Are cheap Amazon binoculars (under $50) good enough for hiking?

For casual day hikes and scenic overlooks, very budget compacts like the Occer 12x25 and Aurosports 10x25 are repeatedly described as acceptable starter optics. Specialist binocular subreddit threads consistently warn, however, that high magnification paired with a small objective (12x25) produces a tiny exit pupil, more eye fatigue, and shakier images. If you plan to actually identify birds or wildlife, reviewers steer buyers toward 8x42 models in the $90–$150 range instead.