[theksmith]

March is like Christmas to most Members of REI. Basicly if you become a member, you get a percentage of all your previous years spending back to use at the store each year. They call this your dividend, and it comes in March. REI also does a coupon for 20% off any single full-price item several times a year, and one of those times coincides with your dividend.... so most people use their dividend and 20% off coupon to get that one big item they've been wanting!

I decided on a pair of binoculars. I looked at a really nice light-weight Benchmade knife as well, but decided that I would probably just loose it somewhere on the trail! I've always had a pair of those compact $20 binoculars, you know the ones, usually branded JEEP or HUMMER or something and they work... well you think they do until you try out someones quality pair and realize yours are **** (thanks Scott!).

So I originally looked at some REI brand and some Nikon brand compact binocs in the $50-$100 range, as space is always at a premium in the Jeep. At this price range you can already see the difference from those cheapy "stadium" ones. I was almost sold on these Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof 10 x 25...



but then for some reason I wanted to just see why you might want something biggger, so i tried these Nikon Action 10 x 50 Binoculars...



the difference in a compact lens versus a full size lens is dramatic, you just don't feel like you are squinting... it feels more natural, like you are really just closer to whatever you're looking at. hoover they where huge! I couldn't see lugging these around in the jeep.

finally, just for fun, i tried out these REI XR 10 x 50 Waterproof ones, even though i thought the $200 price tag was just too much. they are a compact design but with a full size lens. all i can say is they were awesome, they image was crystal clear and felt 10 times brighter than anything else i had looked through. since i had the 20% coupon and my dividend, i quickly calculated that they would still cost me less than $100, and so i was sold! here's what they look like:



apparently the next jump in price is to the $500-600 range and i'm not going anywhere near that for how i plan to use them. from the reviews i've seen, these $200 guys compare nicely to several others in the $350 range and are considered an outstanding value.

anyway, i can't wait to get out on the trail and be able to check out that distant mine/trail/cabin/whatever and see whether to head that way!


resources:

this article on binocular basics was informative: http://www.chuckhawks.com/binocular_basics.htm

and i found this article on why NOT to buy zoom binoculars very convincing: http://www.bigbinoculars.com/nozooms.htm

and here's a link for all the info on becoming and REI member and the dividends and other benefits: http://www.rei.com/membership

[GOTMTNS]

Nice purchase, even if it was from REI. lol.

[dzJeepChic]

Nice, Kris! Merry Christmas. I never knew that about the REI dividend thing, that's good information.

[peshaw48]

Nice Binocs Kris

[Lifes a Jeep]

Good stuff Kris! You can never go wrong with a good pair of binocs.

And I absolutely love REI...especially the yearly divident! I already spent mine on some hiking poles.
http://www.rei.com/product/768624

[scottL]

sweet specs Kris; interesting write-up! mine were given to me as a christmas gift in December!

[GRUNT]

Thanks for the write-up Kris. Looks like an excellent pair of binos. Don't let them get scratched!