On more than one occasion I've regretted that my kit didn't contain a nice pair of compact binoculars.
This morning for example I saw 3 eagles feeding on the river and my 40mm Pentax was tatally inadequate for the challenge.
Suggestions anyone?

Thank You

Mike, take a look at the Nikon compact series. Don't remember what they're called now, but I have a pair of 7x25's and got a pair for my son last year. They are small, sharp, bright and cost about $75-$80 US on the web. I looked at a lot, but these were well made and have held up well over the years. The newer pair I got my son are lighter in weight and the same for great image quality. I used them for hunting and now for packing and hiking while taking pictures. You won't regret the money, well spent and a great value for the cost. tim

I'd do a bit of research and try a few things.... I took the time to and ended up with different rigs than I likely would have initially. I found that, in general, the Pentax and Nikon offerings had the nicest glass in the "affordable" range of things. In the compacts, I ended up with a set of Leupold 9X25 that I've never regretted getting. They're likely not for everybody as they focus individually and at the front but I became accustomed to them quite quickly. If you wear glasses, be especially aware of the wide range of eye relief distances on various models. If budget isn't an issue, you'd enjoy the good, German glass but some very affordable Japanese units are surprisingly close in real world performance.

Thanks for the advice Tim & Graig.
My local camera shop has a pair of Baush & Lomb "Legacy" that were returned because of a mar in the rubberized coating.The manager is letting me use them for a week before I decide to purchase.
Reg.price $145.00. He wants $30.00.

Mike, how heavy are they? What power? Exit pupil is the front/rear lens and becomes a factor in lower light. Comfortable? Easy to use? The price is right! tim

Hi Tim,
Here's a photo of the binoculars.
They are 8x25, multi-coated lenses and rubberized.Fit nicely into a P&S camera case or my top pocket.

Mike

I find that binoculars are an important accessory. Very often problems like small unnoticed distracting elements become apparent when an image is enlarged. If one first views the scene through binoculars then such problems can be spotted. Using laser rangefinder binoculars or monocular can be helpful for hyperfocals, DOF and even determining if a hike might be too far or if some other obstacle might present itself.

I find that binoculars are an important accessory. Very often problems like small unnoticed distracting elements become apparent when an image is enlarged. If one first views the scene through binoculars then such problems can be spotted. Using laser rangefinder binoculars or monocular can be helpful for hyperfocals, DOF and even determining if a hike might be too far or if some other obstacle might present itself.

I could not agree more with Early Riser on the hiking bit. At least one person in your hiking group should have a pair. Last year a pair helped me avoid a bear. I was just looking up the ridge and to find a good path, and there it was. And it was February when most bears are hibernating.

I could not agree more with Early Riser on the hiking bit. At least one person in your hiking group should have a pair. Last year a pair helped me avoid a bear. I was just looking up the ridge and to find a good path, and there it was. And it was February when most bears are hibernating.

Kilgalib, Bears, Moose etc are some of the obstactles that I also use my rangefinder binoculars for although often times you run into critters in dense foliage. However I always like to scan ahead for such dangers with the binoculars. I consider binoculars to be very important. Even an inexpensive pair are useful, however I have discovered that a really good pair has better sharpness detail and light gathering and as i tend to work at dusk or dawn, as do many photographers, better, brighter binoculars are an advantage. The truly great ones are made by the usual suspects, Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski, however Nikon and Pentax make excellent optics that are more affordable.