Best bang for the buck - Vortex Diamondback 10x50mm Binoculars D5010

You'll not find a better pair of binoculars in this price range. The brightness and clarity are on par with the much more expensive German brands. The biggest difference being that they lose a tad of clarity at the very edges, but this is really a non factor to me. I don't look at birds/animals with the extreme edges of the lenses. The fit and finish is very good. The adjustable eye cups lock in place, the focus knob is just stiff enough to stay in place (and very smooth). I don't get where people say these are difficult to hold in place....they are very well balanced and fit the hand well. I've used them for hours at a time birding and find them easier to hold than the Pentax DCF 10x42's that I've used for years. The wider field of view and closer focusing make these a real pleasure to use. Given the outstanding warranty, you can't go wrong with these.
Pros: Brightness, clarity, fit and finish
Cons: Loses clarity at the very edges

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