hi everyone, just thinking about all the hassle you go through when choosing new bins.dont you ever think that when you've made your decision your new purchase would just last you for the rest of you birding lifetime.i'd nominate the leica trinovids bn 8,42 which i was lucky to own a couple of years back,wish i still had em.as much as i love birding i,ve never really been preocupied by binoculars. matt [still not a proper birder].
Matt,
For me, my "lifetime" binoculars would be these 3 (in this order):
Leica Trinovid BN 7x42
Nikon HG 8x32
Nikon HG 10x25 Compact
Still own all 3 - won't be selling them either... they just mean too much to me. Unlike yourself, I would describe myself as being somewhat preocupied by binoculars - I currently own 9 pair of high-end binoculars, and 7 or 8 cheap-o pairs. Yeah, I'm a "binocuholic"... I like them almost as much as I like the birds I view through them! 
Best wishes,
Bawko
Matt,
I wish I could have afforded a pair of Leica Trinovids back in the early 80's. They would be nicely worn by now... and I probably wouldn't be so interested in modern optics now.
Ilkka