Not sure about some of the other things, but if you're looking for binoculars outside of work, it's probably for hunting, birding, or sailing. Having done those

Not sure about some of the other things, but if you're looking for binoculars outside of work, it's probably for hunting, birding, or sailing. Having done those things, generally a decent 8x42 is all you need. And remember, you're taking them into the field, so some exotic Swarovski 10x50 or Steiner 8x32 laser range finder with compass at $9k is going to make you really sad when it fails. But a 8x42 Nikon Monarch is fine. Absolutely fine. And you won't hate yourself when you drop them out of a blind, or in the water, or swing them into a ladder as you shuffle down in the dark. That said, smaller binos are fine in most circumstances. I often carry pocket 8x23s around, or even a small monocular, just in case.