I know what you mean about the quality of Swarovskis. I bought an SLC style pair (7x30) somewhere in the late 80's or early 90's. I sent them in for service once and Swarovski replaced them with a new pair made in 1999. I still have that pair. They work really well and I'm spoiled.

Like you, I'd love to find a sweet spot on that quality curve with the newer binos. My Swarovski SLC binos can't compete with the newer Swaro EL's and I don't expect a mid range bino to either. What I am looking for is a mid-range bino that has a bigger objective that my Swaros and can perform in that last 15 minutes of dusk/twilight.

I PM'd a bit with OpticsCamp and he's sending a pair of 8x42's for me to test. I have a deer/bear hunt planned up North next week with a buddy and we'll be able to give them an honest test drive and evaluation. I've got a couple other hunting buddies who will probably want to try them out too.

I know what you mean about stargazers and birdwatchers--they do have a different set of requirements. In the treestand hunting for bear, I carry my binos in a backpack and honestly don't care if they weigh a little more or are bulkier while I'm just sitting in a treestand. For that price point, I'm willing to buy a pair of treestand binos. I've got another buddy who ranches a 1,000 acre cattle ranch surrounded by other cattle ranches and he wants me to go in on treestand hunting for coyotes and bobcats so i know I'll get some good use out of them.

It's funny that you should mention this cause I ran into one of DFG Wardens at work today while he was going over a case with one of our attorneys. Since the attorney, warden and I all hunt, we naturally took a small break and discussed good deer hunting spots the warden knows and a few hunting regs.

I asked about my understanding of the spotlights for non-game like coyote and he said it was correct--technically you have to either hold the light in your hand or wear it on your head but can't have it mounted on your gun. He then said he thought that was a little CS and in His opinion, wouldn't write somebody for that as they would be holding the rifle AND light in their hands.

It's kind of a "technicality" but I don't like taking those chances even if I do get long with the wardens and know some of them. I figure I can come up with a good way to hold the light in my hand or wear it on my head.

Somewhat echoing "edwardCVAmason" .... I have a set of Swarovski 8x40's that are now going on 20 years old. I bought these after a trip to eastern Montana to hunt mule deer where the economy 10x50 binos that I had at the time were just not up to glassing day after day, and trying to pick out details 1000 + yards out. Man my eyes were tired out every day. Thje guide had the top end Ziess. I was stunned at the difference. So ... for Christmas the next eyar my wife surprised me with an 8x40 Swarovski. These Swarovski's have done wonderful. And I ahve no complaints. A couple years later I won a set of Nikon 8X Venturers. Great bino for sure.

Last fall, I had the chance to view through Swarovski's latest top of the line 8x40. Good Lord ... what an improvement. But the MSRP ... wow! Certainly prohibitive for me these days.