I've always been a fan of
compact binoculars. No, an 8x20 compact binocular won't offer quite the performance on an 8x42 binocular, all else equal, but the difference, for me with my forty years of experience using a binocular, is not enough to justify carrying the larger binocular. Maybe it's because I am a gal,but I just like things a bit on the petite side when traveling. Besides, we all know that
compact binoculars are much cuter than big binoculars, right? My
Swarovski Crystal sure is. Besides, we gals have enough to carry, as it is. The last time my cell phone rang, for instance, my boyfriend had a fit of laughter as he watched me try to fish the darn thing out of the jungle of stuff in my
purse. I still don't see how guys get along without a purse. On the other hand, I don't wear a multi-tool strapped to my waist twenty four hours a day like some people.