Daddus1

First, you have gotten some really outstanding responses (mine not withstanding) to you question. I thought of a couple more things I would like to add:

1. The two Pentax binos I recommended, along with the Nikon Monarch ATBs, are all roof prism binoculars. This means that they have straight barrels, while porro-prism binos have "elbows" which accomidate the prisms. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Roof prisms are certainly lighter and more compact. The roof prism design is also easier to make weathproof compared to porros. The older roofs were not as optically sharp as porros, but with the advent of phase correction coatings (which were first available on the Pentax DCF SPs) it brought the roof prisms up to par with the porros, but the fly in the ointment is that you have to spend more money to get really good roof prism binos compared to porros. Now all "good" roof prisms employ phase correction coatings and BAK-4 prisms. If your budget is too tight to allow you to spend $300+ then you may wish to consider porro-prism binos. Typically you can buy higher optical performance in porros at a lower price than equivilant optical performance in roofs. If you decide to buy porro prisms (which I know less about) make sure that they are completely waterproof and carry a lifetime warranty.

2. You will never regret spending a bit more money for better quality when it comes to binoculars. I tried to go cheap and regretted that decision because every "cheap" bino I bought didn't last very long under field conditions when hunting. They would either fog or malfunction in some other way. The decision to purchase the Pentax DCF-SPs was made only aftera longsearch for the absolute best glass I could afford under $500.00. While others may argue that there are other models under $500 that are better than the SPs, I am completely satisfied with my decision. I really enjoy using these binos and they go with me everytime I am out in the field scouting, hunting, at a ballgame, etc. They are an indespensible part of my hunting equiptment and I can't imagine not having them now. The little things that binos like these allow you to more clearly see is amazing.

Most everything I have learned about binos came from reading the binocular section of this internet discussion forum: www.opticstalk.com

They opened a Gander Mountain store in my town and they have a model of every bino and scope they sell available for you to pick up, examine, and look through. Other than the $1,800.00 Swarovski ELs and SLCs and another $1,000.00 Zeiss model on display I don't think the SPs take a back seat to any other model in that store.

Good luck with your purchase.