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Review: Leupold Yosemite 8x30 Binoculars
 I recently made a compulsive binocular purchase.  For some time, I've been wanting to have a spare binocular for my wife and kids and to have in the house for viewing the backyard feeders.  When I found these on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods for $89, tested them out a bit in the store, I went ahead and bought them.

These are actually pretty decent multi-purpose optics.  They fit comfortably in the hand, are easily adjustable between adults and children, and have roll-out eye cups for non-eye-glass wearers.

7x35 or 8x40 would transmit a little more light and would significantly improve these optics for birding.  The close-focus of 16.4 feet is not ideal when you are on the birding trail looking in the bushes, but is okay for most birdwatching.

These porro prism Leopold Yosemite binoculars are well armored, waterproof, nitrogen filled, and have a warranty which are important traits for field birders.

The binoculars I purchased may have been discontinued as Yosemite now is promoting an upgrade with BX-1 in the title.  This new version has coated lenses, so will be even better.