I would appreciate any input as I attempt to "buy the best binoculars I can afford." I don't really like the idea of buying Chinese so these are the contenders from least to most expensive:

Zeiss Conquest 8x30 B T* (demo)
- big gap-
Minox HG 8x33 (argon purged)
Leupold Golden Ring HD 8x42 (made in US-- IF I can find them)
Zeiss Conquest 8x40 B T* (Abbé-Konig prisms, demo)
Nikon Premier 8x42 (refurbished)

Close focus and weight are not of particular concern. What I really need to improve is brightness.

Thanks,
Gregory Bennett
Akron OH

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