After 4 nights on the road I returned home this afternoon through Millersburg and stopped at Time and Optics to talk with Robert Hershberger and his mother (who started the shop many years ago). I looked through several models (Vortex, Nikon, Eagle & Leupold) and power combinations (8x42, 10x42, 8.5x43). My max price was ~$500. The ones that impressed me most were the 8x42 Vortex Viper ($529) and a pair of 8x42 Leupold ($409) - I did not notice the model because I did not even consider them in my research - might have been Pinnacles. I was fortunate that the afternoon was dreary and rainy because without the limited light I could have been happy with either one. The Leupold felt lighter but it could just have been the design. Both had a similar field of view when I compared them against a distant fence line. However, when I really focused on some lichen attached to a fence post about 20 yards away it was obvious to me that the Vortex Viper was brighter and gave more detail of my 'target'. I went back-and-forth many times until I was convinced. Robert finally became non-committal and agreed that I had observed correctly. Just for 'grins and giggles' I looked through a pair of Leica's ($1,800) and Swarovski ($3,000). Yes, they were both brighter but not $1,000 - $2,000 brighter to me (to someone else with the budget they probably are!). Anyway, the icing on the cake is the incredible warranty from Vortex. Thanks to all who helped me make this decision. The take-away from all this . if you are going to spend more than $100 go somewhere where you can compare side-by-side. Then pray for a dreary day! Robert said that if it were bright and sunny I would not have been able to discern the difference between them. Regards, Matt Valencic Chagrin Falls, OH ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]