travel binoculars

I use REI 8x25, that I picked up for $50 on sale. I take them along whenever I travel. The only problem I have with them is having to take my glasses off to use them.

Unless RS has changed, the model they have in the RS store is the same as: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009MFTTG/ref=wms_ohs_product_img_T2 These are exceptionally low-cost, small and lightweight for 7 x 18. The ones I generally travel with are Pentax Papilio 8.5 x 21 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007TSYCK/ref=wms_ohs_product_img_T2 These are larger than the Carson binocs, but have much better optics and have the advantage of being able to focus near and far. They are much smaller and weigh less than my field binoculars and are still inexpensive enough that if they are lost, broken, or stolen on a trip I wouldn't hate myself. That said, the Carsons will fit in a pocket and are hard to beat for portability and cost.

I have Tasco model 165RB (see Amazon.com) and really like them. BE SURE TO select the box that says " 8x21" that cost around $10! I have some older ones that are 8x21 also, and they weigh TWICE as much! These weigh 5.6oz; 6.0 with the case. FOR LESS THAN $11, you can't lose. They aren't plastic toys, either. Bushnell owns Tasco, and Amazon.com also sells Bushnell model 132514; in fact, I had a hard time deciding whether to go with the Tasco or the Bushnell binoculars. The reviews were practically identical, so it was basically a coin toss. I bought a bunch for all of my nephews and my niece for Christmas, and I liked them so much I bought some more for us LOL! These will replace our monoculars - they were much more fatigue-inducing than the binoculars, in my opinion...even IF Jack Bauer used the very same one in "24" ;-) (cont.)

(cont.) Having said all of that, I've never held in my hands the Carson model that RS, among others, is selling. His dimensions sound a bit large, and more accurate, than the Amazon.com dimensions...but I'm very intrigued I must say... For a quick primer on choosing binoculars, look at this. I believe I've optimized the best I could with the ones I've chosen - magnification, weight, price, hand shake. All of the ones mentioned would be good choices. I think the following line from the last link I gave you is important enough to repeat here (and applies to everything that goes into our luggage): "Remember, a compact binocular will outperform any full size binocular left at home or in the car because it was too heavy to carry."

We have a pair that we purchased from the RS Store years ago and take them to Europe every summer and they work just fine for us. If you are interested in RS stuff, watch out for his sales which happen often and are usually 20% off.

Thanks for the advice. I am taking a bit from all of your comments ...and I agree Eileen. The decision will always be better than having none at all - or my heavy Audubons ( one more thing around my neck)

Check out binoculars.com. They have a lot of choices and good prices. I bought a monocular a year or two ago from them - it arrived as advertised. The hardest part is choosing which one you want. The first number is the magnification, the second is the width of the field of view (I may not be saying it exactly right). The higher the second number the easier to use (especially in low light). 8X25 is probably fine for most purposes. I also like a rubber shock resistant coating since it's being used for travel.