I think you聮re in the right ballpark, Bryan. Nikon聮s 8×42 Monarch ATBs (US$340, A$450; www.nikonsportoptics.com) and Browning聮s 8x42s (US$260, A$345; www.browningsportsoptics.com) are lightweight, durable, waterproof, and have above-average optics for clarity and good performance in moderately low light. I聮d probably give the Nikon a slight nod for optical quality, but I聮m not sure you聮d notice that much difference unless you were trying to count nose hairs on said sambur deer. For the uninitiated, sambur are large deer with a three-point antler introduced into Australia and similar areas by settlers.
Nikon Sports and Marine 7x50 Binoculars
Sports and Marine 7×50 Binoculars
You might benefit from either a little more pull or better light-gathering. For the former, Nikon聮s 10×42 Monarch ATBs (US$380, A$505) are only a few dollars more and offer 25 percent better magnification than the 8×42 model. Browning makes a similar binocular, again for only slightly more dough. And, interestingly, the 8×42 models actually are slightly heavier. Binoculars with a 50mm objective diameter will gather a bit more light than those with 42mm, so Nikon聮s 7×50 Sports and Marine binocular (US$368, A$489) offers that attribute in a waterproof set. I聮d also look at the new 10×40 Predator Pro by Steiner (US$400, A$532; www.steiner-binoculars.com), which are waterproof and have optics designed to make wildlife stand out against green backgrounds. I really like Steiners聴they聮re well-made, with excellent glass.
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