My local gun shop/sporting goods outfitter is running a sale on Burris Landmark 8x32mm roof prism binoculars for $39.99. It must be some kind of factory close-out deal, so probably many other stores around the country will have them too. Cabelas has the Burris Landmark II 8x32mm binoc listed at $139.95, just to put the price in perspective.

I bought a pair, and some friends of mine bought them too. They're made in China, but they are rubber armored, and come with the case and strap, and have a one year warranty. I can't say they're the best binocs I've ever tried, but they're certainly the best $40 binocs I've seen. FWIW.

You ever wonder why all of a sudden you can get $140 binoculars for $40? They weren't for serious use when they came out and they ain't for serious use now that they cost $40.

You won't mistake the Landmark 8x32's for $300 to $400 binocs, but the optical quality isn't all that bad. They're about as good as any I've tried in the mid $100 range. They're fairly bright and sharp at a distance. They also focus down to at least 10 to 12 feet, if that means anything to you.

I don't know how well they'll hold up for long term use, but it never hurts to have an extra pair of cheaper binocs around for a loaner for someone else to use. You might not want to do that with your more expensive ones.

I've got a pair a friend gave me. He bought two of the Burris scopes and they came with the scope. I also thing there pretty good optics for the hundred dollar range.

Course with failing eyesight I could be wrong. I have some Pentex binocs I also like along with a couple of Simmons 2.8 to 10 AETEC scopes that I think are excellent.

Got to say I'm not the buyer of the expensive scopes, even the Leapold prices are a bit scary for me any more.