A couple of years ago, with the help of web-site reviews, I bought a pair of Vortex-Stokes DLS 10x42s for under $500 and was blown away by the combination of American design and quality control plus Asian (Japanese I think) lenses.
(I'm in Australia where binoculars are generally astronomical in price or like looking through jam-jar bottoms).
This time, I've been looking for a pair of entry level binoculars around the $200 mark for my son. I stuck with the American/Asian formula and went for Kruger Caldera 10x42s at $214. (I think I scored the last discounted pair on Amazon).
They have an AB18 series prefix. No problems whatsoever with the diopter setting or focus knob. Or anything else for that matter. These are excellent birding binoculars, comparable to my Vortex with the bonus of an increased FOV and fiddley but effective eye-shield wings. Incredible for the price.
I read one review warning of a "Rolling Ball" effect on these. When I first used them I noticed it too - very slightly. Strangely though, after about 15 minutes of use the effect went away. Maybe the software between my ears kicked-in and compensated.
(I'm in Australia where binoculars are generally astronomical in price or like looking through jam-jar bottoms).
This time, I've been looking for a pair of entry level binoculars around the $200 mark for my son. I stuck with the American/Asian formula and went for Kruger Caldera 10x42s at $214. (I think I scored the last discounted pair on Amazon).
They have an AB18 series prefix. No problems whatsoever with the diopter setting or focus knob. Or anything else for that matter. These are excellent birding binoculars, comparable to my Vortex with the bonus of an increased FOV and fiddley but effective eye-shield wings. Incredible for the price.
I read one review warning of a "Rolling Ball" effect on these. When I first used them I noticed it too - very slightly. Strangely though, after about 15 minutes of use the effect went away. Maybe the software between my ears kicked-in and compensated.