@CathyMichiganBirds :
'
I googled the issue... So now I'm really frustrated because I thought these were decent quality binoculars and was not expecting to experience this... I really don't have any baseline to compare to. I'm new to using binoculars.... I'm just learning... '
Hello Cathy... I'm briefly sharing with you a thought that often comes to me when reading posts, here or elsewhere... I'll try to make it short.
I don't know if this will help you, but who knows ?
What you say is touching because you really seem to discover a budding passion, to be really interested, etc etc.
For me, in most cases, it's a bad calculation, a real mistake, to want to buy cheaper binoculars, and in particular if you feel a passion, a real interest in observing nature in all its majesty.
Of course, I wouldn't tell you the same thing if you were passionate about cars, and you want a hyper model to feel all the sensations, like a Bugatti Chiron at $3,825,000, or a Ferrari SF90 Stradale at $511,250... But here we are not talking about Hypercars with these crazy prices, but about Hyper binoculars at around 1100-2300$ !!!!!!!
With a Hypercar you will experience unknown sensations on the road, but reserved for very few people because of their cost... With Hyper binoculars you'll experience unknown sensations in nature but with a cost between ~ 1000 and 2000$, and when you really want it, it's far possible for everyone !!!
This is for me a miscalculation that far too many people do !
I don't know you, Cathy, I don't know what you're waiting for, but you seem demanding with good reason, and want to give your eyes everything they deserve: the Beauty of the world !
And believe me, with this range of 'Alpha' binoculars, you will dream, be literally transported, feel emotions you never knew before, take my word for it !!... And no more AC problems, and all the other stupid worries !!!!
Looks like you already made the mistake of buying those 2 pairs of Vortex, which must have already cost you about over 800$ !!... that would have already paid you a good chunk of a pair of 'Alpha binoculars !
My advice for you to stop caring : sell these binoculars, or return them, and try Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leica... and please don't be swayed by other advice and other cheaper brands: they will ALWAYS be less good quality, despite everything you may read !!
If you can, find a dealer where you can actually test these binoculars, and not just quickly on the street !!!... It takes a bit of time, a few hours at least, and is part of the fun of this purchase.
I have always been a Swarovski user, and can only recommend this brand to you... but please test the Zeiss Victory SFL 8 or 10 x40 (~$1800), and Swarovski NL Pure 10x32 ($2300)... why these ? it would take too long to explain, and I wanted to make it short !! lol !!
Can't afford them right now?...just save a little, or take them with 3 or 4 installments which is usually offered !
You will discover sensations and pleasure that you did not even suspect by just looking through these Vortex or other brands of the same kind !!
Your eyes and your brain deserve the best, don't compromise, don't haggle !! You came to this site for some advice, and I just try to give you mine.
Btw, I agree on many points with @denco, of course, but not at all when he says: '
I think you need to lower your expectations of what you are going to see ' !!!!
You do so with Vortex and others, may be, lol !!!... BUT, PLEASE, NEVER LOW YOUR EXPECTATIONS !!!!
Your expectations will be fulfilled every day with 'Alpha' binoculars that you will have chosen for yourself... this is precisely what makes their difference, giving you even more than all your expectations !!!!! Each outing is a refreshment for your eyes, your brain, a 'scan' of the world around you that you didn't suspect before, Cathy... an enchantment.
(°v°)