I have an old pair of Brunton binoculars in 8X32 mm. Not bad but nowhere near as good as my larger, heavier, medium sized 8 X 42 Pentax binoculars. But the lighter Bruntons go backpacking if I still need binos.
This 8X32 size is considered the correct size for hunters. Not too large or heavy and enough power for glassing without apparent shake and the 32 mm objective is large enough to give good clarity. (The larger the objective lens the more difficult it is to achieve good edge-to-edge clarity.)
>I recommend ONLY nitrogen or argon filled waterproof binoculars with FULLY MULTI-COATED lenses. It is important that those exact words describe the lens coating. This means that ALL surfaces of ALL lenses are properly coated with color correcting and anti-reflective coatings that are electronically "ion deposited" on the lenses. Not every lens gets the same type of coating. It depends on their location in the barrels of the binocular. But they ALL must be coated.
>Of course if you are a birder or price is no object be sure to get ED lenses (Extra-low Dispersion) Do not fall for the popular term "HD lenses". They may be good but are not ED quality.
>If you wear glasses get pull-up lens cups.
>The best view is when you see the scenery as a BIG CIRCLE. Slowly squeeze the barrels together until this happens.
>Shield the sides of your eyes with your thumbs when holding the binoculars. This keeps out much ambient light and the picture appears clearer.
-Nikon makes some very good moderately priced binoculars.
-Cabelas sells Meopta binoculars under their own name.
-Meopta are Czech made binoculars as good as Leica or Zeiss but for a LOT less money. Their glass is ED.
