Carl Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Binoculars

I tried a slug of $1K roof-prism binoculars simultaneously, and I think the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 is still the best for the money! I have been in the market for a good mid-range roof at about the $1K mark in either 8x32 or 8x42, so I ordered a bunch of them and compared them all together. To cut to the chase, I liked the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 the best overall. When I would compare them side by side, I would consistently be struck with the almost ungodly on-axis sharpness of the Zeiss and the overall brightness. The awesome optics combined with the best smoothest fastest focuser that you can use with one finger and the ergonomics and compact shape helped me make my decision to keep the Zeiss over all the other excellent binoculars. The Leica Trinovid 8x32 had beautiful saturated colors, but the FOV was narrower than any of the other binoculars and the eye cups were not long enough for the eye relief with my shallow eye sockets. The Vortex Viper HD 8x42 deserves "Honorable Mention" because it was the best binocular at its price point of $500, but it wasn't quite as sharp or as bright as the Zeiss and the focuser wasn't as smooth. The Vortex Viper HD 8x42 is a better binocular than the newer Nikon M7 8x42 or the Fujinon HC 8x42. If you can only spend $500, and you want a roof binocular, I would highly recommend it. The Fujinon HC 8x42 has terrible ergonomics with its square shape and almost all metal eye cups which are cold against your face on a cold day. The Meopta Meostar and Nikon MHG were middle of the pack. Good, but not as sharp as the Zeiss, especially on-axis. Of all the other binoculars I tried the Maven B1.2 8x42 was probably the closest optically to the Zeiss, but it wasn't quite as sharp on-axis, and it was heavy even for a 42 mm at 31 oz. and the focuser was tighter and not as smooth. Every time I went back to the Zeiss it would WOW me with its big bright FOV and extremely sharp, clear on-axis view. The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 is fairly light at 22 oz. and it is pretty small and compact in your hands, and the armour feels very comfy and warm. The eye cups are still stiff when you extend them, but if you leave them in one position it is not a problem. The objective covers work good, the rain guard fits well and works good, the case is one of the best and the strap is great. The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 looks tough, and it is. The build quality is excellent. It is an exceptional birding tool for $1K. I have had the Zeiss FL 8x32 and the Zeiss SF 8x32 and I don't feel they are worth twice the price of the Conquest HD for maybe 5% more performance. For $1K, the Zeiss Conquest HD IMO can't be beat. Here is a list of the binoculars I tried. I also have the Nikon E2 8x30 porro-prism and I think it is one of the best porro's you can buy, but that is another story! Kowa Genesis Prominar 8x33 Leica Trinovid HD 8x32 Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Vortex Viper HD 8x42 Nikon M7 8x42 Fujinon HC 8x42 Maven B1.2 8x42 Meopta Meostar B1 Plus 8x32 Nikon Monarch HG 8x42