From: "Andy Rabin" <andyrab@wam.umd.edu> To: "mdo" <mdosprey@ARI.Net> Subject: assistance choosing new binocular Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 10:49:25 -0400 Dear birders, I am thinking about maybe possibly getting a new binocular. Most of the models that I really would like to have are out of my price range. However, there are a couple that are more 'reasonably' priced that might suit my needs just fine. They are the Swift Ultralite 8x42 and the Swift Audubon 8.5x44. I am somewhat familiar with both of them and their specs, their inherent advantages and disdvantages, but have not used either extensively in the field, which is where you really get to know your binoculars. If anyone has had an opportunity to compare them or use one or the other over a long period of time, I would love to hear what your thoughts are. Also, if anyone has an informed opinion about how these two models compare with their more expensive counterparts (Ultralite 8x44ED and Audubon 8.5x44ED) I am interested in hearing what you think. Are the optics and weatherproofing (in the Audubon) ED versions worth the extra money? I know that the conventional wisdom is to get the best binoculars you can afford and that my own hands and eyes will be the best judges. With that in mind, are the Audubons and/or Ultralites binoculars that I will be satisfied with for a very long time, or would it be wiser to hold off until I can get the really good ones? Thanks a bunch for anything you can contribute. Andy Rabin Gaithersburg, MD =============== Norm Saunders Colesville, MD osprey@ari.net