[MDOsprey] fwd: assistance with new bins

Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Mon, 7 Jun 1999 14:49:13 -0500 

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