Cameras and Lenses
Top Bins v the mid range
If you read BF and you are on a limited budget you would get the feeling that unless you are in the market for Zeiss FLs (let all genuflect), Leica Ultravids (I am not worthy), Swaro ELs and Nikon HGs you shouldn't bother because these are SSSSSOOOOO far better than anything else (ok Nikon SE fans be quiet!!) its not worth bothering buying.
Indeed ask for a recommendation and your thread will get one or two replies. Ask for a top end bin and the world and his dog jumps in
I thought Captain Viallo's comment was interesting when he said that if it wasn't for snob value he would sell his Leica Trinovids and buy the Helios AM6's and pocket £400.
Would it be fair to say the that the differences you lot are discussing on that Zeiss FL are at best fairly small ? I suspect most folks wouldn't notice them in the field.
Would it also be fair that if we are talking pure value for money here Bins like the Opticron Verano's, RSPB, Bushnell Legends, etc and the in-store brands from in-focus and Ace represent much better value for money. Unless you really really want that extra fraction of performance or you are a snob or have more money than sense (looks down at feet and whistles knowingly 
) the above are really the sensible choices.
Ok as someone who uses "top" equipment I know that in really bad light they do help. But the point I'm making in a long winded round about sort of way is that if you can't afford the "top" bins don't worry about it. The quality in the £200-£400 market is now so good that in 95% of situations you won't notice any difference.
Anyone care to tell me I'm barking mad?
I think you could be right Pete. I bought my wife a pair of In Focus Delta bins for her birthday a couple of years ago at a cost of £400 and they are excellent. They are light, the image is bright and they focus much closer than my Zeiss 8x56. I often use them to look at Butterflies. I changed my Swaro scope a few months ago and bought the new Swaro and I will change my bins next year. Will I buy a pair of Deltas?. No I will probably buy a pair of Swaro ELs.
Well said Pete. I don't have much opportunity to try others bins, leading a lonely sheltered life as I do, but I've compared my Opticron 8x42 BGAs against Leicas (older ones, not the Ultravids) and haven't felt I was missing out. I've one or two minor grumbles about the design but these are very minor. Otherwise they are clear, bright, detailed, wide field of view, close focusing, waterproof. They really aren't lacking in anything practical that a birder could want. And just 300 notes from Warehouse Express too (at least for the old models).