Sorry to being getting late into the discussion of what are the best
binoculars for under $100. But I had ordered a pair of new
binoculars with strong spec's and a very low price, and did not want
to suggest them until I had received and evaluated them. Well, I
received them this week, and wow!

The binoculars I was seeking needed objectives large enough for
astronomy, very good optics, and yet are small and light enough to be
used for general viewing. The other, smaller binoculars I own and
use are by Zeiss and Steiner. I reviewed a host of binoculars with
objectives larger than 50mm and 10-15 in power in the quest. Without
going in to all the others I looked at, I ordered a pair of Burgess
15x70 binoculars, cannot believe how well they perform, and they cost
only $99!

I was initially skeptical that any binocular of this size in this
price range would be a good performer. But the Burgess 15x70 has BAK
4 prisms, multi-coated lenses that Burgess Optical refers to as UHTC
(Ultra High Transmission Coating), good eye relief for eyeglass
wearers(about 15-17 mm), a wide field of view that is 4.4 degrees
with eyepieces with an apparent field view of over 60 degrees,
rubberized coating for comfort and feel, very smooth (brass) focuser,
foldable eye cups, light weight (about 2+ lbs), only 10.5 inches
(26.7 cm) tall by 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide, wide neck strap, soft
carrying case and lens cloth.

Burgess Optics has just come out with a line of binoculars that are
similarly spec'd with BAK 4 prisms, UHTC coatings, and some are even
nitrogen filled and waterproof. Their web site should you want to
see them is: www.burgessoptical.com

David