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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jim M." data-source="post: 1334360" data-attributes="member: 60675">Before the aforementioned Hawke and Promaster binoculars came out, one review site (birdwatching.com)nominated the Vortex Viper as being the "best binocular buy of all".  I think it is still a strong contender for that title if you are looking for a light weight waterproof 8 x 42 or 10 x 42 with generous eye relief, a bulletproof warranty, fairly fast focus, and a locking diopter.  And for most birders, the optics are so good that Alpha binoculars appear only slightly superior.  (But if getting the highest optical quality per dollar is your primary goal, the Hawke or Promaster are apparently a better bet--but like most here I have only read the reviews of the latter).Jim</blockquote>