PAbowhunter has it pegged. There is usually a difference in customer service in higher end binos like Leupold, Leice, etc. But Bushnell has very good service even on it's cheaper lines. And all ofthe techincal and build differences between the cheaper and higher end binos is a compelling argument.
But you just know the difference when you are used to a cheap bino and you finally look through a pair of good ones.The first time I looked through a pair of Baucsh & Lomb ELites after the tascos I was using, The view was breathtaking. I think I literally said "HOLY S**T" out loud at the store.
Get to a Cabelas if you can or some store that has alot of brands. Spend time comparing, looking at dark corners and trying to read writing on boxes and such. Usually they will let you take them outside so you can check out colour accuracy.
Nowadays you can get a pretty incredible pair in the 500 dollor range, IE Cabelas Alaskan Guide, Pentax DCF-SP, Steiner Merlin, Docter Optik.
But it is really hard to beat Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon LXL, and Leica. We all may argue about which is the best of these 4, but they are all so good that the deal maker will probably come down to how they feel in you hands and how they look.
okcmco
okcmco