Brunton's are a decent binocular. I had a pair of Swift's (non-waterproof)
that I used for three years of heavy, hard-duty birding and they are still
(?) usable after a number of disassemblies by me. I have used everything
from Zeiss, Leica, Scvarovski... and being limited in funds got Brunton's
from REI and am well satisfied. I also carried a small pair of Brunton's
8x24's as a back-up for dunking, losing or having my other pair stolen.
They served their purpose for myself and a number of others and kids in
third world countries because of various accidents and escapades. The
8x24's take some getting used to but were light, waterproof, etc.

At this point I have not determined whether the "red" coatings would
terrify jungle birds at close range or not. They sure would get my
attention if I were a bird!!

There is always the argument on 8x or 10x. If you are on the Great Plains,
at the Beach -- 10x are great. Forest or close-in birding 8x are much
better. The Brunton 8x also have an excellent field of view and are bright.
Seems like a "Best Buy." Armored and waterproof to boot!!

The more important issue about waterproofing is whether they are moisture,
rain, humidity resistant. My scope as been out of commission for more
times due to condensation than getting dunked. If you have lost the use of
your optics due to fogging, there are two things that you can do ---
get waterproof optics and, if you aren't afraid of losing them, leave them
outside at night so they are the same as the air temperature and then don't
breathe on them!!!!!

Comments from others, please.

Bob Taylor
Federal Way WA
taylorrt at geocities.com