On Sun, Apr 17, 2011 at 12:16 AM, Stan Halpin <[email protected]> wrote: > Based on limited experience and what I have read (and heard from birders), > some of what you get for more money is a more solid durable build (the very > top end have 25 year or lifetime no-questions-asked warranties), waterproof > fog free construction, multi-coating on inner as well as outer lens surfaces, > superior ergonomics (comfortable to hold, smooth focus adjustment, solid > diopter setting that doesn't accidentally move, good eye relief for those who > wear glasses), less color distortion, less distortion of other kinds. With > only brief experience with better binocs, I can easily tell the difference > between the low-end casual user type and a more expensive pair, both in the > feel and the quality of the image. I suspect that the difference between a > $500 pair and a $2250 pair may be less dramatic.
Stan, You're certainly on the right track with your comments. My DCF HR II 8x42's are a compact, rubber coated metal design as are Jim's DCF SP 8x43's. I think Jim's are SPecial glass and lighter metal. Eye relief and relative brightness are also similar, and were critical issues in my choice. I believe that Pentax now offers a polycarbonate body for a bit less cost (and lighter). I was happy to buy my second pair thru an ebay auction. The introduction of the polycarbonate frame made the Pentax offerings rather confusing at the time - DCF HR's (High Res), DCF HR II's, DCF SP's, then polycarbonate bodies, and all in competition with the older/cheaper PCF lines. Regards, Bob S. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
