I don't have a recommendation for an inexpensive pair for your wife. For you, I highly recommend that you look into a pair of Nikons. For the money, the best pair available anywhere is a Nikon Series E 7x35. There are two versions, a new one and an old one. You should be able to find the old one cheap -- about $200. I've owned a pair for 20 years and they are bright, clear, and as a bonus, work extremely well with eyeglasses, because they have a high eyepoint. In the E Series, there is also a new 8x and a 10x. They are more expensive, but worth it if you want this size. Also, these are classic porroprism design, not roof prism. They are, however, quite compact. For the best prices, buy a couple of photographic magazines and look in the ads in the back. Hope this helps