10x42 are the workhorse binocular size. I got a pair of Bushnell I bought secondhand from a friend for $100. They’re great. I have some 8x30 Nikons for walking around. My compacts are really a disadvantage late, late when it’s getting dark.

wider field of view for deep woods. classic 7x35 that can focus pretty close. i've had a moderately priced pair of nikon action binos in 7x35 for 15 years. never have fogged. decently bright with an exit pupil of 5. focus is still as smooth as brand new. eye cups are getting a little flea bitten. exit pupil (divide little number into big number; answer is exit pupil; human eye can take in light up to 7; anything bigger is a waste) 7x42 would be even better with an exit pupil of 6. now, for vast game plots and cutovers up to the edge of dark, it's a whole 'nother thing. costs a whole lot of money to get an exit pupil close to 7 with, say, 10 power. then there's the weight factor that goes with more power and brightness ...

Actually, no one has recommended one of the big 3 I don't think. Swaro, Leica, zeiss
That's what I use and if someone tries to say lesser binos are the same, they're kidding themselves. I'd say how often you use them, distance you glass, and how critical dusk/dawn vision is should dictate what you use.
On a side note, comparing binos in the store will trick your eyes...

Oh, if buying from the big 3, look for demo deals online

You can add Meopta to the list of really good ones.

If you are really happy with an inexpensive set, never look through a really good set. You will never be happy with the cheap ones again.

I believe you can buy the meostar binos at Europtic for under $1000

Friend of mine once commented on his Swarvoskis: “I tell you what. That’s optical orgasm right there.”

I meant cheap binoculars in general. The Meopta brand is sometimes very reasonable, but they are a quality product.

I was hesitant buying mine just because of price but, I've spotted elk/deer ears, faces, and partial antlers from several hundred yards away.

The seller for me was elk hunting. A pair of SLCs, pair of Cabelas euros, a pair of Nikons. SLC guy says theres a 3x3 facing us in the reprod (approx. 250yds. My buddy and I with the Nikons and euros called BS... We looked through the SLCs and boom, theres a 3x3 elk staring at us. I was sold, my friend and I both own Swaros now.

If not spending big money, find a LEO friend or veteran and have them order a pair of Vortex with the pro deal.

I'm just puttin' it out there. In Alabama, deer hunting, there is zero justifiable difference between an EQUALLY SIZED pair of $1,000 binos and $250 binos. There is, however, a justifiable difference between the $250 and the $75 pair. If you can't see every deer you'll ever try to look at with some 10x42 Nikon ProStaffs (or equivalent Vortex), your problem isn't the binos, and/or you've found that 1 / 1bazillion circumstance. Like I said, after that, you're just having a goober-shakin contest.

I heard JohnnyLoco was your man if you needed a judge for a “goober shakin’ contest.”

Were not talking about $1000 binos. Swarovski SLC and EL binos cost a lot more than that...

That, and you may not be able to justify it but, with my Swaros and you with a $250-500 set of binos, I'll be seeing deer while you're not. It's a fact. I have Leupold, Nikon, and Bushnell binos, I orederd a set of Vortex HDs for my sons friend. Middle of the day pretty comparable, dusk and dawn no contest. The high dollar binos will out perform the others. You're only kidding yourself if you think they're the same.

I shot a buck last season while one guy was waiting to be picked up, and another was walking to the road to be picked up. They both quit because they couldn't see their field.
I was still in the blind looking at deer.

When a legal buck came out. I made a hole in him. At that point, I was grateful for the Swarovski SLC binoculars. Your mileage may vary.

I looked through my zeiss terra ed this afternoon. Haven’t had them in the woods yet but was impressed with what I saw.

Anyone else have these?

I'm looking for some also. I can't justify spending what a pair of Swarovskis cost. Is there something mid-range - $500 or so that is good?

nikon action extreme's have treated me well for years

Meopta, Leica, and Cabelas (made by Meopta), and Kowa all have some models in that range. I have had Vortex in that range that I also liked.

I would also add Nikon Monarch 7 in the $500 range.

Google Bird Watching Internet Sites and read up on their recommendations for mid priced binoculars. That is your best source of information. When it comes to optics deer hunters are about your worst source of information because we tend to gravitate towards what is in a sporting goods store not a camera store. So you are going to get a bunch of the standard 30% Vortex is awesome and another 30% Leupold recommendations. On the high end you are going to hear Swaro. On the birding sites you are going to also hear Swaro but there are a LOT of good binoculars that cost less and you'll get to read all about them.