My experience comes from many years of hunting. When it comes to optics, you always get what you pay for. 8 power is plenty for scouting or sight seeing. The stronger the power the narrower the field of vision and the need to be even steadier with you hold while viewing. Quality bino's only have to be purchased one time because the ones worth having have lifetime warranties. My personal favorites are leupold gold ring pocket bino's. They are small enough to fold and fit into a tee shirt pocket while still having a neck strap. Because their light weight I always have them around. This model is no longer made but I have seen them on Ebay in the $200 range. Remember no matter how careful you are you will drop your bino's and they will be subjected to moisture.