Another low-cost option are Pentax roof prism binos (PDF series?); ca $350
from New York mail-order firms like Adorama or from Cabelas. I've used
their 10X40s and think they're almost the equal of much higher-priced
models. They have high resolution, flat fields and are water-resistant
which means you can take them out in the rain but not submerge them.
Pentax makes a water proof model in case you're a clumsy boater. They
might be a little heavy for some users but that helps steady them.
-----Herb Curl