The new "buzz word" in
binoculars, these days, is a label of
HD or ED. These special optical glass objectives supposedly offer better color correction, hence better definition and contrast, though the claims are typically exaggerated by the binocular marketing folks. It's the binocular trickle down effect at work, with more and more low and mid-priced
binoculars boasting ED or HD in the product label. I've seen this effect at work in the binocular market over the years with other optical advances, such as full multi-coating, phase-correction coating (PC) on roof prisms, waterproofing and so on. All of these binocular features were originally introduced on the most expensive binoculars, but over time trickled down to the lower end of the binocular market. All in all, today's
binocular, no matter what the price, is better than ever.