Once you get into 10x42 size, you could realistically do some multiple levels of comparisons. There's enough offerings out there to do a $200-400 range, $400-700 range, and then the "open" class (get the fire hose to cool down your wallet) range.

The nice thing about the compacts is that even the best of the bunch is not going to absolutely kill you on price. And some may wonder how I could like a pair of $219 10x25 binos better than the top-of-the-line 10x25 Venturer's? Like I've mentioned there's always tradeoffs. I think the Venturer's are the best COMPACT bino, but you pay a premium price to get that beautiful clarity and light gathering ability into a package that small. The porro design of the Mountaineers allows for slightly better light transmission by using bigger reflecting surface areas of the glass inside while still keeping the outstanding clarity. The trade off is that it takes a bigger package (a little heavier and bulkier) to do it with that method vs the roof prims Venturer's. So a little bigger/heavier but with equal clarity and a little more light gathering ability, and for less cash. I'm willing to make that trade for MY binocular needs and useage. Your mileage may vary.