I was bought a £30 pair from Amazon for my birthday last year. I’m not a discerning bino user by any means but they are perfectly fine and clear and nice to use.

I really don’t think you need to spend megabucks for a usable pair.

Edit- looked up the ones I’ve got: Kylietech 12 X 42

We’ve got a pair of the Olympus DPS-1 for garden bird watching. Pretty good. I’ve also got some opticron savanna 8 x 32 for walking etc., because they are a bit lighter and more compact. Also pretty good. About £110. The Olympus have a wider field of vision, but the Opticrons don’t seem lacking in that department. I think you would have to spend a lot more to see a big improvement.

Sorry for the slight hijack but can anyone explain the benefits of binos over the monocular (so powerful it should be illegal)

Thanks

Have a look here https://www.tringastro.co.uk/binoculars-13-c.asp
There’s some useful advice on that page along with a good range and decent prices. I’ve used them before without any problems.

My wife has these which are a bit above your budget but not excessively.
https://www.tringastro.co.uk/celestron-nature-dx-8×42-binoculars-4376-p.asp

We were so impressed with them for the price we bought my father the 10×42 versions and I upped the budget for myself and bought these https://www.tringastro.co.uk/celestron-trailseeker-ed-10×42-binocular-17961-p.asp

They’ve performed well for the price including a trip to the jungle where light levels aren’t great.

Other than Celestron I’d be happy with anything from Opticron as the ones I have tried have been great.