Survielance Binos

There is way way to many binoculars to choose from. I have looked att about every binos at Dicks sporting goods. The most expensive pair is around 300 bucks. When viewing them in the store, I really cant tell much of a difference between the $80 pair and the $300 pair. I currently have a pair of Nikon Action Extreme 7x35 Binos and use them for surveilance. They are good at night but have some extra cash and would like a higher powered set to replace the 7x35s. Is there really a difference at night viewing to warrant the extra cost of buying a $700 - $1000 pair of binoculars or should I just stick with the cheapies?
If the answer is yes...help me out with a selection. I glass anywhere from 100 feet up to 500 feet. The majority of the viewing is in an urban environment so lighting such as street lights and regular interior home lighting is always around. I need to be able to identify faces and license plates at the above mentioned distances. I would like binos that do not require focusing as sometimes I need to instantly bring the glasses to my eyes and read a plate as the vehicle passes me. I saw some Stieners 10x50s that I think may fit the bill, but am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks.

shockproof is mandatory as is waterproof and fogproof.

Night viewing is all different from day use. "High powered" will not work unless you are looking at stars.

It all depends on what kind of landscape you have. A lit city street is OK and you may see at 7x and 8x. I tested various pairs of mine and I can see some house numbers etc past sun down. All depends on the model. High end 7x would be ideal. Zeiss etc.

There are special night vision devicces.

Hi

You always pay for two things on any bino - optics and construction - and the more you pay, the more you get of each. You do not get an increase proportional to the price - a $900 bino is never three times better than a $300 bino - but the difference is there if you are in the least bit critcal when looking.

Go with any 10x42 or 10x50 in your price range, but avoid the temptation to go more than 10x or you will have some serious FOV and steadiness issues. Anything more than a 10x gets you into the need for a tripod.

The Steiner is fine.

I still think a wide field is needed for looking for things in the dark. The 10x would have to be pretty bright. The bigger the better if 10x. Tripod mount is best. Maybe a small scope is even better? A scope at 20x, some 65mm model. Wide field eye pieces are available.

Here is the affordable Vortex sandpiper, good views at 15x
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-sand ... r65-a.html