Binoculars

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: Not "waterproof" but very well sealed. Never had any issues and don't have worries. Only significant usage negative is slightly slow focusing, due to the good, tight sealing - but this is really minor.

Pros: Alpha level optics at beta level price. So unfortunate that Nikon discontinued this superb optical instrument. Handling, feel and operation are excellent, unless you have problems with porros in general (I don't). Contrast, brightness, flat field, sharpness to the edge are outstanding.

Summary: While not "waterproof", I've been using both porros and fully WP roof prisms for ~45-50 years in all sorts of conditions, and only had a cheap pair of Bushnells from the 1970s ever fog. Would have been nice but unlike others, don't think it's a real issue. I don't hose down binoculars or fall into streams with optics hanging from my neck; too experienced or not stupid enough maybe! Shock resistance is for me a bigger plus of roofs, but that too has only been an issue with the ancient Bushnells. These are top notch.

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: Crap bag Not Waterproof

Pros: Superb resolution Amazingly bright image Feels great in the hands. Good eye relief

Summary: Simply the best Porro out there. Super sharp images matching roofs costing over twice as much. Such a shame they are not waterproof. http://www.flickr.com/photos/binoculars/

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: Not waterproof

Pros: The view

Summary: Best glass i have used, ever.I could never afford this optical quality in a roof, assuming it is available in a roof somewhere north of $2000 USD

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: Not weatherproof. Rainguard is a bit of a nuisance and doesn't fit well. No status points with the Big 3 roofer crowd (although the SE's preform as well or better than most of their competition).

Pros: Spectacular optics, as good as anything I've seen for almost four times the price.

Summary: Still one of the finest small binoculars made.

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: They don't have the newest pull-out eye cups, and with my eyeglasses they have to be centered properly or black out. I'm being very picky.

Pros: Incredible clarity, beautiful 3-D view, flat field, extremely bright for an 8x32, feel very familiar holding them, nice weight.

Summary: I've not looked through many other binos, although had a new Swaro 8x42 SLC-HD for a month. Optically I could see little difference, although the Swarovskis were more eyeglass friendly and sl. wider field. The Swaros were only slightly brighter at dusk and did not have the 3-D view of the Nikon porro. I've also used an Leica 8x32 Trinovid which frankly didn't come close to the Nikon SE 8x32. The Nikon SE's (I've also had a 10x42) are optically superb and feel great. The price is right also.

Build quality
Optical quality
Accesories and usage
Value for money
Overall

Cons: Not waterproof

Pros: Perfect resolution and color fidelity. "WOW" factor off the charts.

Summary: Best of the Best