[Leica] OT: Binoculars, what's top quality?

[vick.ko at sympatico.ca (Vick Ko)]

OT: 

I'm thinking of getting a new set of binoculars, general usage and 
birdwatching.  What's top quality - the little red dot from Leica? 

Are there other "cult'ish" brands to look at, like Docter, Swarovski, 
... that combine superb quality, outlandish price and "pride of 
ownership (okay, snob appeal)?

Thanks all


Vick