You sound like a good candidate for the web site for Better View Desired.
You can click to it from the links page at the Tweeters web site. BVD
has extensive and excellent reviews of all the better binoculars and
scopes. These can be read online, downloaded, or you can refer to
previous issues of BVD. The author is often quoted in ads in Wild
Bird and other birder mags, and will even consult for you. Locally,
there are the experts at Captains Nautical on 15 ave NW.

Bob Mauritsen
rhm at ms.washington.edu

---------------------------

On Tue, 24 Dec 1996, Teresa Michelsen wrote:

> Hi folks, for Christmas this year I have asked for just one thing - a
> binocular upgrade. I have a very nice, small pair of Zeiss 8x25's, but it
> is often a bit dark and I would like a pair with better light-gathering
> capability. I have searched through the Tweeters archives and found
> discussions on scopes and mid-range binoculars (under $300), but not what I
> am looking for. I would like to ask your advice on a few things, since the
> amount of information available is somewhat overwhelming and few stores have
> a wide selection compared to what is available mail-order. We are looking
> in the $700 - $1000 range. Here are my preferences:
>
> 1. Lightweight and streamlined (very important)
> 2. Excellent quality optics with good light-gathering ability (have been
> looking at 30-50's)
> 3. Magnification 8-12
> 4. Good near-field focus
> 5. Weather-resistance and rubberized exterior
>
> I am very interested in the stabilized models. I have only seen one in a
> store, priced about $1000 (7x35). The positive effect when I tried them out
> was really significant and surprising. However, for that price, the optics
> weren't quite as good as some of the others (e.g. 8x45's). There didn't
> seem to be any models that combined the wider lenses with image
> stabilization. The salesman ventured the thought that the image
> stabilization made up for the difference, that most people can't make best
> use of the optics in the high-priced models because they can't hold them
> steady enough to see the details that you can see with a stabilized image.
> I'm torn between the two. Any thoughts on 1) brands/models that meet the
> above criteria, 2) better optics vs. image stabilization, and 3) mail-order
> vs. what can be found at Tall's or other camera shops you know of in the
> Seattle area?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
>
> Teresa Michelsen
> tcmnem at halcyon.com
>
>