optics
While I have a number of Leupold riflescopes that I consider better than average, and some Burris riflescopes too, I do not own a really high class set of binoculars. I've worked with some relatively good stuff, but had to give them back to the agency upon retiring.
Quite a few years back, tired of working with cheap bino's that never lasted, and considering it a waste of money to spend on same, I began pressing HQ to buy better stuff. I ended up with a pair of 7x50 Steiner Mil&Marine, which lasted the remainder of my career, some 20 yrs, plus with no issues. They saw all the heavy use that you might think, though I never intentionally abused them. Subject to constant vibration in the patrol car/SUV, hauled in a backpack, out on the river when we had a patrol boat, etc. I used them enough that the rubber armor coat was worn off the frame where they were most handled. Once I left them hanging on a limb, outdoors, for a weekend. Long story, but the weather was wet. Upon realizing my error, I hustled back in there, would they be gone, soaked and ruined.? There they hung, just as I left them, absolutely fine...and for another 10 yrs to boot. We ended up getting several more pairs, but went for 10x50. The extra magnification was useful for LPN's, hull numbers, and making out facial features. But my 7x50's were always brighter in poor light and at night, and you could use them for long periods of time and never get eye strain. But you might get sore muscles, the things were huge and heavy, most useful in the vehicle, or when planted on a watch. Though initial cost was high, we likely spent less over the course of 20 yrs, for good bino's that lasted and were durable, then for $100 models (or less) that went bad in a yr or two.
But I had to give those back, and they were to heavy anyhow for most field and hunting use. My stuff is far less glamorous. A set of Japanese 10x25 bino's that have held up surprisingly well, used mostly in good light in my turkey vest for spotting strutting gobblers. A Burris 20x50 compact spotting scope, traded for, not top shelf either, but works well for bullet holes out to 200 yds. I've also packed that to overlooks to watch for gobblers on ROW's too, and it did OK. An older B&L spotting scope, 30-50x50 (?)a Baush & Lomb, marked Weatherby, and useful enought to score during my brief dabbling in FTR shooting. My GP binoculars for many years was an older set of Japanese Yashica's, 7x35, but they finally went out of phase. Recently I bought a pair of Bushnell 8x42's when a Gander Mtn closed locally. Probably $150.00 binos that I got for a song and I have been pleased with them so far. Carried them a lot this deer season, very useful size in a treestand in the hardwoods, and not to overly bulky to have around your neck when on foot, but I wouldn't want anything bigger for that use.