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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nixterdemus" data-source="post: 3608547" data-attributes="member: 96265">I suggest giving thought to a modestly priced porro, new or used, at whatevah power you think you may require before spending your entire budget. Granted, the vast majority here will attempt to convince you of 8X in either compact 32 or regular 42.Just the other day I purchased a new Leupold 10x30 Yosemite 117981 black  porro for under 70 USD TTD. I found the distortion very well behaved making for a pleasant view. It's waterproof and as such the focus wheel requires more oomph than most birders care to exert. Until broken in I use both middle fingers in a push-pull tandem focus. You can have one too for the same price.<a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xleupold+10x30.TRS0&_nkw=leupold+10x30&_sacat=0" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xleupold+10x30.TRS0&_nkw=leupold+10x30&_sacat=0</a>Only your eyes can decide what power of magnification suits you for your chosen purpose. I like a 10X and find a 12X compact harder to hold than a 15X56. As always YMMV ...</blockquote>