RE: Binoculars
I agree with PaBowhntr. I think the 8x monarchs are pretty hard to beat in this range, though haven't personally lloked through comparable vortex products either. If your wanting to go with 10X then the Alpen Shasta Ruidges IMO is comparable to the views/punch of the Monarch 8x model. If your optical use is a little more then gentle peering and wanting a higher mag like a 10x bin I suggest looking upwards to the mid level bins by Minox, Vortex, etc.
I used to think my Pentax sp's were pretty good but when comparing them to the set of Minox HG's I bought for my dad notso much. I was all set to buy a set for myself when I got an opportunity to buy some Swaro EL's and jumped on it. Unlike the other poster the EL's are superior to my eyes and wouldn't even put them close to the same league. Not all eyessee the same things,so I suggest you compare as many as possiblebefore buying.
Good Luck