Needs more work?! - Leupold BX-4 McKinley HD 10X42mm Roof Black

The Leupold McKinley BX-4 #119282 have become available this 4th quarter of 2014. It is an updated version of the original BX-4 McKinley #117790 that were revamped earlier this year. Leupold states the optics are the same, but changes incorporated are a more ergonomic armor coating, slimming down of the eyepieces and integrating a locked diopter adjustment in front of the focus wheel. These could be nice ergonomic advances, but did they achieve these improved results? Well, my new BX-4 10x42mm's are a mixed bag of Yes's and No's.

Pros:
*Eyepieces are nicely slimmed down.
*Armor Coating is not as thick as original BX-4's (#117790), yielding better ergonomic handling.
*Diopter adjustment dial is set in front of the focus dial, with a lock tab to maintain the setting...works well.
*Large focus dial is smooth and precise.
*Immersive 3D FOV depth.
*Accurate color renditions.
*Large interpupillary adjustment settings.
*Overall, they feel a little lighter and more compact than the bulkier original BX-4's.

Cons:
*Eyepieces have soft setting detents...need awareness for equal L\R adjustments. Found max adjustments not enough for my eyes to get an easy-on-the-eye FOV...needed to be deeper.
*Optical issues (to my eyes)! Overall, again (as in 117790's) I was unable to achieve a "Tack Sharp" focus compared to my beloved Leupold BX-3 Mohaves. Bright day light, afternoon shadows or dusk low light visibility (30 mins after sunset), the 119282's were better than I remember the 117790's, but the BX-3's are a step up in resolution and sharpness over both.
*I was unimpressed with the new BX-4 "Low Light" capacity. My BX-3's gave me an extra 9 minutes more of sharp details as dust turned to dark.
*I was unimpressed with the "Field-Flattening" feature of these new BX-4's. For me, I could detect a slight fish-eye effect when panning side to side or up and down. My BX-3's have a more stable edge to edge image that appears to maintain field flattening and sharpness out to 95% of their FOV, (overall 10% wider than I found on the BX-4's).
*I had issues setting the BX-4's to achieve a quick and proper "Field of View". I found a very narrow range of overall settings to get these binoculars up and on target...had to be precise or no-go for me. My BX-3's seem to be a lot more tolerant and forgiving, allowing me to get a sight picture quickly and accurately!
*Note: BX-4's are made in China...BX-3's are made in Japan.

I'll be returning these BX-4's. May have been just my eyes and others may find these great. I feel the BX-3's are still the better value and truly -The Sweet Spot- in the Leupold Binocular line up!