Nikon Sporstar 8x25 if you can put up with no phase coating. It is compact, and you will see more birds with them than without them.
I've been birding for the last couple of years with an old unknown model of Bushnell 8x21s that was given to me when my pa upgraded to a set of Stieners. After spending a week borrowing a friend's 10x25's (also Bushnell of an older unknown model), even those were a huge improvement and I'm finally willing to get a new pair.
In looking for a new pair, I'm still stuck on having light, small binoculars. I'm aware of what I'm missing by not getting a decent 8x40ish, but if they can't be with me all the time, I won't get the same use out of them. If it'll make everyone feel better, I'm hoping to get these to use all the time, and ebay or pawn shop a Nikon Monarch or Eagle Optics Ranger SRT in 8x40ish for when I intentionally leave the house to bird.
So, my current requirements:
* Under 14 oz (I got bad knees and already carry to much stuff in my pack)
* Under $200 (I don't work most of the year)
* Waterproof (I sea kayak)
* Excellent warranty support (Let's face it, my gear has a rough life)
The binoculars that I'm currently looking at are below. I'm tempted by the small Diamondback because it's the only one of the bunch with phase correction, but I've heard that the smaller roof prism binoculars aren't as clear as the reverse porros.
Pentax UCF WP 8x25
Nikon Prostaff ATB 8x25
Vortex Vanquish 8x26
Vortex Diamondback 8x28
Does anyone have any suggestions on choice, or options I haven't looked at? Thanks.
Those would all work. I have not seen the 28mm Diamondback yet.
Nikon Sporstar 8x25 if you can put up with no phase coating. It is compact, and you will see more birds with them than without them.
The Diamondbacks seem very similar in spec to the discontinued Hurricanes, which I own (8x28). It's finicky to use but gives decent results once you get used to it (eye position, angling a bit to reduce flare...). I'd be interested to hear whether the DB 8x28 is a better performer than the Hurricane, if anyone has done a side-by-side test. The Fury weighs a couple ounces less, but costs more.
Personally, I've been a little disappointed by the lack of compactness of most rugged, water resistant "compact" roof prism designs. You should check out a water-resistant reverse porro (Vortex Vanquish, Bushnell Legend 8x26, Nikon Prostaff, etc--I see you're thinking in this direction already). I've only looked through the Prostaffs; they were nice and porros seem more user friendly in compact sizes. Size and weight also seem a little better than similarly-priced roof compacts.