Binoculars?

[fleshdunce]

For some casual bird watching? A buddy of mine and I have a canoe and like to go out for a trip on the water to see what we can see. Thinkin bout pickin up some binoculars for it. Tryin to do a lil research online and seems that these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4004900&CAWELAID=477400189) are a real good buy for beginners. The fact that they are water/fogproof really appeals to me as I wouldn't want something like that to break my stuff.

Anyone have any experience with such things? Would love to hear if ya think thats a good buy.

[raisindot]

I think your choice of the Nikon is probably a good one for canoing. 8x40 is a good compromise between seeing birds "close up" and having a lens along enough to let a decent amount of light in. With any higher magnification, you might have stability problems, particularly in a boat. And if you go for a longer lens length, say, a 50 or 60, it'll get pretty heavy.

At home I use a 8X25, which is a pretty good backyard birder, but I just got a very cheap Bushness 16x32 because I wanted good closeup views of birds at my feeders. The latter does give the views, but it's very shakey and doesn't bring in a very bright image...it's good for mid-morning to late afternoon viewing.

Jeff in Boston

You might want to get this one and then get a very inexpensive

[Jim]

I like these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4039350&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520)better in that price-

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pDSP1-7370145p275w.jpg

And a few bucks more for the 8x30's- a big upgrade these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3356732&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520)

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5388676p275w.jpg

[Alaskan Eagle]

I like these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4039350&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520)better in that price-

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pDSP1-7370145p275w.jpg

And a few bucks more for the 8x30's- a big upgrade these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3356732&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520)

http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5388676p275w.jpg

+1 on the Leupolds! I got a pair for hunting and I love them. Very comfortable to look through for many hours of glassing. IIRC they were fairly inexpensive as far as good binoculars go.

[David6Eagle]

Nikon glass is super, giving a razor sharp image.