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Message: <blockquote data-quote="typo" data-source="post: 3393693" data-attributes="member: 83808">Janice,It is quite usual for surgeons to wait 'till their patients visual acuity is really quite poor before operating. Normally the only compensation for that is increased magnification, and while changing to an 8x or even a 7x will usually give you a steadier, wider view with a greater depth of field, they won't give you a more detailed view. With normal eyesight increasing, magnification often has marginal advantage as the shake from the hands is amplified as well. With poorer eyesight this reduction is somewhat reduced, so your 12x50 probably isn't a bad  hoice, but it can't be much fun to carry around.It sounds like your use is mostly in good weather and good light, and your need is for higher magnification. I'm wondering if something like the image stabilised Canon IS 12x36 might be a good choice. It might show you 30-50% more detail than your current model and close to twice that of an 8x.The Canon IS models are not particularly pretty, generally not waterproof, and potentially more delicate than conventional designs, but the 12x36 isn't very heavy, and might just have the best view for your current needs.... until it gets dark.David</blockquote>