I will hijack this thread since I have never looked thru an alpha.
What would be your top three if money was what defined what you owned?
I think you mean "if you couldn't spend a lot and spent to fill in the three".
How about $300 total for all three...let's be tough.
Other tradeoffs (like size) acceptable for some, to get the best you can.
..and, round it out for different contexts.
OK:
----Nikon Acculon 211 7x35
(many would agree it's jam-packed with greatness and a spectacular
bargain for $62 ...checked it at bhphotovideo)
----LL Bean / Bushnell 8x25 "Discovery": incredibly sharp bright wide view
for $50. My favorite surprise value, despite the odd silicone
body armor.
----Pentax 10x50 CF (right now, 62$) for distance.
...they are honkin' big, but the raves roll in for the view.
I saw some very far things sharp from the counter.
A good example of bang-per-buck in porro+size trade-off.
This is a good time for low-end bargains.
All 3 use the 'power of the porro' to give you a lot of bang for the buck.
One of the unsung benefits of the reverse-porro (the LL Beans) is
how easy precision assembly is in that 'box' chassis. More savings
and a little ruggedness. Not quite as "3D" but still stereo.
Incredible: it's under $200!
----------------------------------
Or....if you're low on cash but want 1 awesome thing, try the
Bushnell Elite 7x26 for about $240. Any sharper and you would cut
your retinas.
Or get 6.5x32 Meopta MeoPros for $300 and nothing else.
There are some very good roofs under $200 as well.
