I do have the Nikon 10x50 and they were a good deal for around $100 on sale. If you want to spend a bit bore and get something more compact and clearer go with the Leupold Cascades 10x50 for $280

Sportsmans guide will have deals on Steiners, and they are a great product

2 things to remember... the smaller the objective (25mm in your 10x25) the lower the light gathering capabilities... i.e. they aren't as bright as a 10x50 in the same light conditions...(a rule of thumb, of course quality of the lenses and manufacturing play a big part as well)

the other is that the higher the power.. the 10 in your 10x25.. the steadier your hands should be.... just go to a sporting goods store and see if you can hold them still enough.... the difference in 8 vs 10 is more dramatic than you think... anything after 7 power starts to get dicey if your have shaky hands... of course a mono-pod or rest helps.... believe me... a fine pair of 10 power glass can make you seasick if you have the tremors... not a big concern for some of the younger, strong guys on here, and you may be one...but as you age....well, it just sucks..

Doc

And the higher power ones weigh more. So that makes it harder to hold still.

Hey Doc Savage,,,,my son moved to Brandon a yr. ago, He loves it, I don't..

Heh heh heh... Not everyone here loves it... I am a native Floridian, but the way this bedroom community has grown, I am not real happy around here either...I moved out here to get away from Tampa.... although I work for the City of Tampa.... It isn't like it used to be.... it is now one big traffic jam...I wouldn't mind moving to New Mexico... I love it out there....

Doc

Thanks for the info Doc(and others). I have steady hands so that shouldn't be an issue. I am re-considering the 10X25's though wondering if the 25mm isn't too small for lower light conditions.

Hey Doc, I was born in Tampa and am a native Floridian also. Most of my family still lives in and around Tampa. I go back there every once in a while and I just can't believe how it's grown. I grew up in Land O Lakes and even that place is all grown up now...It used to be considered the sticks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hello All,

I am new here, ordered my first ScrapYardDog some weeks ago, but already have five SwampRats around the house.

Enough off topic, focussing on binoculars now.
Three things are to consider, weight, bulk and price. Bulky is cheaper, heavy is cheaper.
I.e. for more money you get roof prisms binoculars, which make for a lighter and less bulky binocular but need a more expensive coating to give a clear image. Cheaper models have porro prisms, which are comparatively inexpensive but more bulky and heavy.

The numbers are not all that counts, e.g. I had the opportunity to compare a small and lightweight Leica Ultravid 8x20 (roof prisms) with a not as small and more bulky Pentax 8x25 UFC WP(porro prisms). Yes, the leica had a crisper and brighter image even though the objective diameter is smaller. The price of course was much higher. That said, the Pentax isn't a bad glass, just the Leica is better even though then umbers would suggest the opposite. Why was the Leica better? It's the coatings and tighter manufacturing tolerances.

Size and/or weight does matter when hiking. Binoculars get heavier if bigger lenses are used to gather more light, that is the case if the objective diameters are bigger. I.e. a 8x20 is much lighter than a 8x40.
The power of a binocular doesnt add significant weight, a 8x40 does not weigh significantly less than a 10x40.

Another thing to consider is waterproofness. but really there is nothing to consider, waterproofness is a must, because it not only keeps the water out, it also keeps the air out and the nitrogen in, otherwise your binocular would easily fog from the inside, and thats nothing you want to have.

If you wear glasses while using the binoculars, you might want a longer eye relief and adjustable eyecups.

If you are going to hunt or to birdwatch, you want high contrast vision, that means you want to gather as much light as possible with your binoculars. A 10x50 or a 8x40 would be a good choice. Both would propably weigh a little more than a pound if the expensive roof prisms are used. With Porro prisms such a binocular is close to two pounds.
Just for hiking, something between 8x20 and 10x25 is a very good choice, they weigh just more than half a pound.

Of course there are always some exotic sizes, like the Pentax 9x28 LV, which could be just right for you.

In any case, go for a reknown optics manufacturer such as
Leica, Zeiss, Nikon, Pentax, Docter, etc. they usualy know how to coate lenses swell.

One more thing, forget about zoom binoculars and binocuilars that could run out of batteries...just my 2 cents.

Best regards,
JoBe

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.

Good advice kevlar..

And Welcome!!!

Welcome to the Yard Kevlar and JoBe. Good advice.

Welcome JoBe...