Let me add a personal binocular recommendation: the Pentax DCF MP 8x28 (also available in 10X). These compacts are nitrogen filled, fog-proof, waterproof, and meet JIS Class 6 standards. They are available for about $200. Optically they are excellent and very rugged.

Herb,
The Pentax 8x28 DCF looks like a nice set.

I have heard good reports about Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binoculars

I have no experience with binoculars but would like to have a small one. Two questions here:

Q1:
Is there a real practical difference between monocular and binocular if they come from the same company and have the same quality ? I mean a mono is HALF the size of binocular. Weight and size do coulnt in psk, EDC, or BOB.

Q2:
I think that 10X magnification needs stablization of some sort. Dont you think ?

You possess binocular vision naturally. Monoculars cause eye strain if used for a long time, and they don't give you the field of view.

As for 10x needing stabilization, why? The shimmy is no worse than rifle scope of similiar magnification. If you find it too bouncy, prop your arm on a tree or rock, or bring your elbows in close to your body and hold your wrist with your off hand. If you're still shaking, you've got too little blood in your caffiene system or it's an earthquake.

ROFL

I couldnt agree more with your diagnosis doc.

IMO a monocular is a better choice for EDC/bugout bags. The point is to be able to look ahead at a situation and get info to help you make a decision. It is not to sit there and watch the birds for hours on end. The cost, weight and bulk savings of a mono over a bino are very significant for EDC/bugout applications.

A1:
My biggest gripe with monoculars is that, with binoculars I can be looking at an object with my naked eyes, then bring the binocs up and be right on target. With a monocular, I have to bring it up to my eye, then search all over the place for hte target. Just doesn't align automatically, at least for me. I also have a harder time holding the monoc steady than I do binocs...

A2:
I have never owned 10x, so I can't help you there. But I suspect that you could provide hte stablization yourself, as suggested by others...

I carry this when in the woods:

http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Leupold-Wind-River-Roof-Prism-W2-8x42

These are night and day compared to the cheap binos. My buddy did a lot of side by side comparison, and for the money, they were comparable to the $500 binos.

I use this to keep them ready, but out of the way:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...&hasJS=true

I carry a pair of Meade binoculars/digital camara that works very well for the purposes that I have. The cost was $100 and the main drawback is it's lack of a memory card for the camara. If the batteries die, the photos die in the camara.

For it's cost, if it breaks or is lost, it's replaceable. It's fairly lightweight and comes with a pouch so it can be worn on my belt.