I believe the BEST answer to your question is more about the SIZE instead of the brand. All of them make excellent products in that price range. Is there a difference in $300 and $1,500 binos? I'm sure there is, but I can't tell in real-world hunting situations in Alabama. I "think" 99.999% of us would agree that 10x42 is the best all around size, especially if you wear the little shoulder/chest harness. So I'd find all the 10x42's in the $300 arena and then see if I could scour the interwebs for a special sale (opticsplanet.com) (eBay)
If you can buy a Nikon, Leupold, Vortex (and similar names) for $300, you'll be 101% happy.
If you can't tell the difference between $300 binos and Swarovski EL binos, you haven't used them in 'real world's hunt I ng situations. The difference in clarity and edge to edge sharpness is startling.
We're talking $300 binos, not Swarovski EL's. The only thing I've ever noticed about idiotically priced "elite name" optics is how much the fellas who have them want to tell you about them. I used to hunt with a man who had a 56mm Steiner (I think that's what it was), for the rest of my life I'll remember that he paid $1,650 for it. "I could sit on the powerline at 8:00 tonight and see deer!!!" Great!...except we're not going to be doing that in a real-world hunting scenario. Was it extremely nice?....oh heck yes. Was it $1,200 better than my 50mm Monarch??...dear Lord no. THAT'S my point. And believe me, I am that guy who is in the tree 45 mins before it even remotely starts getting daylight, and I'm always the last one back after dark. Not ONCE have my optics been insufficient. I'm not in a goober shaking contest about my optics.
I know what the OP's topic is, but you're the one who said there was no difference between $300 and elite name binos in real world hunting situations. I was just responding to your comments, and I didn't even mention low-light performance either. The top end binos will also not cause eye strain as less expensive optics will when viewing for long periods. I have two binoculars, one expensive, top end 10x42 and the other a mid-priced 8x30 binocular. Both will get the job done, but there is a substantial difference in clarity, edge to edge sharpness, low light performance and eye strain between the two. The only advantage of the 8x30's is I prefer the small size when hunting the woods and treestands. Next time I have an extra $2000, I will upgrade these to Swarovski EL 8x32 binos.
You can get good binos for $300-500 which will serve your needs well in most hunting situations. But elite optics do have advantages. Is a $75,000 F-150 Limited worth twice as much as an F-150 work truck? The Limited is more powerful, better ride and more comfortable but both will haul material and get you from point a to b. Like anything else in life, its worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
