Norm, I would always recommend the Swift Audubon's for the money they are a great buy. I own two pair and several other family members have pairs as well. I have noticed that there is a great deal of difference from one pair to the next ...in how well they hold up and even their performance new. So it might be worth it to somehow actually try the one you buy before buying a pair. There is a place above Cape May that I hear is excellent for allowing folks to experiment with various bins . My favorite pair of binoculars optically speaking are the new Nikon Superior Es ....I prefer the 8X32. These are marvelous binoculars ....they blow away my 8x42 Leicas and all the other brands as far I am concerned. I can't use them however, because the eye relief is too long and the eye cups are fold down rubber type. Most people who wear glasses have the opposite problem i.e. the eye relief is too short. So I would not rule these bins out for everyone who wears glasses but you should definitely try them before buying.Supposedly you can rig them using rubber bands but I found that too bothersome to deal with. The Nikon Superior Es are not waterproof and they are porro prisms. But really they are just so good . I had the opportunity last year at the Eastern Shore birding festival in Kipptopeake to compare the Superior Es Nikons against the new 10X 50 Swarovskis (sp???) and the new Nikon Venturra's both of which are roof prisms, both of which weigh nearly twice as much and did I mention they cost twice as much. I felt the 8 X 32 porro prisms out performed all of these expensive roof bins. The last time I checked Eagle Optics the Nikon 8 X32 were going for around $550. The Audubon Swift EDs are excellent....but for just another hundred dollars you can own the Superior Es. ..................... Thats my two cents............but everybody has a different opinion on binoculars....i really think that some bins just suit one person better than the next ....so you really have to try a lot of different pairs to really know what works best for you..... P.s. look up Better View Desired on the internet for some excellent articles and advice on optics... I believe the address is www.biddeford.com. but I would not swear to it..... William Leigh Winchester VA -----Original Message----- From: Norm Saunders <osprey@ARI.Net> To: mdosprey@ARI.Net <mdosprey@ARI.Net> Date: Monday, June 07, 1999 12:09 PM Subject: [MDOsprey] fwd: assistance with new bins 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