As I alluded to in some other thread, I will probably not find out if the Pentax ED 10x43, now selling for over 1000, is better. I suspect these two will be very similar.
I started of actually with Nikon Sporter 10x36 (dim), then Nikon Monarch 10x42, then Zeiss Conquest 10x40. Somehow I never could get used to the Zeiss, I used the Monarchs.
Then I had the Monarchs and the Pentax. The Pentax SP in fact was not sharper in the middle, much the same. Overall it beat the Monarchs. I may still use them, they have a good warranty.
So here I am with the Promaster 10x. It is better than the Pentax. I had some dipter issues...I have those with nearly all 10x models...but settled on a setting with the Pentax. I am comfortable with them. With Promaster I did not even need to mess with the diopter. Close to zero does it.
The Promaster are bright. I have no issues with them so far. Eye cups are solid. I can get a tiny bit of blackouts if I try hard. There is some stray light. Don't look at light bulbs and suns. CA is minimal.
I followed a couple of bald eagles over the river. One was pretty close. I kept up with them, not needing to refocus until it was over the river and small.
They seem solid enough. Leather case. Strap is on the wimpy side...not the most elegant looking, I may change that.
Brightness: I could not decide that they were brighter than the Pentax. They were not dimmer either.
I may be happy withe these for quite a while. I think there is really nothing under 1000 dollars that can beat these. Pentax ED maybe. Minox maybe. Meopta?
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/meopta/meopta-meostar-10x42-binocular