Compact Binoculars Recommendations

what are the best binoculars?

I want to get a pair of binoculars with a zoom for birdwatching. Can someone recommend the best ones to get? I’ve heard that the zoom is just a gimmick that doesn’t work well. Any personal experience and recommendations? I want something fairly compact and light.

For bird watching almost all birders will agree, I think, that either 8 power or 10 power are the best. Most will select 8 power because of the wider field of view which is important when trying to find the bird in the field of view among the clutter of tree limbs or even flying across the sky. Stability of the image is important and above 10 power the image tends to shake so much that a tripod is recommended.

I have both 8 power and 10 power and I prefer the 8 power. Zoom is not a gimmick but in binoculars it is impractical because of image shake. If you want zoom, it is best to get a spotting scope with a tripod. An inexpensive spotting scope with zoom is this one.

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Christophers/category_name/4E42GTNES8B58JFF5C943TT2R6/product_id/K65SS

I took it to Ecuador with me and was quit satisfied. You will also have to purchase a tripod to use with it the little tripod that it comes with is worthless.

As for binoculars, how much do you wish to pay?

The very best cost well over $1700. But I do not own such a pair. Seems like a waste of money to me. For the extra money I can finance a trip to South America.

This pair is inexpensive, fairly compact, water proof and fog proof, has a decent field of view and is marginally adequate if you wear glasses. What it does not have is a locking diopter adjustment. A refinement found in more expensive binos.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3623

This pair is more expensive but has a somewhat wider field of view and a closer focus.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4144

If you are not on a budget, then these are among the best that do not cost an arm and a leg. They do have locking diopter adjustment. I took this pair to Estonia.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4449

If you want a very compact pair, you will have to sacrafice eye relief.

Here is a good pair.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4487

compact binoculars