A pair of bald eagles are nesting about 1/2 mile from my home. 15 power binoculars would be perfect for viewing. Spotting scopes are a little slow to use on flying birds and my 10 power binos just a little underpowered. I was ready to buy Swarovski but a friend suggested the Leupold Santiam. Has anyone given them a try?

You may wish to consider the Meopta Meostar 15x56

I am with Doug, the Meopta lines are similar in quality optically to anything made in Austria and Germany at nicer prices.

Designs are a little less artsy and refined. But the execution optically puts them along side anything made in Austria or Germany.

I have a 6-24 Meopta rifle scope and it was 1000 Euros when I lived in Germany (5 months ago), the optical execution of the thing is on par with any Zeiss V8, or Swarvoski x5.

Took Doug's advice and got a super deal on the Meopta's and bought a light weight tripod to go with it.
Thanks to Camera Land!

Just curious: how would one prevent image wobble with 15X binos.

10X is max for my image stabilizing skills.

In what country are Meopta optics manufactured?

EMP3, you must have a tripod for 15x binos to stabilize them. The Meopta's are made in Czech Republic and are fantastic.

Czech Republic

Have any of you compared the Meopta against the 15x56 Swaro's?

They are scary close, hardly a difference in a side by side