Opinions for next binocular purchase please?

First some background. I already own an Orion Scenix 10x50, Celestron
Optiview 10x50LPR, and vintage Meade 11x80 (mid eighties probably
Japanese made). I am in my mid forties and living/viewing in
urban/suburban skies (so no 7mm exit pupil for me). I have a distinct
preference for binoculars that can be hand-held rather than requiring
a tripod (so no more than 15x).

My current binos all have their pros and cons. My 11x80's have the 7mm
exit pupil which was great when I bought them for Halley's Comet.
Nonetheless they are still hand-holdable, especially when you grip
them close to the objectives. The Optiview 10x50LPR binoculars (with
togglable LPR filters) are a great concept and works very well for
bringing out nebulae (enough to interest me in buying another
different pair), but the BK-7 prisms makes the binoculars not as
ergonomic as BAK-4 binoculars such as my Scenix 10x50 (or even the
11x80's in some respects).

There are some new binoculars out that intrigue me. Apogee has some
LPR binoculars similar in concept to the Optiviews, but using BAK-4
prisms. Models I'm considering are:
10x60 $89.95 (10x only if higher would not be recommended)
12x60 $89.95 (probably a good mag compromise but opinions wanted)

12x80 $229.95 (would it be any significant gain over the 11x80s that
I have now to justify the price?)

Other binoculars (without filters) I am considering:
Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binoculars (would they be harder to
hand-hold than 11x80 binoculars?)
A used pair of Orion (Japanese made) 14x70s that I've seen for sale.

Opinions please. Although I have a tripod my intent is still to mostly
hand-hold them (in urban skies). Thanks. Malcolm

Malcolm,

As magnification increases the difference between what can be seen handheld vs mounted increases.

8x42s and 10x50s handheld (HH) can see stars about 0.4 to 0.5 mag less than when mounted. 15x70s HH can only see about 0.7 less than when mounted. The larger they get, the greater the difference. Unless you are certain you will sometimes mount these binoculars, I would not recommend anything over 12x.

You will see more with 15x70s HH vs 12x50 HH or 10x50 HH, but you will tire much more quickly, ending your viewing session sooner.

Few oportunities present themselves to use binoculars with 7mm exit pupils. Don't let aperture and large exit pupil take advantage of you. Get someone to measure your eyes dark adapted. If your eye pupil only dialates to 5mm than stick with a 5mm exit pupil. Otherwise, you are wasting aperture, and buying extra weight. 10x60 and 12x80 might be a waste.

edz