Hi BWD
I guess what I was trying to do is gonna be too difficult, BUT your description of the functional difference between your 650 and 800 jackets is a VALUABLE comparison and if you don't need to walk around the block because you KNOW, thats adequate in my book.

(as you say) an 11 ounce 800 down jackets is not as warm as a heavier 650 down jacket. So why the push for 800 down?
Jim
11 ounces really? I haven't kept up with this because my old gear serves me well and I'm not shopping for new gear. Wow that must mean about 4 to 5 ounces of 800 down in the jacket. No wonder its not as warm as you might wish.

I think personally I would not buy a coat with less than 8 ounces of good down, or 10 of cheaper down.
Jim