Jerry-- Oops!

I just noticed that you were looking at the ones with
ED glass. Jim tells me ED glass is more likely to shatter
if you drop them..Idon't know about that as a consideration,
but the difference in the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 ED and
the ones without the ED glass, is supposed to be only
4 per cent. Most people can't see that difference.

My neighbor bought both ED and non-ED bins for himself
and his wife. (Actually he bought the ED's for him and
the regular ones for her.) We went down to the lake
and spent a half hour looking at Mallards in bright
sunlight and concluded there was little if any difference
in the two binoculars..we also concluded that the reason
wasn't that the ED's weren't very good, but that the low
end bins were SO GOOD that they simply crowded up really
close to the ED's.. recommendation still stands..
buy the low end Swifts and put a couple hundred in your
pocket..they'll do just fine.

Tom


On Thu, 11 Dec 1997, Tom Foote wrote:

[snip..]>
>
> I > have been considering the Celestron 9.5x44 ED. Has
> anyone heard anything > good or bad about them. Any input would be very
> much appreciated. I have > also considered the Audubon Swift 8.5x44 Ed,
> but they are $100.00 more, > gotta stop some place. > > Thanks Jerry
> Converse
>
> Jerry--
>
> My friend Jim the photographer, who really has studied
> binoculars and lenses just informed me yesterday that
> he decided to purchase the 8.5x44 Swift Audubons..he
> said, after his exhaustive search of what's available
> that they are far and away the best bang for your buck.
> they are not the best bins available, but they are
> they are the best available in their price range. Jim tells me
> they have been redesigned and are noticeably lighter
> than they used to be. They are porro prism and quite
> dependable...definitely worth the additional $100..
> Mail order houses have them for $220 + shipping..
> youshould be able to get in for around $230.00..and
> it's good glass. You might see if you can get someone
> local to match the mail order price.
> Jim also says Swift has a really good guarantee.
>
> Tom
>
>