1) Binos-I'm not a big binocular guy, I have a pair of cheap 10X50's I've had over 20 years that still work. I can't see spending $400 on them for what I use them for and how little they get used.
I will say this, until you have used a great pair of binos, one does not know. I felt the same way until I used a pair of Swarkoski.
I am a product of my GrandFather. I am a tight wad on everything execpt hunting gear. A quote from Grandpa
"Jr by the best, or you will always wish you had"