I have had numerous pairs of binoculars over the 40 years I've been guiding - from super cheap rubbish (as guides don't get paid much) to what I've found to be my ideal, a pair of Zeiss Victory 10x32 FL's, being super light and super sharp with rapid focus and crystal bright image. Along the journey brands that have stuck out as worthwhile have been Nikon and Pentax (who make a 9x42 option) with quality optics at more moderate prices. I am continually surprised at the cheaper binoculars proving to be better and better, such as the Nikon prostaff (that was cheap and nasty previously in my view) series now in great build quality and super bright optics. In my line of work binoculars need to be built, tough pack easy, be light on the neck and easy/sharp to catch image be it birding or wildlife.