Buy these ! - Zeiss Special Binoculars 8x30 B/GA I.F. Safari

I split my time 80/10/10 between Africa, Europe, and the US respectively. I travel a great deal on each continent and often through rough country. All of my gear receives similarly rough treatment and is actually depended upon quite heavily. In other words, I purchase anything of quality to actually "use and abuse" and not to "show off". Given that, these binoculars are probably the best combination of durability, style, and function that I have ever seen in quality glass. The clarity is more than impressive and easily equals or surpasses Leica or Swarovski glass often costing much more. The light gathering is also surprisingly good for binoculars of this size. On most relatively compact binoculars, this sacrifice of light gathering is a price one willingly pays but these really require no major compromise that I can tell (I am 38 years old however, so maybe my own pupil doesn't open up like it used to and is keeping me from perceiving a shortcoming here?). In any case, I get a sense of extreme durability with these binoculars that is quite absent in offerings from the other two high-dollar makers. Swarovski, for example, makes nothing anywhere near this price point that exudes this aura of quality. I have no doubt I will be handing these Zeiss binoculars down to my children and that they will thank me for choosing quality equipment so many decades before.

My single (and extremely minor) complaint with Zeiss is that they do not ship these binoculars with a clam-shell case of some sort. Admittedly, such an item would be somewhat redundant given the integrated lens covers coming with this model. However, with a $1300 set of optics, I want something I can put it in so I don't beat up the rubber armoring having them thrash around my carry-on bag. That minor issue aside...if you want good quality glass that is also seemingly indestructible, BUY THESE!
Pros: Durability, Style, Value,
Cons: No Case?

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.