My Conquest HD 8x32 arrived late this afternoon... just in time to catch the late afternoon feeding frezney :-O (how we term it) that takes place in the desert behind our house. Cardinals, Cactus Wrens, Curve Billed Thrashers, House Finches, Towhees, Doves, Quail, rabbits, chipmunks, and an assortment of other birds that I have yet to learn the names of.
Initial impressions... they are a little on the large side for 8x32, however, the view is a veritable twin to what I have been enjoying with my Conquest HD 10x42 for the last week or so. The glass, coatings, prism, etc. must be identical (aside from the difference in magnification and objective size) as the "look" and "feel" of the bins are essentially brotherly. Obviously, the "family" of Conquest HD bins is quite wonderful indeed, particularly at the price point. Practically "alpha" in many ways at such a great price!
In comparison to the Vortex Viper HD 8x32's that I have, the "visual" is clearly superior with the Conquest HD 8x32's; brighter, crisper, cleaner, clearer. Not that the Vipers weren't nice, because they truly are nice. But the Conquest HD 8x32 renders a noticeably "nicer" visual result. Therefore, the Vipers are going to be returned to the vendor. In the Viper's defense, I will say that they are very well built, handle well, give a very good visual, and are smaller and lighter weight than the Conquest HD 8x32. There is a lot to like about the Vipers. But the look through the glass is definitely better with the Conquest HD. The price to pay is a slightly larger size and slightly heavier weight... and a few extra bucks!
Were I not analytically anal about these matters (like a few of my fellow posters here), I would be thrilled to have and keep these Conquest HD 8x32's and be DONE with looking.
However, I'm still motivated to compare and anaylze! I will venture to my local Cabelas to compare the Conquest HD 8x32 to the Cabela Euro HD 8x32. And, if they have one in stock (unlikely) to a pair of Zeiss Victory FL 8x32's. (I've ruled out Leica 8x32's for wonky focuser wheel, small eyecups, and just "not feelin' the love".)
I believe that in the end, I will retain these Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 bins. If I never compared to another pair of bins again, I KNOW I would be exceptionally pleased with the performance of these 8x32 HDs. Zeiss has produced a great product, at a great price, that meets needs exceptionally well, without draining the wallet "alpha style". The question is whether I can overcome my nature to continually seek out and compare to better, more costly options. :-C At this point, however, there isn't much else that I am interested in comparing to... Cabelas Euro HD 8x32, Victory FL 8x32, or Swaro Swarovision 8x32.
For the money, the smart move would be to stick with the Conquest HD 8x32's and get on with enjoying my life with two pair of Conquest HD's: 10x42 and 8x32.