I work in a Wildlife Science and Management Department in a University. We have >40 graduate students (more than half on a PhD program) and 12-15 faculty. Combined, our research focuses on almost any group of vertebrates, such as shorebirds, ducks, terns, cranes, ungulates, carnivores, songbirds, amphibians, reptiles, and so on. Of course, there is plenty of vegetation and inverts work too. Many of the people who answered the survey are also hunters or birders (and quite often both).
I recently sent an email to everyone in the department and asked them what kind of optics they are using, and whether the instruments were purchased with grant money.
Here are the results. "x" means that the instrument was purchased with grant money. x2 or x3 means that there are 2 instruments of that kind, respectively 3.
Leica Trinovid BN/BA 10x42, x3, x
Leica Ultravid 8x32
Swarovski SLC 10x42 x2
Swarovski SLC 8x30
Swaro EL 8.5x42, x2
Zeiss Classic 10x40, x3, xx
Nikon SE 10x42
Nikon SE 8x32
Nikon E2 10x35, x4, xxx
Nikon E2 8x30
Celestron ED 9.5x44
Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger 10x42 x3, xxx
Celestron Regal LX 8x42
Audubon Equinox 10x42, and 8x42
Nikon Monarch 8x42, x
Nikon Monarch 10x42, x2, x
Swift Kestrel 10x50, x2, xx
Scopes: Nikon Sky&Earth 80mm, x5, xxxx
Swarovski 80 mm, x4, xxx
Leica 80 mm, x3, xx
Optolyth 80 mm
Bausch and Lomb Elite 80 mm
A lot of ten power glasses, with the mid priced E2 10x35, edging out the older Zeiss Classic 10x40. Add the two Kestrels and that size and price point might constitute the median. Grant money is not necessarily going to the top of the line.
Happy nature observing,
Arthur Pinewood
That was fabulous Otto, you really went the extra mile for this one! My deepest thanks.
It looks like most of the mid-sized bins were 8x, and the big ones were 10x, exactly the way I'd pick.