a subjective judgement on my part.) They will be more useful in low light, and will resolve more detail, which is noticeable when for example observing in a hide.
It is very important how binoculars feel in your hands and how comfortable you feel using them. The shape of the eye tubes might not match your face, or you might find the materials used for the armour unpleasant. They might be too heavy for you, or you might have big hands, and find a small binocular fiddly to use. Or you might find the focus too coarse, or too fine. The Leica 8x42 BN always gets rave reviews, but to me it has the ergonomics of a brick! I suspect I have smaller than average hands. I hated the original Zeiss 8x40 Victory due to the small lugs at the side of the eyepieces. This 'fault' has been rectified in the Zeiss 8x40 Victory II.
The Swaro 8.5x42 EL and the Leica Ultravid 8x42 combine class leading optics with good ergonomics, and modest weight, although the Swaro has a rather fine focus that some do not like. The Nikon 8x42 HG has a bit too much chromatic aberration for my tastes, but is a fine instrument, despite being a bit of a fatso. The Zeiss 8x40 Victory II does not seem to get as much attention as the others, but it has excellent optics, and is noticeably lighter, and a bit cheaper too.
In short, try them for yourself, preferably at a specialist dealers with viewing facilities i.e. an open window through which you can observe birds with a selection of bins.
Justin,
From your choices I believe the best all rounder will be the leica 8x42 ultravid.This binocular is light,fits well in the hand and gives a bright image.
The swaro 7x42 is a bit heavier, has an excellent f.o.v. and resolution but sometimes 7x just isn't enough mag' unless backed up with a scope.
The 8x30 i've never tried.
The leica 8x32 is a great wee binocular.I use one and chose it over the 8x42 as it was much lighter , fitted my hands better, gave as good,if not better ,view.Although I chose it as my 2nd pair as I had already had swaro 10x42els.
The swaro 8x32el is also a cracker of a binocular, you really have to try it to believe it.
Tom.