In the field testing. Really, sort of bad bino's are not as bad as we all think and great bino's aren't as great as you hear. A great bino will not make deer pop out of the woods and run at you.

Also, relatively good $100 binos are not like looking through a scope with the caps on.

The keys to value are to shop porros, low power,large exit pupilbino's in the bargain range. This will make cheap seem better than they really are. . .

For example, usually, I can find a cheap6 x 30 porro for about the same price as a 10 x 21 roof. IMO, for general hunting, I will be much happier with the heavier low mag porro. This is how good "working man" binos are found.

The next step up is maybe a well reviewed $300 bino like Swifts, Nikon and maybe Leupolds.

Then, there is a $500 - $700 price point which is some better.

A $1000 price point which you have to be pretty good to define why you want these.

A $1500 + price point, but I don't have anything but store time with those.

For my money, my 7 x 42 Bushnell Discoverers are doing great for me. Heck, I can pretty much see in the dark with them. I can see through the brush way better than eyes only. All that for about $300.