If these were waterproof/fog proof and robust , I'd pay 600 plus. I love my Maven 7x28 C.2 but the clarity is just so good on the Papilio 2 even for distant viewing. To me these honestly feel more like an 8 plus times magnification for medium to far viewing. Image is incredibly steady. Porro Prism just always looks so good to me. The experiences I am having seeing insects up close to being able to Bird in an instant just make these worth everything. Summer travellers dream.

I have owned a pair of these binocs for a few years and I chose them as a gift because I love my own and knew the person I was getting them for would get a lot of use out of them. These get my rave reviews and the recipient of the gift has definitely raved about them to me so this is actually TWO rave reviews.

This is one amazing binocular! In my collection of 8, it does something the others can't and that is close focus. If you've ever wanted to study the macro world with binoculars...this is your tool. Highly recommended!...Brian

Product arrived well packed. Was sealed. Item works great, feels good in hand and very happy with product and service

These are another pair that I purchased from B&H Photo(a great company) to purchase from. Wow, I couldn't believe how close up these binos can do. None of my other binos can get close to what these little guy's can do. These binos are a must for insect,flower's, & bird's. I wouldn't be without these in my bino collection. I simply love them.

Fantastic for looking at insects and birds, and can quickly switch between the two. Compact and light enough to carry in my bag and always have on hand. Clear image. Smooth and easy focusing.

I gave it five stars becasue I love what they do and the price seems reasonable. I wish I had one of these 20 years ago. I agree with other reviewers that the 6.5 X is the most practical for most folks. I got the 8.5 X because I planned to use it on a tripod or monopod but might wish I had gotten the lower power myself. Time will tell as I use them. This instrument is OK for birding if 1) you are not a profession birder used to the results of $500 to $5,000 binocs and 2) you watch birds in bright enough light. In truth it is not really possible to design optics to work up close and far away in one device. That is why microscopes do not look like telescopes but microscopes can be made to focus on the moon by shortening the tube length considerable but the image would be dim and the magnification low. These binocs are really a low power stereo microscope designed for a greater working distance than the usual one. One review complained about focus for both eyes but the reviewer did not understand center focus binoculars. The right eye helical focus function is used after focusing first with the left eye and center focus knob while the right eye is closed.

These Papilios replaced a well-used pair of Eagle optics binoculars with very close focus which were no longer available. I am happy with the Papilio for the feather weight, wear-all-day simplicity. With a 20 inch focus, I use them for insect close ups and am well satisfied. For birding, stick with your heftier and more stable birding binocs.

Superb for close in work. I use them in museums, and they work great for that. With crowding and understandable stand-off distances in front of works of art, these allow you to get close even in a crowd. Close in, it's so easy to see individual brushstrokes and details, and get a better understanding of how the artist layered up their paintings. A must for any serious art student, professional, or visual arts enthusiast. They are also great in the field in nature, and they would be great for concerts. One of my favorite optics.

I bought these specifically for looking at paintings in museums. The security guards don't like it when you get too close to the artworks but with these it's almost like having your face in the canvas while still being at least three feet away. Great magnification, great detail and close focusing. They are also light enough that they don't become burdensome.