WingspanOptics FieldView 8X32 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching. Lightweight and Compact for Hours of Bright, Clear Bird Watching. Also for Outdoor Sports Games and Concerts

As a serious birder, I typically use my Swarovski 12 x 50's when birding - with one exception - on my morning walks in my local cemetery. The goal there is more to walk than to bird and those 12 x 50's are heavy, so.... But I still bird on my walks (hate to waste the opportunity to get some data!) so have always used minis for this.The Wingspans were to replace a pair of Eagle Optics minis that I lost and could not replace after Eagle Optics went out of business. That was a lucky break in a way (as much as I miss that company) because it led me to do some research. Unable to find any recent reviews of mini binoculars from a trusted source, I asked a good pal at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology if he had any recommendations for minis. He recommended the Wingspans.After using mine for over 3 months now, I cannot recommend them highly enough. They really deserve a 6 stars given the price, which is at least $20 cheaper than the Eagle Optics pairs I'd purchased a decade ago and so much sharper and clearer than any of those several pair I had experience with. That they come with a lifetime guarantee and a 30-day money-back guarantee sure doesn't hurt.That's really it - the main thing. They provide a very sharp and clear image - which is why you buy a pair of binoculars! That you can get this at $65 is kind of remarkable. Of course they cannot compare to my Swarovskis - but those cost $3K! They're not THAT far off, though, especially in good lighting conditions and for birds within 50-100 yards (or closer). In short, the diopter system works very well - if you use it and optimize the focus across both eyes (which are, of course, not quite equal for most of us), the sharpness of focus will be consistently sharp across the entire focal range - from close-up to very distant.That is the most important part for me. Part of that sense, though, I am sure has to do with their wider field-of-view (FOV) than the minis I have had in the past - typically 8 x 26. The Wingspans are 8 x 32, same FOV as all the full-size binoculars I'd owned until getting my Swarovski 12 x 50s. That extra visual space makes a big difference for any birder, especially those just beginning.In addition, they are lightweight, of course, and the included strap allows me to loop them around my neck and a shoulder so that they do not flop as I walk.I have also been quite impressed with the company's customer service. My first pair had two issues - first, the strap broke at the point where it attaches to the bins themselves after 2.5 months of fairly heavy use (3 mile walk each day). They got sweated on a lot and that may have had a lot to do with it. Still, I thought it should have lasted longer. I contacted the company to say so; they quickly responded to say that they would send out a new strap. My original message to them also described the fact that the pair I had didn't hold its focus across the range of distances I used them for and did they do free adjustments during the warranty period (which, at the time, I did not know was lifetime!). When they responded about the strap, I replied to thank them but to also reiterate that I was still curious about the diopter issue and they then said they would simply replace the binoculars instead of replacing the strap. And they did exactly that. I had the new pair just days later. And, as I said, they are perfect. Apparently, I'd gotten a sub-optimal pair - which they did not ask me to return, either, so I can still use them around the house.One important caveat to anyone relatively new to binocular users: see the paragraph above if you somehow skipped over it. It is important to check the accuracy of the diopter across the entire visual range to make sure the pair you have is in good internal adjustment.Second, I would replace the strap. I purchased straps from Amazon that have elasticized loops that fit through the fittings on the binocular sides that have a clip-insert system (OP/TECH USA Super Classic Strap) that I have been pretty happy with, though I've only had them on for a week or two so far. They elastic loop should eliminate the wear problem I described above and the strap is considerably more comfortable on the neck. They are $20 - but worth it, and recall that you are probably saving that amount by purchasing these binoculars in the first place.Third, I am not completely thrilled by the eye cups. They eye cups are described as 'locking' but they are not in my experience. They have performed the same on both pairs that I have used.These are minor issues, of course, and I have since bought 3 more pair to give away as gifts! I'm voting with my wallet here, folks!PS: I have NOT tested the claim that these guys are waterproof - not sure I want to, but I am curious, that's for sure.

I am SO thrilled with my new binoculars! I ordered the Compact 8x32’s. I’d call them semi-compact. Bigger (and much higher quality) than my super-compact pocket ones and yet perfect to take along in a bag or on a belt. I've had them a week and I've gotten familiar with them and had a chance to use them as well. They look great AND they show things at a distance well, crisp! They are comfortable to hold with an indentation in the nonslip finish for each thumb. I have a problem with the finish on, and eye cups of, many binoculars as most are latex. But these don't smell like tires and they don't bother me. And the eye cups do not fold down they twist up to allow for glasses. In the center, they adjust to the width between the eyes. And they have a right eye diopter which allows for the difference between most people's eyes, from each other. You use a dial type adjuster to focus the right eye first, then the main dial in the center to focus them for both eyes. *They came with a neck strap that is nicer than most binoculars. They also have lens covers for both ends, the larger ones remain attached when removed from the lenses, and the ones over the eye pieces are connected by a sort of accordion folded section of the same material and one side has a closed slot for attaching it to the strap (WHAT a GREAT idea!) and the other side has a slot as well but it has a break allowing it to be removed from the other side of the strap for use. A really great design! They also come with a soft side but padded case with a velcro closure for fast removal of your binoculars. It has a belt slot in the back but it seems small to me. I think it might accommodate a 1 to 1.5" belt. They also come with a cleaning cloth. Their instructions state that you should only clean them a couple times a year. In between use a blower bulb to blow off any debris. The cloth is in a plastic case to prevent dust and dirt from getting on it which could quite possibly scratch your lenses.I have been very pleased with both this superior product and the company's attention to the customer's needs. I whole-heartedly recommend them!* NOTE: I couldn't turn the adjustor for the right diopter the second time I took them out so I wrote to the company and received a very prompt response. They gave me instructions on how to remedy this problem as well as how to handle a replacement should this not work. It did take me a good amount of pressure to unstick it and turn it but they had said that it would. They said it would be stiff because it is new so I plan on working it back and forth a little before I set the adjustor to my eyes.

I'm a bit hard on my binoculars so I don't like to spend thousands. These are decent smaller binoculars that are easier to carry when I go for walk, hike, or bike. The only annoying thing about these are the attached lens caps. While you won't lose them as easy as some that have the rubber fings, these are permanently attached to the body of the binoculars. What I have trouble with is when it's cold and I flip them down they stay in the way, in the field of vision. I have to pull them down a bit. If I'm looking at birds they tend to move while I'm concentrating on the covers. This only happens when it's cold and the rubber is stiffer. Unfortunately that's Oct - Apr here in AK.