OP, not all optics are created equal, even from the same manufacturer, at the same quality level.
If you're ordering online, then you're at the mercy of "luck of the draw."
I have gone through several binos over the decades, and there are some brands that always produce predictably consistent quality.
But as you mention, they're very expensive.
My last pair of Swarovski binos was stolen, and it hurt a lot. Not just financially, but because of who stole them.
I learned the hard way not to purchase optics, such as binoculars, without looking through them first.
Go to the store you intend to purchase the binos from and ask to look through a couple of different pairs from each type you're interested in.
If they decline, go somewhere else, if it's possible.
Then set up the binoculars so you can look through each side, with one eye closed, and the image is still sharp when adjusting the focus at different distances. You will find this is impossible with some binos. However, they may still be OK for different eyes.
You want the eyepiece lenses to be at least 15mm in diameter, even though your eye can only use 5mm of the lens at any point.
The rear eyepiece lens is "flat" with a concave surface inside to accept a convex lens. This makes it possible for your eye to use most of a 15mm lens with clear, sharp focus, without it being perfectly centered on the lens.
Large diameter objective lenses are nice, but if there are good rare earth coatings to help attract light, not needed as much as lenses without the coatings. This is usually where the extra cost of binos comes into the equation.
My present binos are Zeiss Terras, 10x40mm. They are excellent, all around and very robust, without being too heavy to carry with me on a hunt.
I checked out 4 pairs before purchasing this set. All of them were OK if you just wanted to view scenery, but only one was good enough to be able to determine antler tines on a spike buck at 300 yds, on a clear day of course.
Bird watchers are insanely meticulous about good quality glass for viewing "birds." Even more meticulous about camera lenses.
I've seen them with a variety of manufacturer's products, and they're almost always excellent.
I've seen some cheap Tasco brand binos that will rival some of the best binos available, but they're few and far between and usually not as robust.
If it's possible for you, go to a store, and check out the binos, in the price rang you're comfortable with, but compare them side by side, so you're happy with what you're getting.
