Greenman

I've been meaning to look into them a little more closely. The investor capital is a red flag, but not necessarily a deal breaker. Something that would increase my confidence would be open source code to demonstrate how they're handling data (e.g. what have they prevented themselves from even having access to in unencrypted form).

Very nicely written.

Agreed. It’s part of what you’re paying for, but Vortex clearly understands that they’re also investing in brand loyalty and reputation.

You get what you pay for with optics, so you really have to find out how sensitive you are to optical quality (sharpness, contrast, color, etc.). Durability is also highly variable between brands, and so is customer service. I recommend looking at Vortex binoculars. They have models at different price points so you can look for something that fits your needs/wants and budget. I think their optical quality, ergonomics, and durability are comparable to the best of what’s out there. They also have a lifetime unconditional warranty and great customer service.

That looks great, congratulations!