Premium grade,
best binoculars have always been expensive, but, lately, these high grade binoculars have been getting even more expensive. In part, it is the continuing imbalance between the dollar and the euro, since most, but not all,
premium grade binoculars come out of Europe. In part, it is also new developments in binocular technology with ED, HD and other super high performance glass now finding their way into binoculars. This does make a difference in performance - this new breed of
super binoculars are even better performers than the standard version of only a few years, ago - but, oh, they are expensive. My bank account would need some serious therapy before I could bring one of these great
birding binoculars, home. Are these super binoculars worth it? That's a subjective question, of course, but if you are an optics nut like me, it is so hard to put one of these down and, when I can't put a binocular, down, I know I am in serious trouble.