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Offering what we believe to be the best balance of performance and price, the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 is the best choice for those looking to invest in a quality pair of optics. Their high-quality glass created some of the brightest and clearest images we came across in our testing. The only models that we found to be better than the Viper HD in our image quality testing retail above a couple of thousand dollars. They also boast a 6.5-foot close focus range and are comfortable in hand, with a nice supple focus knob and an overall weight that's on the lighter side for a full-sized pair of optics.
The Viper HD has one major downside: a high price. They certainly aren't cheap. However, if you're looking for high-end optical quality without spending a couple of thousand dollars on the premium models, we think the Viper HD is the best choice. 

OutdoorGearLab

Offering what we believe to be the best balance of performance and price, the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 is the best choice for those looking to invest in a quality pair of optics. Their high-quality glass created some of the brightest and clearest images we came across in our testing. The only models that we found to be better than the Viper HD in our image quality testing retail above a couple of thousand dollars. They also boast a 6.5-foot close focus range and are comfortable in hand, with a nice supple focus knob and an overall weight that's on the lighter side for a full-sized pair of optics.
The Viper HD has one major downside: a high price. They certainly aren't cheap. However, if you're looking for high-end optical quality without spending a couple of thousand dollars on the premium models, we think the Viper HD is the best choice. 
Read more: Vortex Viper HD 8x42 review

bazaarvoice

Wirecutter

Compact binocs aren’t the best for birding, but these combine pocket-size convenience with enough magnification to actually identify things.

Binocular Comparison