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I've added Tasco Essentials 10x50 zip binocs to the mix too. They are old stock that never got used so manufacturing may be slightly different now. (I forgot to mention that the Dick Smith binocs I bought to replace my broken pair have useless soft lens covers compared to the hard plastic they use to come with).
These Tascos are about as sharp or maybe a fraciton less so compared the Dick Smiths but show nebulosity around Eta Car better. (That ruby filter on the DSEs really is a double edged sword). Unfortunately the Tascos don't have a tripod mount, and they don't hold their focus terribly well (a bit of pressure on the eyepiece will push them out, so holding them just against or even slightly away from the eyes is best, but this can become tiring compared to resting the rubber against your eyes sockets). They don't have horrid red coatings. Pity that they cost USD25 but due to "manufacturer restrictions" most US merchants won't sell to Aus. (At one point they even had a twin pack for that price with the 10x50s and some smaller 8x21s) Here they cost anywhere upwards of AUD82.95 locally with RRP quoted as AUD129.
As I said you can pay a lot of money in Aus for $25 binocs.
I bought mine for $31 plus $13 shipping but it turned out there was what appeared to be a chip in the glass on one of the eyepieces. So the seller refunded by money except shipping and told me to keep them. The problem doesn't seem to affect night viewing anywhere near as much as day.
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