An excellent beginner orientated article which summarizes very accurately all the stuff we rabbit on about : porros are still good; lower magnification is better at the cheap end;
I'd point any new birder/optics buyer to this article.
quote:
Discipline yourself to never even look at binoculars that cost more than the maximum amount you can comfortably spend. [...] Never buy binoculars that you can’t afford to replace if they’re lost or stolen, and never buy from a company that doesn’t have an excellent return policy and warranty.
Are the binoculars covered by a "passport warranty?"
Bob