The pair of binoculars you want doesn't exist.... at least not at your price. When you go to waterproof(not water resistant) you probably just broke the $500 range. As far as which you should buy???? 8x30, 8x40, 8x42 etc... well you have to decide what you want to give up. With every pair theres give and take. 8 x30s are compact for sure and light, but they're the worst of all you've mentioned in low light(probably the time you need them most) Compacts are not meant for long term viewing. They'll give you eye strain in a very short time.

Here's how it breaks down. You have a pair of binos that they tell you are 8 x 42. That means 8 power and the objective lens is 42mm. If you divide the 8 into the 42 you get a factor of 5. something. 10 x 42s you divide 10 into 42 and get 4 something. The best factor for low light viewing and ease on the eyes from eye strain is 7. ergo a pair of military binos are 7 x 50. A factor of 7. Beyond 7 the human eye can't take advantage of additional light gathering capabilities of a pair of binos, so a 7 x 82 would be no more useful to you than 7 x 50s. Everything is a compromise. If you're doing close in viewing a lower power will give you a higher factor and better low light viewing but you still have to decide on the power.

I bought a pair of top of the line 7 x 42s. It was a compromise. I bought the 7 power because they're for bow hunting. They are fantastic for whatI use them for. I gave up some low light viewing, although not that much and gained lighter, more compact binos. The different prices from $100 to $1500 for a pair of binos are a direct result of the GLASS used. Multi coating cost more, water proofing cost more etc. I had been through a lot of pairs of cheap, compact, non waterproof etc etc. One year, well really it took me 2 years of visiting stores at last light and walkiing outside with their expensive binos at last light to peer into brush and dark spots checking out the binos. I narrowed my search to two of the top dogs and went with the one that was $150 less. It's the last binos I'll ever buy. I sent them back to the factory after 4 years because a piece of the armorizing was splitting. They changed my eye pieces to the new twist out kind, changed the focus mechanizim as they said it wasn't exactly right and re-armored them.(NO CHARGE) Lifetime warranty and great service.

So, keep in mind the power/objective lens factor. Water resistant isn't water proof. I'd really suggest you save some money, save Christmas presents... whatever you have to do to upgrade your criteria Figure out what you can spend and then spend more. If you get a cheap pair..... you're right, you won't use them that much. If you buy a great pair, you won't leave home without them. Mine are always strapped on my chest with my bino buddies. With a good pair you can bore right through the thickest thicket and pick out and eye, a horn a back line. With cheap binos, you can't see past the face of the thicket... guaranteed.

Picking up a cheap pair and an expensive pair in a store and looking at the signs near check out is not a test of the difference. First light, last light, and yes even in the dark under moon light are where the great binos really show their stuff. Artificial lights in a store tell you nothing.