If you have unsteady hands or environments, consider the Canon 8x25 IS binoculars (*est. $200) . The "IS" stands for "image-stabilized," meaning the binoculars show a steady view even if you're bouncing over rough terrain, or have trouble holding binoculars because of hand shake. At 17.3 ounces (without battery), the Canon 8x25 IS are light for image-stabilization binoculars, but heavier than other compact models. The 13.5mm eye relief is borderline for eyeglass wearers.

The Canon 8x25 IS binoculars aren't waterproof or rubber-armored, and they carry only a three-year warranty, but users say they're more fun to use than most binoculars and that the image-stabilization feature works well. Canon also makes these in a 10x30 size (*est. $325) , and despite just 14.5mm of eye relief, reviews say they are comfortable for eyeglass wearers. The larger Canon IS binoculars have a narrower 315-foot field of view and can focus only as close as 18.8 feet. Nikon, Fujinon and Bushnell also make image-stabilized binoculars, but they're mostly heavier and/or more expensive, with no better eye relief.

Bushnell Legend binoculars have one special advantage often praised in reviews of hunting binoculars -- a special RainGuard coating that makes rain and snow sheet off the outer lenses; reviews say they're usable in the pouring rain. The waterproof, fogproof, roof-prism Bushnell Legend 8x42 (*est. $230) get some good reviews, though it's easy to confuse them with a less expensive, lower-quality porro-prism Bushnell Legend binocular (shaped like a W) that are also available.

A Field & Stream review of hunting binoculars praises the roof-prism Bushnell Legend as "a rugged performer with solid optics." However, the Cornell Lab review, based on very rigorous testing, ranks them quite a bit lower than the binoculars discussed above. In fact, they're ranked in the bottom half of the binoculars tested in this price range, and the Bushnell Legend binoculars get a low rating for eyeglass-friendliness.

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