Beware, though, of people who point you toward the biggest or most powerful binocular or toward models small enough to fit in James Bond's wallet. In my opinion, the most useful all-around hunting binoculars are those of 8 to 10x, with lenses of 30 to 42mm. You'll carry 18 ounces to about 2 pounds, depending on lens size, frame material, glass type and optical design.

The 7x35 Bausch & Lomb Zephyr I used for years was at that time ideal, but I've since come to appreciate more magnification. Climbing that ladder, you'll find as I did that 30mm front glass is a bit small. Boost power and you need more glass to keep the dark out. The 8x42 roof prism seems to be replacing the 7x35 porro prism as a standard all-around hunting glass at least, where I travel. And a lot of hunters are using 10x42 binoculars.

The popular Zeiss 10x40 showed a lot of big game guides and hunters that high magnification in a high quality instrument could deliver a bright picture without the bulk of a huge objective lens. Using twilight factor as a measure of what you can discern in poor light, it's clear that extra magnification is worth some reduction in exit pupil diameter. The smaller field of view and an increase in apparent wobble are liabilities, but apparently not serious ones to most buyers.

To my mind, an 8x42 is probably the best choice for general use, the 10x42 a specialist's glass for open country. The list of close cover hunting binoculars that appears a few pages back is full of 8x glass. As I pointed out there, you may not want more magnification, even for open country hunting or for picking itty-bitty warblers out of a latticework of tree top limbs.

If 10x is more to your lik­ing, that list is still useful, because many of the best binoculars with 42mm objectives the Bushnell Elites, Leica Trinovids, Nikon Ven­turers, Zeiss Victorys (40mm) to name just a few are available in 10x magnification, too. The weight and physical dimensions are normally identical or very close. Price may be slightly higher. A binocular with a 42mm objective is just about as heavy a glass as you can hang from your neck with out a harness, and for some models a harness is a pious idea. Weight ranges from 25 to 35 ounces among the top ships in this fleet (Zeiss 7x45 BT*MT binoculars weigh 42).

Nikon's 10x42 Superior E porro prism glass is among the lightest. So too the new Kahles 8x42 and 10x42. The Zeiss 10x40 Dialyt B/GA T* and Pentax's 8x42 and 10x42 DCF binoc­ulars weigh in at about 27 ounces. Swarovski's new premier class EL 8.5x and 10x binoculars register either side of 28 ounces, while Leupold Golden Ring 10x40s and Bausch & Lomb's 10x42 and 8x42 Elites are 29. The Swarovski 10x42 SLCs and Leica 8x42 and 10x42 Ultra Trinovids weigh 31 ounces, as does the Fullfield 8x40 by Burris. Nikon's Venturer tips the scale at 35 ounces, in 8x or 10x.

How much should you pay for a mid-size binocular? Well, as little as you can. If you can find a used glass without much wear, you might get a great bargain. My 10x42 Swarovski was once owned by a fellow who appreciated its quality but thought it too heavy for sheep hunting. I got it for less than half the cost of a new binocular. List prices for 10x42 binoculars range to more than $1,800.

You don't have to buy at the top to get a serviceable glass. On the other hand, you won't be doing yourself any favors by looking below $500 retail, and $900 is more realistic. But don't pay list! In optics, retail prices are great for your comparisons, but when you start toting a loaded billfold, focus on street prices, which can be hundreds of dollars less. On a tight budget? Burris offers good value with its 8x40 porro prism.

Full field and weaver recently adopted the affordable Simmons Presidential (it's in Weaver's line as the 8x42 and 10x42 roof prism Classic). Whatever your price bracket, remember that a binocular is an investment. It should last as long as you do and then some. Amortize the price over the years you expect to use it, and you'll come up with a ridiculously low annual figure. How much would you pay to see a big buck's eye in the shadows? Or the black belly line of a six point bull elk?

You burn dollar and a half gasoline by the tankful to reach hunting country, driving a pickup that's likely worth what I paid for my first house. If you hunt out of state, you'll fork over several hundred dollars for a one time permit to shoot. An outfitter will charge you hundreds, or thousands, more. If you spend as much on your binocular as on a rifle and scope, you're in the minority. But the binocular will likely help you find game. If you don't find it, the rifle is useless. The binocular is your primary tool for hours; aiming and shooting are over in seconds You can make do with an ordinary rifle, and even a cheap sight. If you play Scrooge shopping for binoculars, you're handicap ping yourself!

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