I came at this via astronomy, and own several big porro prism models which although optically good, are completely unbirdworthy. I analyzed my choice of a decent and well priced daytime and birding binocular, and landed on an 8x42 Leica Trinovid BA, with which I am very pleased. Poor me, I am starting to think. I have noticed that while there are perhaps legitimate complaints about the Trinovid family for relatively high weight and cumbersomeness, they are thought to have very good optics, and there are quite a few enthusiasts here that dearly love their 8x32, 10x32, 7x42, 10x42, 8x50, 10x50, and 12x50. Heck, 8x20 and 10x25 even. But nay, not the 8x42, supposedly the best all-around specification.
8x42phobia runs similarly throughout other brands and product lines. Optofiles and hard core birders alike seem to avoid the 8x42 like the plague. Just change the power by a mere half to 8.5, as in the Swaro EL or the Swift Audubon, and people start to swoon and salivate.
So tell me please, experienced daytime observers, what gives? Does 8x42 seem less appealing merely because it is so well compromised, and it is therefore more fun to have say, an 8x32 and a 10x50, or maybe a 10x32 and an 8x50, instead of just one binocular? I can understand that. Or, is there really something "WRONG" with 8x42?
Ron
Your data points are probably skewed. The 8x42 (or similar) is likely the most popular configuration, in Leica and other brands. It's merits are readily apparent and certainly many (most?) on this site own or have owned a pair of them.
Now having said the above, I've never owned a pair of 8x42s!
I guess at any given time I've wanted less of one thing or more of another than what the 8x42s were offering, but I certainly won't offer myself up as any kind of bellwhether of binocular insight. I just know what I like.
I had a choice of either Trinovid 10x42 or 8x32 a few months back from an Ebay seller. I tried both for several days. I liked the 10x42 but finally sent it back even though the price was only $100 more than the 8x32 because of the extra weight.
Regards
Jim