I agree whole-heartedly with Mary about the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 porro.
The sharp image this binoc gives you matches or exceeds that of all
higher-priced binocs I have tested in A-B comparisons (at optics sales
tents.)  I still use the old Model 804.  The newer design (still porro
prism) is the 820, or with ED glass, the 820ED.  (There is also a Swift
Audubon 8.5x44 roof prism version.  I have no experience with this one.)

The Vortex Viper HD 8x42 roof, another mid-priced binoc, is reportedly
also very good.  I'd like to test it against my Swift for center-of-field
resolution.

I've been told that the reason Swift binocs are seldom reviewed is that
the company does not respond to requests for optics for testing.

Bruce

Date sent:              Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:15:26 -0400
Send reply to:          Mary <[log in to unmask]>
From:                   Mary <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:                [Ohio-birds] Optics
To:                     [log in to unmask]

> I'm always dismayed by the fact that no one seems to consider the Swift
> Audubon 8.5x44's.  They don't get reviewed, they don't get noticed and the
> ED's which I have had forever are my favorite binocular hands down.  I
> think I like them better than my Swarovski's.  I actually bought a second
> pair just to have in reserve in case they quit making them.  Besides their
> WFOV and brightness which are excellent I LIKE PORRO's.  Another point of
> sadness is that there are almost no porro's anymore.  I like something
> wide across my chest as opposed to dangling all long on it, maybe because
> I'm not tall.  Even as a woman with medium sized hands I find clutching
> roof's tend to feel cramped.  These porro's have a nice size barrel as far
> as I'm concerned.  Can't recommend these enough.  LOVE THEM.
> http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swift/swift-audubon-8-5x44-ed-porro-
> prism-binocular
>
> Mary, Dayton/Fairborn
>
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