I have the Opticron 8 x 42 (8.2 degree) and they have bad distortion (seagull shaped stars) for the last 20 % of the field but the remainder of the image is good. For Ł40 I paid they are more than adequate. I got them as I had to return a pair of 12 x 50 Pentax PCF WP II's which had large spikes showing on the brightest stars and were unusable for astro work (they did however maintain sharpness out to the edge of field). Obviously these faults are impossible to check in daylight so if you can purchase at a local store it makes an exchange much easier. Good luck.
Martin