When only the best will do - Zeiss Victory FL 10x32mm Schmidt-Pechan Binoculars

I use these for birding and general use. The view through these binos is like somehow magically you are placed 10 times closer to the object. You have no feeling of "looking" through something, you just are there. Brightness, color fidelity, large depth of field, contrast (the image pops ), non eye fatiguing, sharpness, eye relief (16mm ! ), ruler flat field, every optical term you can think of is simply superb. The mechanics are also top flight. Balance and weight are spot on, and the focus wheel is like butter. Not too light, not to stiff, and it doesn't change with the temperature. Spin it fast and you go from near to far very quickly. Then with a very small movement you can fine focus. The included strap has a nice padded section for your neck. The objective covers are teathered and the ocular one piece cover is held by both sides of the strap, not one side like a lot of other binos. I really can't find one negative thing about these binos. You get a great warranty from Zeiss and with normal care will last many lifetimes. Sorry if this sounds like I work for Zeiss ( I don't ) but these are IMHO the best there is. Yes they are expensive, but you get what you pay for, and if you're into optics like me they're well worth it.