Strathspey/Helios 25x100s?

[Alfian]

The thought of some big binos have crept back into my consciousness when I wasn't looking, and though funds are quite some way off I couldn't help looking around. For the moment I'm side stepping the mounting issue although I think I have the means to deal with that as and when and if the time comes.

So looking at 25x100s  there are the Helios Q4 IF 25x100s and the Strathspey 25x100 Giants.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/helios/helios-quantum-4-if-25x100-binoculars.html

http://www.strathspey.co.uk/shop/25x100.html

Strathspey binos are usually pretty competitively priced (I've noticed that prices are now shown as including VAT and delivery)  but they are advertised at £331.79, as opposed to FLO's  £266.95 including delivery. That is quite a difference. So is there any real difference between them given that outwardly, apart from cosmetics, they appear very similar. Strathspey mention "better prism housings" but that is in comparison to the 20x90s.

Comparing different incarnations of United Optics/Kunming binos  is a bit of a chestnut but in this particular case has any one any thoughts?

I have also realised that the Apollo 22x85s are not too far away price wise from the Straths' which If I was in that price ball park (gulp) might resolve the issue!  Of course 2nd hand might also be a possibility.

[moriniboy]

Keep a look out on Astroboot, they usually sell OOC (out of collimation) ones quite cheaply.

I got a pair of Helios Quantum 4 - 20 x 90s for £97.68 from them and it took 5 minutes to fix.

Collimation is not as daunting as it may seem and its a worthwhile skill to master if they ever get knocked out of alignment in the future.

[Alfian]

Hi Moriniboy, is that Morini as in Moto? I've had many bikes in years gone by - always fancied a Morini 3.5 but that's a whole different universe. Yes - I do keep an eye on AB and a while back came close to buying some Q4 15x70s that were OOC but was distracted by something else. Its a case of timing ie the right item coming up when the right funds are in place!