Also I have to wonder if the author really checked out the Nikon 800. because he says the optics are not clear and the Nikon 800 was dark with it's 8x optics...... Well, you see, the Nikon 800 does not have 8x optics. The optics of that model are 6x21mm. And to tell the truth, I can't say I have ever seen a dark Nikon product.
Then you haven't checked out the Nikon 800. I use one everyday and it is definitely handicapped in low light conditions, especially if there's any rain in the air. I found it to be barely useable on my reindeer hunt last month. I couldn't aquire a target with it at less than 60 yards on several occasions. I still like it and I still use it but it has limitations and light gathering, clarity and target aquisition are some of them.