binoculars

I have bushnell excursions. 10x36. Great lens, compact enough, good light transmission, decent field of view.
 
I rely on my binocualrs a lot when hunting and scouting. Generally I advise people to buy the best glass they possibly can afford. Cheap binocs tend to be dim and fuzzy compared to better ones. Not necessarily a big deal in bright daylight but when the light starts to go, quality lenses actually are brighter than your naked eyes.

Before I can recommend anything, a little more info would be helpful. What will you be using them for? Are you looking for a compact set or full sized? (Compact binoculars are much smaller and lighter, but some light gathering and clarity is generally sacrificed.) I don't have a specific recommendation for compacts except to get the best you can afford.

In full-sized glasses, you can get a pair of Nikon Monarchs for around $300, which are suprisingly good for the money. You may be able to find a used pair within your budget.
 
I have a pair of Bushnell Legend 10x42 binoculars. I carry them across my shoulder/chest when I hunt with my open sited double rifle. They go for over $200 most places, but if you look around you can find them in the $150 range. They also make 8x42 also. They have rainguard on them and are built very tough. I dont think anything is 100% fogproof, but I have taken them hunting in the rain and was able to see through them easily. They have twist down eyecups which are awsome if you wear glasses when your outdoors like I do. They are midsized, so they are not too small, and they are not too big. I liked them so much, I got a smaller pair that is 10x26 and they are just as nice, but are smaller and cheaper. I think they now make a 12x42 which are slightly longer, but I do not have a pair of them. I really like the two pairs I have and would highly recommend them to anyone. I looked hard at the Nikon ATB, but decided in the end to get the Bushnell, which I am very happy with.
 
I've got a pair of Bushnell Excursion EX's in 10x42, they were $240(CAD) locally. You might be able to find them cheaper online. I'm super happy with them. Nice clean view, waterproof, adjustable eye relief, and they've got a sort of rubberized cushion coating. I'd recommend them for sure if you can find em for the right price.
 
I've got the Bushnell Legend 8x32 and can find no fault with them. I've had them for several years now, and until I got them, I went through binocs like some guys go through folders and flashlights. Best binoc available for the money, IMO. I had a pair of Burris Signature 10x50's (very nice glass itself) before the Bushnell, and I still like the Bushnell Legend better.
 
like others have said, good glass, good coatings...I use mine on the Gulf of Mexico and opt for the best twilight factor for visibility under low light conditions...human eye dialates to about 8mm... divide the front (objective lens) diameter in mm by the power to get the twilight factor eg. 4x32=tf8 6x36=tf6....8 gathers light better,for hunting it extends your vision 1/2 hour or so... same with rifle scopes...lens coatings very important
 
I have the Olympus Magellan 7x50 wp and I would recommend them to anyone. Fantastic optics, waterproof and they have a built in compass that you see at the bottom while looking through them.
They should be in your price range.
 
If you haven't already I'd at least take a look at Leupold. I've seen a few take a terrible beating/soaking and come through relatively unscathed.
 
Check out the Leupold Yosemites, less than a C-Note. I have both the 6x and 8x. The 6x are better to my eyes.
 
I have the Leupold Wind River Mesa's in 8X32 and can't complain. A very nice feature is that they have adjustable eye relief so I can switch between me(with glasses) and my friend(without) with just a twist of the eye pieces.
 
As we've now touched on toughness – Whilst ideally stuff doesn't break, fings happen. The warranty on the Vortex is pretty darn good.

I'd strongly urge you to find a bunch of reviews on them. I suspect at your price point you'll be advised that you can get more for your buck with porros, but for roofs I just can't see many beating these. Certainly short list material.

It's worth noting the hackneyed “get what you pay for” thing is something to be wary of without qualification. In fact, as it stands it is almost meaningless. Of course you'll need to pay extra for Schott glass in the same way as Levinson can't offer amplifiers on the cheap, but there's just as much dogma here as there is with knives. Some of the newbies really are arse kicking especially at the numbers we're considering here. Get with the program and learn there's more to it than Busse-binoculars are best, and you need to spend X to avoid unhappiness. A great form is http://www.opticstalk.com/, although it looks like they're doing an upgrade now. And don't forget to look at birdwatching forums, they're a gnarly bunch too and just as geek on their kit as knife lovers and hunters. Although common to most that go geek on a topic they'll usually try to get you to spend more - a $200 kayak soon finds recommendations for a $600 job, same with this.
 
My favorite binos are Bushnell Elite 7x26 custom compact. They are not full size and cost $250 so don't fit your parameters. For full size binoculars I do suggest that you get 7 or 8 power by 42 to 50. 10 power binos are hard to hold steady and 42mm or larger give a bright image. My Bushnell's are only 26mm but that is the trade off for small size.
 
Pay some attention to what Horny Toad has told you. More than one person has been dissatisfied with their binoculars, due to they were TOO POWERFUL. Every time your heart beats, the pulse will make small movements in your stance and grasp, with the result most experienced users refuse to go over an 8 power set of glasses. Then for different uses, they can range from 22 on up to 50 or so for light transmission. For high portability, an 8 x 30 is well advised, but also pay some attention to weight, as a large pair of 42 porro glasses with a weight of over two pounds will have grown to become very heavy by the end of a active day. Not too long ago, I took a very old pair of great glasses, along on a 8 day cruise, with the ship meandering down from Alaska to Vancouver, knew I was not going to be wandering around on land much, but did enjoy the 12 x 56, where I could brace them against something, and they were awesome, but you would not desire to tote them on a hunt.
 
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