I love this question - thank you for posing it
. One of the main lessons that I've learned from this forum is that each binocular is a compromise in some way or another. My eyes are more and more coming to understand that a particular binocular will often form a specific solution for a particular use case.
To name some appealing use cases that strike me:
-pocketable to take anywhere so even waiting for an appointment can be a birding opportunity,
-light weight but still big enough for ergonomic comfort,
-big enough EP for low light viewing,
-high mag for long distance viewing,
-low mag for soothing viewing etc.
This is a delicious thought-exercise in narrowing down preferred use cases. I find the usual instinct is to search for more and more use-cases which I can spend money on plugging. Via negativa - what if I had less? How freeing! (in theory)
a) So far in reality, my selections in gear have revealed that my preferences are for pocketablility (Curio) and for a hybrid of light weight/ergonomic comfort (8x32 NL).
b) I can imagine this hypothetical duo changing in future to Curio + 7x42 Habicht as the Habicht seems to have the light-weight+ergonomic comfort+low light advantage. (Lower AFOV I know, but I kind of find tunnel vision soothing. A small, exquisite portion dished up on a big plate, Michelin style).
c) Possibly in another life where I chose to always bring along a full powered binocular like some sort of samurai, the duo could shift to the 7x42 Habicht’s and the 12x42 NLs (for longer distance viewing, mounted on a hiking monopod which I would carry around like a Gandalf Staff on walks). But I really doubt it. The use case of incidental birding facilitated by pocket binoculars has given my life the greatest value add out of all of the options of compromise so far.
d) Maybe if they made a 7x42 Habicht with some sort of screw on ocular magnifier that turned the mag up to an optional 12x (if that is even possible?) - I could pair that with a Curio? Ticking the pocket, low light/low weight/ergonomic hold/low mag/high mag all at once?
My apologies for the length of this ramble.