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Dave, on the cloudy nights bino forum skymasters are not well regarded, and in australia some retailers have them for high prices.(though the japan made 9x63 skymasters are the 1 good one)
when you look at 9x63 vs 15x70 you are comparing unmounted to mounted..you can't really hold 15x70's too much magnification wobble
Pentax make some nice binos but they often have a limited fov - but most are waterproof & sharp close to the edge.
are the orion 9x63 japan made? the japanese ones should be ok, your friend could laos look at the garrett optical site - the 10x50 or 7x50 sig series are well regarded.
if you want them for scanning the sky 7x50(10x50) or 9x63 are the way to go..15x70 to hone in & catch some detail.
Do you live in light polluted areas??if so you will not get more light than a 5mm exit pupil allows (eg 50/10 - 5mm, 50/7 = 7.1)
IN the US the nikon action extreme is also well regarded & can be had at much lower prices than in australia..visit cloudy nights - goto the bino forum & look thru all the reviews of the ones on your list
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