On a recommendation from a guy on another hunting forum, I purchased a new pair of binoculars. They are Pentax 8x42 DCF WP (water proof) roof prisms. This is Pentax's top of the line binocs. They are listed in Cabelas for $450 (minus $100 rebate) but I bought them from a place called 17th st. photo supply in New York for $325 (minus $100 rebate). So my cost for them with shipping is $240 after rebate.

The reason they are supposed to be better than earlier models is that the prisms are phase coated. Well, my brother has the exact model (8x42 DCF roof prism) but NOT the WP model and I did a side by side comparison. There is a very noticable difference in clarity and light trasmission between the 2. I compared them at noon and very dark dusk, and the difference in clarity is very noticable.

Unless you spend $800-1000 on binocs, I doubt you can find a better deal. I was skeptable until I did a side by side. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but I am excited. I leave in 2 weeks for an elk muzzleloading trip to Colorado, and now I have a new set of quality optics to take along.

Good hunting