Cameras and Lenses

Seeking a good set of 10x42 binoculars for coastal use

I am a docent and am looking for a decent set of binoculars. I will be using the binoculars for bird and mammal identification along the California coast. I will be using the binoculars primarily from land but on the odd occasion also from sea. For my needs it seems that 10x42 would serve me best (but I am open to suggestions) as I will be using the binoculars by hand and rarely tripod mounted.

My wish list:

• 10x42
  
• $1200 or less
  
• Good warranty
  
• No permanently affixed lens covers (just a personal preference as I do not like them)
  
• Waterproof would be a nice-to-have as fog is likely as is occasional sea spray
  

Welcome, Bob. there will be some good answers after the weekend, I think everybody goes birding. I have limited experience with the 10x42 size, having used only a Nikon SE. Optically I think it is excellent, one of the very best made, yet, because it is the relatively simple Porro prism type, falls inside your price range. It is not waterproof however. People have varying opinions on it's weather resistance, I have not used it in bad weather myself so cannot say.
Ron

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