Some of the binos I got for comparison were from local stores, and some were mail order.

Don't get fooled when shopping online for the cheapest price on binos from all the NY camera and optic shops (rip off artists). They may have the lowest price on their website, but I've had two bad experiences of being lied to by those types of places. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED! By FAR, the most reputable online place to buy binocs that I've found is www.eagleoptics.com

They get huge thumbs up from me.

They are located right here in my state of Wisconsin, have very good prices, and outstanding customer service. Great people to talk to and they know their stuff. Two people I talked to there also preferred the Venturer 10x25's over the Zeiss Victory 10x25 or Leica 10x25.

When it's time for buying 10x42's, I'm going to take the hour's drive and go to their shop to do comparisions right there.