Waterproof compact binoculars

[PamNY]

I lost my binoculars recently, which gives me an excuse to shop for something better. My budget is under $200, preferably well under. I also want compact for reasons cyclists will understand.

Since we have a few birders here, I wondered if anyone has comments or advice.

I am thinking of waterproof because I bike and watch birds in all weather.

These Minox (http://www.amazon.com/MINOX-62031-10x25-Compact-Binocular/dp/B003FBRN24/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1308934611&sr=1-2) binoculars caught my eye, but Minox doesn't show up in any of the recommended lists I've checked.

Any opinions out there?

[hulagirl]

We have the Nikon Trialblazer binos that we like a lot. Compact, light and waterproof. There are a lot of them on REI's site and they have free shipping until July 4th on orders over $50 now. Plus with their warranty, you can return them at anytime if you aren't happy with them.

[goldfinch]

I lost my binoculars recently, which gives me an excuse to shop for something better. My budget is under $200, preferably well under. I also want compact for reasons cyclists will understand.

Since we have a few birders here, I wondered if anyone has comments or advice.

I am thinking of waterproof because I bike and watch birds in all weather.

These Minox (http://www.amazon.com/MINOX-62031-10x25-Compact-Binocular/dp/B003FBRN24/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1308934611&sr=1-2) binoculars caught my eye, but Minox doesn't show up in any of the recommended lists I've checked.

Any opinions out there?

http://www.amazon.com/NIKON-7278-Travelite-Binoculars-25mm/dp/B003828JXM?SubscriptionId=0K76CZ6RCX2Y05HSNPR2&tag=csfstext-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B003828JXM

or

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007TSYCA

Not fabulous but not half bad and well within your budget. You will get much better binoculars if you are willing to go up in size a bit to a midsize rather than compact binocular. Also, it will be easier to find waterproof/resistant binoculars. The Pentax DCF MP Binocular 8x 28mm Roof Prism was a waterproof compact but I think that it has been discontinued. It was a couple of hundred bucks.

[withm]

Compact binoculars are handy, but you'll be much happier with 8x40s. The little ones make it very hard to find the bird, much less the tree since the angle of view is so narrow. I bought some from REI for around $170 a couple years ago that I love, and they are not much bigger than the Minox that you show here.

Best bet is go to a store and try both sizes out and see which ones you can see the best with.

[Cataboo]

I have the nikon monarchs on recommendation from 7rider (way back when there was a thread on here where I asked a similar question)

[Velocivixen]

I'm a birder but I don't have compact waterproof binoculars. I can say that once I found a few I was interested in I went to stores in town that had them so I could feel them and actually try them. Then I went to a website called binoculars.com and bought the ones I wanted at a huge savings (vs Audubon society or local sporting/hunting store).
Good luck.