Jon has the best prices I've seen on Nikon optics. Nikons are probably the best buy for the money IMHO but if you're out in the elements it's hard to beat the Rain Guard B&L and Bushnell have. Will Leicia, Zeiss, and Swaroski be better? Yes but how much better I can't say. Poro prism binos cost less and have better depth perception than roof prism ones. You have to have phase coated roof prism binos to compete with poro types. Roof types are easier to hold and are more compact. For $800 your friend could buy decent compact and fulll size Nikon or B&L binos.