Vixen = value for the dollar - Vixen Alpina 10 x 42 DCF Binoculars

Have used these for a few weeks. Very nice clear views of the skies--picked off M81-82, M57 ( a tiny dot!), M56, M71, and even M101, which can be dim in a telescope. Daytime views also good. Vixen is known for providing good quality optics that don't break the bank, but they also avoid the bottom tiers in performance and price. I seem to prefer the "fit and feel" of my 6x30 Leupold Yosemites, so I may try a Leupold 10x42 to compare to this brand. Meantime they seem to be a great pair of binoculars for general purposes and you're not losing a family heirloom if something happens to them.

The rear eyecup covers are difficult to get off so if you had a bird land in front of you and the covers weren't already off you'd have a problem. For the front lenses I always use Butler creek caps on anything I buy which are very fast and easy to operate.

The space for mounting to a tripod is very limited between the two oculars and I could not get it onto a friend's tripod. The focus mechanism is smooth.

For refractors, Vixen is a good brand for made-in-Japan excellence; but these binoculars are made in China.
Pros: Good image clarity, good price
Cons: a bit heavy, eye covers, made in china

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.