Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SP series. I checked out these binos on the recommendation from Matt/PA and I compared them to as many others as I could get my hands on at Cabelas, Steiner, Swarovski, Leica, ZeissKahles, Bushnell, Nikon, ect... Out of all of these the Leica and Zeissseemed the best to me, followed by the Swarovski, and VERY close behind was the Pentax then the Kahles. They are pricey for a brand that most don't associate with upper end binoculars, but compared to the other bino's in its class, it is dirt cheap. I found them at
www.hotbuyselectronics.com The 10X43's roof prism binos are $414.98 which is practically a steal![:-]
Yeah as Jason stated I use the Pentax DCF-SP's Mine are 8X43 and man do I use them hard. A little too hard and I have scratched the crap out of theeye piecesover the last 5 years (Objectives still look great) but you can't tell looking through them. The light gathering is awesome on these and they are a real sleeper of a model.
They aren't too God awful expensive like the Euro stuff but they rate right with them.
I was one of those guys who tried to get by with inferior optics for too many years and when I finally stepped up I did the research and these are what I went with, best money I have ever spent. I use them for everything from scouting, to hunting, to 3D, to football games. They pretty much never leave my truck.
All that said the Monarchs and Bushnell Legends for the $300 range are tough to beat.
Just remember..........full size, phase corrected, roof prism, fully waterproof. Don't settle for less.