re: binoculars

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Nikon by a landslide.

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Landslide? No. The Nikons are very good and you can't go wrong with them. I'd buy the Vortex though, given those choices. After a lot of years of heavy binocular use I've settled on Eagle Optics Ranger 10x50's (I like the extra magnification but most people prefer 10x42 since they are lighter and it is easier to find what you are looking for). The Vortex come pretty close to Eagle Optics in bang for the buck and there is nothing wrong with choosing the Monarchs.

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I remember a comment about a brand that I had not heard of but all the bird watchers use them. The price was cheaper than the Nikon.

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That must have been me. You'll find a lot of birders using Eagle Optics, and Vortex is coming on strong and has a good reputation. Birders with tons of money go with the Swarovski but I'm not spending north of $2,000 for binoculars.