Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

Most birders use 8X42, many excellent models out there. A great binocular was Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42, but they are out of business. I now recommend that you look at Vortex, they have excellent products over a large price range. Some models are better if you use eyeglasses. 10X42 will give you a little more power, but be careful, they are hard for some folks to hold still. 10X50 will let in more light and are better for dark days, but generally they are heavier, and again hard to hold still. I would generally avoid anything over 10X hand held unless you are really steady. I have seen image stabilized binoculars, and a friend had a pair, but they are heavy, get to be a burden if carried all day. For the money I really like Vortex Viper, they are expensive, but they should last a lifetime under normal use. Should repair be necessary, many times Vortex will repair without charge. Another consideration, if birding in the woods, 10 power is almost too much power, makes it harder to find those small birds. I personally use Vortex Viper 8X42 if in woods, and Vortex Viper 10X42 for observing ducks, etc, on open water. I also use Vortex Viper spotting scope if you do not mind hauling a tripod around.

pendennis

You may want to look at B&H. You can choose magnification, objective, price, etc., to suit your needs. I trust the feedback from their customers on all my purchases from them, and B&H (like Adorama, Cameta) all have great reputations.

I've used a pair of old Bushnell 7x50's for a lot of years, and they still do the job. I also have a pair of 16x50 Pentaxes, but the 16x requires support a lot.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

I have a set of Nikon 10x50 to which I managed to fasten an arca-swiss plate to and use it with a monopod (or with a tripod depending on what you are doing - the as plate allows this). None of this hand held stuff. The monopod makes the binoculars much easier and steadier to use. I bought them 25 years ago and they still perform better than some more modern ones that have better (?) specs but are cheaper. So my advice is don't skimp on price and look towards mounting them securely.
Next time I have the camera out I will photograph the bracket - I don't know why manfs don't design them so they can be mounted.
Although I usually find the monopod to be satisfactory with the as plate they can be quickly be dismounted for hand use (we use them to watch penguins so movement isn't so important). And you can cover quite a wide view with the monopod. If you mount a friction controlled ballhead you get an even greater movement area.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

The Vortex Diamondback binoculars are great in their price range and are very close focusing and sure their other models are also of good quality! My wife and I each have a pair close at hand where we can view the surroundings outside and they are about six years old and we use them almost daily. They are warranted to the original owners forever against almost anything except theft and we have had lost eye covers replaced several times. We also have two pairs of Vanguards which we keep in our little Road Trek camper van and have had no problems with those either, but unfortunately do not use them nearly as often!

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

I have a pair of "Leupold, Cascades" 8 x 42 with a field of 6.5 deg. Great for birding. 8 x 42 is supposedly the holy grail of birding glasses. 50+ tends to be heavier and requires a steadier hand to focus clearly to get a good view. These are light weight, 100% waterproof and cost ~$300.00
Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Ron

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Couple of pictures here showing how I attached an Arca-Swiss plate to my Nikon 10x50 binoculars. The brass bit showing had a plastic cover over it which had to go for the sake of making the contact patch as wide as possible. The plate is curved around the center bearing and held on with 2 screws drilled and tapped into the end plate of the binoculars - it was a simple job. The pictures show the binoculars wide open and fully closed. In use the plate is offset but that doesn't seem to alter the using experience. It had to be that way to preserve clearance when fully closed to fit the bag. Once you have used them on a monopod you will find that this becomes the preferred way to use them. Unless you are in a very fluid situation and need total mobility.

Just Shoot Me Loc: Ithaca, NY

Nicely done! I would have never thought of that.