NJ Audubon has a buying guide on the web:

http://www.njaudubon.org/NatureNotes/PickPackBinos9-03.pdf

I have a pair of Pentax 8x42 DCF WPs, and consider them a good buy; they're
brighter than my Leica 8x32s, but it seems there's a slight image distortion
on the fringe. I've had to send them in for repair twice under warranty, and
Pentax has been very good with customer service. Repairs were done in 2-4
weeks, no questions asked. The center hinge came loose one time, and the
other time the focus wheel loosened and nearly came off.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA