Hey Guys and Gals,
I got to say the 4 pairs of binos I have bought were not more than $25 (New). I had bought a 10x70 from Aldi for $25 (zoom lenses and all) but the eyepieces were really distorting the image. I had unscrewed the objectives out and added them to another pair of 10 x 50's that I bought from a second hand store, (Rubber coated and case and even a cleaning cloth - $9!!! Bargain). Even the threads on the objectives were the same.
Salvos stores and St.Vinnies are really a great place for starter binos as most people dont use them and give them to chuck.
I paid $25 for Aldi 10 x 70mm,$5 for 10 x 50's at salvos and another at $9, and a pair of 8 x 40 (for the kids) at $4. I think I have cleaned out all the local second hand stores of them for the next few years.
Not bad all together I think.
Have fun , learn the sky and never look back.
Then find a whole new world when you buy a scope !.
Note : You can even pull the eyepeices from the binos (because they cost you practically nothing), and tape them to a film cannister, to make a cheap eyepeice.