Cheap binoculars -- Apogee?

OK, I've decided to get a modest pair of low-power binoculars -- like 7x50, BAK4b, decent coatings. The Pentax gets great reviews but is $130 after rebate (which I often forget to send in). For $70, are the new Apogee Astro-vues OK? I thik they only have multi-coated objectives. The only review I could find (of a more expensive higher-powered one) was decent. I don't care at all about the filters. There is also the regular Nikon Action; I've only seen reviews of the Action Extreme. I can't find much info on the optics of the Action -- I don't think they also only have multi-coated objectives. Oberwerk has the 8x56. Their web site says fully multi-coated. Hard to come by out west here though (OPT has the Apogees), and I'd like something this week for a trip next week.

I'd avoid Apogee and the Nikon Action non-Extreme versions. What about Orion? They have fast shipping and some good quality ones in the same price range.

Hugh Bartlett
Oakland, CA

Thanks all for the excellent advice. I've tried to do as much research as possible, but I still have lots to learn.

A problem has always been not being able to try things under under the stars, and some return policies aren't that great. I live near Scope City though, and this week they're open late, so maybe I'll swing by and see if I can take a pair or two outside -- then I might get an idea of the difference between a good pair and a cheap pair.

Thanks again to everyone for the great advice! I think I'll be able to make a better choice. I see some interesting options in the classifieds here. I called around locally and no one seems to stock anything I'm looking for.

Not sure if I should put this in a different post, but one question: I've understood that porro prisms are superior to roof prisms, especially in the lower price range. Scope City has a pair of Barska 9x63 and Parks 8x42 with roof prisms, both fully multi-coated. I trust the Parks more than the Barska, but should I consider either?

Stopped by Scope City and tried a few pair, but unfortunately the transparency was lousy and there was too much light from the store to see much. Most of the eyecups let in too much stray light, and I was disappointed to find most of the eyecups quite uncomfortable. In fact, the most comfortable ones were the cheap Bushnell and other brands at Big5.

I don't know what my problem is, as I tried a 7x50, 8x42, and 9x63, and I couldn't seem to hold any of them steady. Of course, I was standing, and I'm judging this based on a bright star. On DSOs and dimmer stars it doesn't seem to be as much of a problem though (based on my observations with my cheap little binoculars last week).

Anyway, thanks for all the great advice. I don't know what I'll get yet but hopefully will figure it out soon.

OK guys, we are all entitled to our opinions, and it appears you get what you pay for. Hopefully this is all just unbridled enthusiasm, but let's keep things "happy" this time of year!