8x 42 binos???
I am looking at the Vortex viper HD or the Zeiss Terra ED.

Which will stand up to abuse better and which is the better glass?

I think you'll find the Viper HD to be superior to the Terra ED in every aspect

Yes...they are.

And Vortex Bino's are far better than their Scopes, IME.

I was quite unimpressed with the Terra ED that I looked through. Could have been a bad pair as they were the optics counter demo, but I was really surprised at how unimpressed I was.