IGX

Swarovski EL 10x42

I don't claim any expertise in this area, but all I've ever used before are cheap Bushnells and the like. My guide had these in Brazil and they are a revelation. Bright, clear, gathers good light at dusk. They work with eyeglasses just fine.

They cost a mere $1900 or so.

So I got the Swarovski el 8.5x42.

Went to the store and tried Zeiss and Leica. Optics are pretty similar in quality --- they are all astounding --- so how they feel in your hands and the quickness you can get them to the eye and focused on target are paramount.

For me, it was no contest. Swarovski. The 10 power had less eye relief, so I went for the 8.5.

(A long "eye relief" is good for those of us who wear glasses. 13mm will work, but the 8.5s have 18mm. All the difference in the world.)

This is a tax deductible expense for me.

That ought to help with your 80 yd rifle shots.

Sackett wrote:That ought to help with your 80 yd rifle shots.

That's what I thought, but I can't figure how to load and fire these binoculars.

Did you try any Steiner's?

I tried Steiners, and they are very good, but the top level Zeiss, Leica and Swavorsi are much better.

Plus, Steiners have the rubber eye cup that is a pain if you wear glasses. Sure, the eye cups can be folded back, but they tend to get in the way every once in a while. Very poor eye relief on these.

Still, the optics are very good and they cost almost $1000 less than the top brands.

Here's some info on binocs. Scroll down for a chart with ratings, prices, specs....

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publicatio ... Binos.html

Can it see through my neighbor's curtains?

If she has them gauzy kind.