"It is extremely difficult to hold a pair of 10x, or higher power steady enough to see well with them, without using a tripod."
Stieners are pretty good for the money with a perma focus that is convenient. Some models are very bright by achieving a factor of 5 or higher when dividing the low power into the high, example 8x30 divided =3.75, 7x35 divided = 5. 8x56 divided =7.
Beyond quality of glass the higher factor will give better low light performance. A normal human eye equals a factor of 5 so matching or exceeding this will give good low light viewing. Aging eyes are often better served by a higher factor.
Many older hunters swear by 7x50 and 8x56 for this reason.
