I just re-read Desert Survival Skills by David Alloway and realized that my outdoor kit was missing a pair of compact binoculars, a top prioroty survival tool, according to Alloway, to locate water and game. Thought I would pass it on.

Good idea. I have an inexpensive monocular that has resided in my day pack for years. I don't like a monocular as well as binoculars, but it is small, light, and always there. I will often carry my compact binoculars along as well, that way I can see even better at long distance...

I have inexpensive 8x21 glasses in my vehicles but some how forgot to include them in my "woodsy" bag.
By the way OBG what kind of RV do you have?

2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V. Bought it used in '05...

Nice unit. As you know, Winnabago has the largest support system in the US and hold their value better than most. I recently sold my last motorhome and already have the bug again. I may consider a "B" this time, as my health will not permit long trips these days.

How does one choose binoculars? For example, what does 8x21 mean, and how do you determine if another set of numbers is better or worse? For binoculars with the same numbers, how would you choose between them?

A

8 power, 21mm objective lens (the big one up front) diameter. Exit pupil (the column of light that hits your eye) is the obj lens diameter divided by the power -- so an 8x21 will have an exit pupil of 2.6mm. Sonce your eye's pupil gets up to a max of 7mm at night fully night adjusted, the classic 7x50 with its 7mm exit pupil is ideal. For bright daytime condition an 8x21 would work. I have two sets of 8x30 (3.75mm exit) binocs. It's a nice compromise of small size, adequate power and bright enough for most daytime viewing. YMMV

Whatever RAS just said is why I bought my 8X21's. The fact that they were on sale at Northern Tool for $7.49 and were the smallest size Binoculars to fit in my pack had nothing to do with it.

I had a pair in my truck, but they were stolen (along with the rest of my car kit). I haven't been able to replace them yet, but hope to do so at some point. I have a monocular in my BOB, but don't especially like it.

I need to find some compact ones, I have one but its too big to be BOBable