Testers at the Cornell Lab give the highest ratings on all the subjective factors -- including "overall feel" -- to the Swarovski EL 8.5x42 binoculars (*est. $1,900) . The reviewers at 24HourCampfire.com agree; this model "stole the show in terms of ergonomics." A review at Optics4Birding notes, however, that the Swarovski EL binoculars are not as comfortable for people with large hands.

Leica Ultravid BR 7x42 binoculars (*est. $1,800) rank in third place at the Cornell Lab review, sharing the Zeiss Victory's perfect score for image quality, but ranking lower for close focus (11 feet) and eyeglass-friendliness. The Leica Ultravid 8x32 BR (*est. $1,600) model is described as "one of the best mid-sized, 8x32 binoculars we've ever seen" at Birdwatching.com. Overall, the Leica Ultravid binoculars get good reviews from other sources, including a "Best of the Best" award at Field & Stream, but they're top-rated a bit less often than the Swarovski EL binoculars, and much less often than the Zeiss Victory FL binoculars. The Leica Ultravid binoculars have no tripod socket.

Reports say that the Nikon Premier LX L (*est. $500 to $1,400) binoculars and Brunton Epoch (*est. $550 to $1,750) binoculars are challenging the top three brands. Experts add both series are not only good for eyeglass wearers, but focus very smoothly as well. Reviews give the Nikon Premier LX L series higher marks for image quality, but praise the Brunton Epoch binoculars for their innovative variable speed focus. For expeditions and other travel, the Brunton Epoch binoculars also offer an outstanding warranty, with quick replacement or loaner binoculars shipped anywhere in the world. The Nikon Premier LX L binoculars are priced slightly lower than the equivalent Brunton Epoch binoculars, and they get more uniformly positive reviews, especially when it comes to image quality. The Cornell Lab review rates Nikon's image quality higher than that of the Brunton Epoch binoculars, but not as high as Zeiss, Swarovski or Leica.

The Nikon Premier LX L 8x42 binoculars (*est. $1,000) are the unanimous 2005 Editor's Choice for full-size binoculars at Outdoor Life, which praises their "very clean, classic design." In a review published by Bird Watcher's Digest, birding binocular experts Michael and Diane Palmer report that "At our binocular trials, our judges wanted to try the new Nikons over and over again." The Nikon Premier LX L 8x42 binoculars carry a lifetime warranty (with $10 no-fault repair) and have nice lens caps but no tripod socket.

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