Thanks to everyone who has sent binocular recommendations. We will not go
shopping for a week or so, so if anyone (Don, where are you?) has
recommendations, I'd still love to hear them.

I have come to the conclusion that image stabilization is a neat technology
whose time has not yet come. After researching this on the internet, it
appears the Canons have some serious drawbacks, not the least of which is
that the optics are only in alignment when the stabilization is on, not when
it's off. You have to hold down a button to keep it on, and the battery
runs out after a while. This wouldn't be so bad if the optics were
relatively good without it, but they're not. Although I have read and
messages posted confirm that the best use of these currently is on pelagic
trips, where image stability is critical and hard to obtain (and standard
binos are next to useless).

We did find the BVD web site, but were frustrated by the fact that only a
few "sample" reviews are available for perusing, and the rest require a paid
subscription to obtain. Since I can't imagine buying binoculars more than
once every 10 years, I don't really want a subscription. The NJ Audubon
Society has a nice web page that provides short reviews of the best
binoculars in EVERY price range, from under $100 to over $1000. I found
this very helpful.

The recommendations for Captain's Nautical and Eagle Optics are especially
appreciated. I had planned to go to Captain's Nautical to get my old
binoculars cleaned anyway, before I hand them off to my husband. I agree
that it is worth supporting local businesses, although I am strictly
mail-order when it comes to computers. My basic feeling is, if you go to a
specialty store and spend a lot of their time perusing different models and
benefiting from their expertise, you should buy from them if they have what
you want. You're paying extra for that expertise and assistance, but the
alternative could have been paying less for an important piece of equipment,
only to find out is wasn't what you really wanted.

I also appreciate the information on optics. I like to know how things work
that I am buying, particularly when they're expensive. I did originally
think that higher magnification would be better, but am rethinking that, and
looking more at light, field width, and near-field focus. I have a
high-powered scope that I carry when needed, and have noticed some of the
problems people have mentioned (darkness, heat distortion, etc).

Thanks again!

Teresa Michelsen
tcmnem at halcyon.com