Just tonight, I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42 binocs. ($260 w/ store coupon.) I compared them against comparably priced Baush & Lomb, Bushnell, and Pentax brands. The Monarch's were noticeably more clear than any of the above. In order, I'd rank the Pentax at the bottom, and the two B's on par with each other. The Monarch's were also the smallest and lightest of the bunch.