We have all been there before. New to the sport and realizing that the cost of getting all the tools necessary is putting s serious strain on the finances and the marriage...Kidding. There are many boxes to check when first getting into the sport, but good optics are something that will drastically increases your chances at success. I know you are saying to yourself, "Sounds great and all, but how the hell do I afford a $400 pair of optics and still pay my rent?" Well you can do one of two things. First, sell your kidney because you have two of them and buy the $400 pair. OR, start with a cost-effective pair of optics, because you are going to beat the hell out of them anyways.
If you are leaning towards option 2, we have got the optics for your. The Bushnell Powerview 10x50 Porro Prism Binoculars are a killer optic for your price point. Coming in hot at $69.99 you will have plenty of money left over for beer, whiskey and the real important things in life...like your wife. My tip is to use some of the money you saved a score a vortex optics binocular mount and a lightweight vanguard tripod. You can thank we later when your stabilized system is beating out your buddy trying to glass while hand-holding his $1200 optics. In all honesty, these were my first pair of optics and I still love them to this day. The moral of the story is focus on your system. Often times the binos are only the first piece of the puzzle.
Bushnell Powerview 10x50 Porro Prism Binoculars
Just doing some spotting.