Not that I am in any hurry, but I got interested in this format. Mainly as it has a good field of view. I am still basically a 10x guy, but use 8x part of the time.
So, just briefly, what are the models you have seen and how do they rate? Nikon Monarch optics (when you get a good unit out of a box, that is) would be fine for me, but not worse. I like the idea of a light and compact model with wide FOV, and the Monarch 8x36 is just too similar to my other 8x and 10x models for weight and other specs.
By the way, it will be up to a year before I buy any new major optics. Earliest in December. May have to pay lots of stuff before that. I have teenagers.
These are pretty much what I would like for specs, but not that expensive. FOV should be close to 400 ft.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/zeiss-v...binoculars.html
Assuming under $600....
Carson XM 8x32
Bushnell Legend 8x32s
Pentax DCF-SP 8x32s
Refurbished Nikon Premier LX 8x32s
Katmais, Conquests, Monarchs, Pentax XP and HS all have too narrow of a field of view for your requirements. I have no familiarity with Minox, Docter, etc....