In 1960, Daddy agreed to let me have a binocular.
Our neighbor, an old man had let me use his and I was hooked. We went down to Ft.Walton Bch. and checked out Jimmie’s Pawn Shop which was really much more than that. It also handled high end sporting goods.
We checked out a new $20 binocular and a used one at the same price. The used one was a Nippon Kogaku, probably traded in by an airman at Eglin who had been to Japan.
The used one was way superior. It was a 7x35 and might still be better than all but the best but I accidentally left it on top of my car after doing some shooting at my Father-in-Laws property. I actually made it a couple of miles over rough logging road and turned onto the highway when I heard it bounce then saw it in the rear view mirror.
One side was broken so I sawed it in two and still use it as a monocular.
Around 1968 I bought a Nikon 7X50 Prostar. I still have it and use it tho the covering has worn where I hold it.
It is extremely sharp but I have arthritis in both shoulders and my hands and can only hold the Prostar for a short time so I want a new one that will be lighter.
If you can get out, try several brands in a large store, and then sure the net for your *best buy*. Best of fun in your search.
Interesting experience.
Nipon Kogaku was the original name of Nikon. So you have stuck with the same excellent brand.
Still have one of their excellent rangefinder 35mm cameras, a copy of the German Contax RF.
Did you purchase that in Viet Nam? I ask because still have mine from there.