Gary, check out Eagle Optics (www.eagleoptics.com). I bought a pair of Celestron (famous telescope manufacturers) 8 x 25's a couple of years ago. They work great, are nitrogen filled (waterproof) and have a rubberized casing. I would definately not go any higher than 8 power; it's too hard to hold steady if it was more powerful. The only problem I had was finding some good lens covers to keep the sand out of them while kayaking. Of course that is no problem now that I am divorced and my former wife ended up with them

Peter