I got a good pair for a lot less than $99 at Harbor Freight.
Yer right, 2K is crazy.
At lower magnification you won’t notice much difference, but at high magnification the cheap optics will be dim and fuzzy. Some of your more expensive binoculars will also have image stabilization and maybe even range finding capability. You can’t hit what you can’t see. Granted, you’re not going to take a shot at an elk at 1,000 yards, but if you can see him out that far, you’ll have a better chance to change your position to make a shot when he comes within range.