Recommend a Binocular

I am looking for suggestions on a binocular for the mother-in-law. She is probably 90lbs soaking wet, so I'm wanting lightweight, easy-to-use, for bird-watching at backyard distances. Image stabilization is not required. Prefer weather-sealed and of course, not bank-breaking. Figure in the $200 range or so, if that's do-able for the price range.

Vortex Fury 6.5x32 would meet all your needs. Vortex makes nice products and provides lifetime no fault warrantee ($159)

Leupold Yosemite 6x32 is great glass for ~$100. Light weight, excellent brightness and clarity. Very highly recommended. This is my favorite feeder-watch binocular. Use (some of) the extra money and buy her a field guide to go with it.

Remember, it's not about the power! 10x will give her headaches with the jittery view. Would in no way exceed 8x for her or for this use.

Louis Marchesi said:

I am looking for suggestions on a binocular for the mother-in-law. She is probably 90lbs soaking wet, so I'm wanting lightweight, easy-to-use, for bird-watching at backyard distances. Image stabilization is not required. Prefer weather-sealed and of course, not bank-breaking. Figure in the $200 range or so, if that's do-able for the price range.

I have been quite happy with my Meade 7x42 Meade Montanas. These are Japanese made binoculars with all the stuff, phase coatings, nitrogen purged, oring sealed etc. When I bought mine they were $300 but Meade is closing them out for $99. The only downside is that they weigh few ounces more than some but at 7x they are easy to hand hold.

http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/Meade%20Montana%207x42%20Binocular/part_number=B170001/1323.0.1.1.23439.0.0.0.0?pp=8&

Jon