RE: Binos....
I recently purchased a pair of Meopta 10X42. They are the best glass I could find for the money. I did tons of research: nikon, leupold, swaro, Zeiss, leica, kahles, etc... For the money Meopta blew the rest away, for a grand less. I would put them right next to the big three (leica, swaro, zeiss). I paid a touch under $700.00 from Alex at europtic.com. The nice thing is if you have any problems you send them to him within the u.s. and he takes care of the rest. Check them out.