I sent my reply directly to the sender but now that I'm seeing that everyone else is replying to the list I thought that perhaps I should too, in case someone else is interested in this thread. So, sorry to Andy the original poster for the duplication... Hi - I haven't used the 8x Swift Ultralights but I do have a pair of 10x. In terms of what you can see with them I think they're marvelous - sure, when I look through somebody's Leicas or Svarovskis they definitely look better, but these have served me well for several years now. I am saving up my money for one of those expensive pairs because of the construction of the Swifts - the barrels unscrew and so moisture can get on the prisms, and they also can get out of alignment because of this barrel-unscrewing construction. But I'm saving up the money very slowly! because these really are perfectly fine. Lisa --------- 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 ===== Original Message from mdosprey@ARI.Net at 6/07/99 3:49 pm >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