Tyler, thanks....I will think about the focusing, but right now I am siding towards the Leica, although I may wait a bit before I "spring" for it. I did not find the Swarovski as clear for me, perhaps because of the eye relief???? I dunno...it just didn't seem as clear as the Leica. We started with a junk telescope, went to a Meade and Discoverer. Norm upgraded to a Questar many several years ago and I went for the Kowa. I would go for Kowa again, if only because I could transfer my lenses, saving some critical $$$$$, but.....I just can't see myself going for the plastic body. Heavy knows, "I" would be the one with a first class crack within six months. A pity, that. BTW, Tyler, public thanks for all the wonderful help you gave us before we left for the Rio Festival. The help we received from you and the wonderful people in Harlingen really made this trip the success it was! Fran -------------------------------- Fran Saunders Web Site Director Maryland Ornithological Society Baltimore, Maryland webmaster@mdbirds.org http://www.MDBirds.org