I still have a short list of 8x42s in consideration in the $200-350 range, but I am now thinking about perhaps something smaller/lighter with a wider FOV. So I am comparing the following models:
Top contenders...
Nikon Monarch 8x36 - FOV 367 ft., ER 17 mm, 19.8 oz.
Celestron Noble 8x32 - FOV 393 ft., ER 20mm, 19 oz.
Pentax 8x32 DCF SP - FOV 393 ft., ER 17 mm, 23.2 oz.
Shorter ER might be an issue...
Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum 8x32 - FOV 393 ft., ER 16mm, 18.5 oz.
Minox BD 8x32 BL - FOV 394 ft., ER 15.5mm, 18.5 oz.
Minox BD 8x32 BR ASPH - FOV 400 ft., ER 15mm, 21.9 oz.
Bushnell Legend 8x32 - FOV 396 ft., ER 16mm, 23.8 oz.
Kind of heavy but I can get a good deal on it...maybe as a spare?
Nikon Sporter I 8x36 - FOV 366 ft., ER 20.5mm, 25oz.
Are there any I missed? My requirements are something for general daylight birding (woods and fields), lightweight and can be held with one hand if necessary (to compensate for rotator cuff shoulder), fits well with small hands, and eyeglass friendly. Some of the above models might not work well with glasses, a couple are on the heavier side. Not many 8x30-something binoculars have long ER. However, I did notice when I tried a friend's Swift 828HHS with ER of 19mm, I actually had to pull out the eye cups a little; I couldn't use them all the way down with my glasses. So maybe I would be ok with a shorter ER. I am limited to a lower to middle price range.
I am still strongly considering the 8x42 Monarch for its low price and good reviews, but wonder about the narrowness of field (330 ft.). Perhaps the 8x42 will be better for lower light, however. The Monarch 8x36 looks interesting but others of this size have a better FOV, but the 8x36 may be slightly brighter than 8x32? The Pentax has aspheric lenses so that was a plus. Everything is a tradeoff. Of course, I haven't been able to find any of these models within a two-hour drive to test them out!
Let's discuss the issue of using one hand only to hold the bins. Personally, I have never been able to do this successfully for any length of time and I am built like a Line Backer. No bin is going to do you much good if you can't hold it steady or at least minimize its shakeing. I have had a rotator cuff injury and I understand your problem. Mine is cured now, but if yours is chronic, I think you should consider a 6 x 32 like Eagles Ranger Platinum. I own one and use it alot and I can tell you that it is a superb binocular! It is very bright and has a very wide field. Leupold also makes a Wind River 6 x 32 for around $300.00 Another one you should consider is Bushnell's 7 x 26 Custom Classic. It is a reverse porro prism with a wide FOV and is very light, omly 12 ounces with 16mm ER. Another alternative is Canon's Image Stabilized 10 x 30 which costs around $400.00. It weighs 22 oz. 13.8 ER and 315' FOV.
The other alternative is to use your injured arm as support, keeping it close to your side and operate the focus with your good arm, which is what I did.
Hope this helps,
Bob
[QUOTE=ceasar]The other alternative is to use your injured arm as support, keeping it close to your side and operate the focus with your good arm, which is what I did.[/QUOTE]
This is sort of what I am doing now anyway. I'd hate to go to a 6x or 7x all the way from the 10x at this point - granted the 10x only weighs 10oz, so it is easy to keep steady with one hand. I'd like to stay at 8x if possible. I can hold up 21 oz pretty well with one hand, for short periods of time. I only need to use just one hand when the sore shoulder gets really tired. It gets some rest while walking before a bird is spotted. The majority of the time I can just prop with the bad arm.
But yes, weight is definitely a factor in my choice.