You have several options here. The first is how much power you want. Ideal for good 聯pull” is a ten-power binocular (such as a binocular labeled 10X50聴I聮ll get to the second number momentarily). But ten-power glasses can sometimes be tricky to hold for long periods of time聴you magnify shaky hands as well as the moose you聮re looking at, so the image can be unstable. So for a little easier all-around viewing, glasses that are seven- or eight-power are fine. As for the second number, that聮s the lens diameter and relates to how much light goes through to your eyes. The higher the number, the wider the diameter, and the brighter the image.
Brunton Echo 8X25 Compact Binoculars
Echo 8X25 Compact BinocularsI聮m not wild about zoom binoculars. Unless you spend a lot of money, the image quality isn聮t that good.
The other big decision is whether to get compact or full-sized binoculars. Obviously, the issue is whether you want to carry something big, or a little smaller. The trade-off is that larger ones are easier to hold.
So, which binocular? In a standard model, Nikon聮s 7X50 Action Porro Prism binoculars (www.nikonsportoptics.com) offer a lot of bang for the buck聴they can be had for about $70. You聮ll get good optics and a bright image, and they聮re comfortable to hold. For more power try some of Pentax聮s 10X50 XCF binoculars ($90; www.pentax.com). I use a pair for bird-watching from my office, and they work well.
In a compact, Steiner聮s 8X22 Safari ($100; www.steiner-binoculars.com) is an excellent pair of binoculars with very sharp optics. And although the lens diameter isn聮t that great, they聮re fine for daytime viewing. I carry a pair in a backpack and like them very much. Brunton聮s new Echo 8X25 Compact binoculars ($100; www.brunton.com), which are waterproof, also are worth a look.
Ideally, you visit a store that has several models so you can peak through them and see what is most comfortable to hold and look through. And you can easily discern better optics by focusing on the same object and then looking at it through several pairs.
Have a great trip!
Check out this year聮s more than 400 must-have gear items, including , in the 2006 Buyer聮s Guide.