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Message: <blockquote data-quote="denco@comcast.n" data-source="post: 3107701" data-attributes="member: 25300"><p>I have tried a lot of 8x25's because they are a nice size to carry. The only one I would own is the Swarovski 8x25 CLP and it is over your budget and I personally prefer the Swarovski 8x30 CL for my compact. I think at your price point and wanting a wide FOV you are really not going to be satisfied with the view. I tried the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 and found it to have way too much glare but maybe they have corrected that. Anyway it did not have near the optical quality of the Swarovski 8x25 CLP. The trouble is with a 25mm aperture and an 8x magnification creating a 3mm exit pupil you need to have the highest quality optics and coatings to get it to perform satisfactorily for birding. Low price and 8x25 equals bad view. You can get some pretty satisfactory birding binoculars for your price if you move up to an 8x32  though that have been talked about on this forum. If you want light and small and a good view you have to pay the price.</p></blockquote><p></p>