I will be doing a two week tour of the Outer Hebrides, Wester Ross, Sutherland, and the Orkneys this May/June. I want a decent pair of binocs to keep parked in my handlebar bag. Optimally small but don't have to be full blown compacts. I have classic Leitz 8x32s and Nikon 9x30 Execulites but they're really nice and I don't want to trash them. I do have a couple pair of Japanese made Travelites (8x25 IV and 8x23 III) which I like quite a bit but they are not waterproof, and ideally I'd take something a shade better.
I tend to prefer the porro bang for the buck. I'd prefer them either made in Japan or Germany. I want waterproof. Older models are fine if it's the right thing. Probably ideally they would be 8x30s for size/viewing quality. I don't care for the Monarchs. Currently on the list are the Prostaff 8x25s (which I haven't seen yet) and the Pentax 9x28. Preferably $250 or less, but I would go higher for the right thing.
What else should I look at?
I tend to prefer the porro bang for the buck. I'd prefer them either made in Japan or Germany. I want waterproof. Older models are fine if it's the right thing. Probably ideally they would be 8x30s for size/viewing quality. I don't care for the Monarchs. Currently on the list are the Prostaff 8x25s (which I haven't seen yet) and the Pentax 9x28. Preferably $250 or less, but I would go higher for the right thing.
What else should I look at?