This season the chickens are running free range and covering a much wider territory closer to the fields where we grow produce. But not in them. On this day they were very active close to the barn and house.

I looked up. There was my reward. Soaring above was a solitary bald eagle just a little north of our field. As it soared on the thermal current spiraling upwards I observed its white head with each return until the Bald Eagle soared above the clouds and out of sight. I had no binoculars on me and my spotting scope was in the trunk of my car. So the entire magical moment was a naked eye sighting. My favorite kind. Perhaps my most common viewing of wildlife is without assistance. It is often just noticing something different and focusing my attention on it. This is what birding and birdwatching is about for me. Taking moments from each day and appreciating the aerial escapades of whatever birds I happen upon.

Of course when I have my binoculars (Bushnell compact) or my spotting scope (also Bushnell) I can spend a little more time exploring the details of the scene and the bird. Those are the times when I wish I had a Swarovski spotting scope and Leupold Katmai Compact binoculars with me. That day shall come my way but it must wait until some household essentials are purchased first. In the meantime I share the joy of birding with you today, another magnificent sunny (that is unusual) spring day in April.

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Recently I shared about my favored Leupold Katmai Compact Binoculars, so you know I have a preference for compacts.   These are 10X32.  So they are a little larger, weigh a little more and have more magnification and more field of vision than the compacts do.

Remember what the numbers mean? The 10X means you see the object 10 times the size it is. The 32 means the size of the lens opening,  32 mm. You can see more about what these numbers mean here.

Gold Ring Binoculars YES.

Made in America. That is nice. I have heard birders discussing how that is a genuine sales feature because so many binoculars are made in in Europe.  I guess there is a bit of pride in having good optics here too.

Who uses them?
Birders, hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, security people, and more.

What are their special features?

• All Leupold binoculars are Waterproof and Fogproof
• Second-generation argon/krypton waterproofing
• Extraordinary brightness in low-light
• Anti-reflective lens coatings – Plasma Coat
• Interpupilary distance lock enables fast one-hand use.
• Comfortable, twist-up eyecups with long eye relief.
• Lifetime guarantee like all Leupolds

What are users saying about them?

I will share some excerpts from a  other user reviews here because I do not own a pair myself.

• After my research, I was down to Leica, Swarovski or Leupold Gold Ring.
• These have excellent clear image and good range and depth of field
• These are cheaper than the others in terms of money not quality.
• I got great clarity, good contrast, easy focusing and low-light use.
• I got what I wanted and more. Leupold is mine now!

Shop the best selection of binoculars worldwide at Binoculars.com!

I believe these Leupolds are a good buy.  Actually any Leupold binoculars will be worth your cash and time. Smaller and lighter than the popular size  10×42 binoculars.  It becomes a matter of personal preference when it comes down to making this kind of choice between all excellent quality binoculars.  10×32 is a nice compromise size.

Shop the best selection of binoculars worldwide at Binoculars.com!

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I am ready to upgrade my compact binoculars and this is what I am looking at. Since Leupold is in my Five Best Binoculars ratings and I love compact for most of my travels, this has the features I seek plus it is a bit more heavy duty than the compacts I use now. That helps when I am passing them to less experienced folks.

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Bird binoculars are not created equal, nor are they all suited well for field work. This review includes 5 splendid bird binoculars at the high end of the scale. They are among the absolute best binoculars made in the world today. When it comes to luxury binoculars like these it is hard to go wrong with your selection. The differences are subtle and preferences are personal, even among serious field testers. Most of these bird binoculars are considered an investment and rightly so. Some experts report that these optical instruments hold their value better than your new car or stocks and bonds and recommend buying several pairs.

Zeiss. Leica. Swarovski. Leupold. Steiner.

Later, another post will discuss some really fine bird binoculars in more affordable models and brands:
Nikon. Bushnell. Olympus. Minolta. Canon. Pentax.

Other bird binoculars reviewed at this site are Pentax and Nikon binoculars, though only one model for each was discussed. That remains the form for these reviews.  One model for each brand is outlined with some overview information. The basic questions being addressed are:

• Who makes them:
• Who uses them:
• What are they like:
• What are their special features:

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Steiner

Steiners are usually seen as part of the uniform of military or law enforcement personnel. Retirees who are accustomed to them are seen in the field doing some bird-watching, but it is not common.

• Who makes them: Steiner has been a leader in optics for more than 60 years.
• Who uses them: Military and law enforcement activities are the primary uses for these exceptional binoculars.
• What are they like: Military standards require bright detail, durability in tough combat conditions. They offer better evening or night viewing and are shock resistant,fog proof and waterproof. The Predator model at 10X42 is closest to the standard for nature observation.
• What are their special features: Steiner Binoculars are remarkably light weight with exceptional depth-of-field. They have excellent user comfort ratings and allow long extended use. Standard sizes include 20×80 for maximum light and magnification in shadows. The most commonly seen models are 10×50 or 7×50, though newer compact models are now available at 6×30 and 8×30. These lenses amplify red and brown shades and reduce blues, greens and UV light. This gives you a crisp clear image beyond your expectations. Expect a price tag anywhere from $200 to over $1000 for these finely crafted instruments.

• Who makes them: Carl Zeiss, Inc. has been making precision optics since 1846.
  
• Who uses them: Serious birders, hunters and wildlife observers.
• What are they like: Zeiss has exceptional durability and superb wide vision. Some experts say they feel like the perfect binoculars. The FL series is the flagship model for Zeiss birding binoculars with good reason.
  
• What are their special features: They have a unique protective coating that repels water and oil resulting in beading on the surface when wet. Their worldwide lifetime service warranty is a standard.
  

• Who makes them: Leica has been making precision optics, and binoculars since 1907 in Germany.
  
• Who uses them: Serious birders.
  
• What are they like: LEICA ULTRAVID 10 x 42 BL is preferred by many serious birders because of the eye comfort, particularly for people who wear eyeglasses when birding.
• What are their special features:They have excellent image steadiness for long distance viewing. These very compact and elegant binoculars are exceptionally lightweight with a magnesium body and titanium hinge shaft.

• Who makes them: Swarovski, world renowned for precision crystal work, branched into optics in 1949 in Austria.
  
• Who uses them: Serious birders.
• What are they like: Without a doubt these set the standard for all of the high end binoculars, indeed for all binoculars. The precision and engineering is unsurpassed.They have a broader field of view and shorter focus distance than most others in this class.
• What are their special features:Remarkably lightweight magnesium alloy body set the pace for others to lighten up. Ergonomic design and twist and lock eyecups are also leaders.

• Who makes them: Leupold has been making and repairing precision engineering optics since 1907 in Portland, Oregon.
  
• Who uses them: Birders, hunters, wildlife observers, boaters.
• What are they like: The Wind River model is appreciated by many birders in the field.The 10X50 models weigh more than most of those mentioned above.
• What are their special features:The image is bright and clear, their focus is closer than expected and they are slightly more affordable, almost in the next class beside the Nikon 10X42 Monarchs.

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