I gave this item 4 stars based on it's price. Even for $55 list this wouldn't be such a bad buy, but you can get them for substantially less. I am not a binocular expert by any means, but I'll give you my opinion. The binoculars are lightweight and small. Probably even smaller than you would envision from the dimensions. They come with a soft case (with a belt attachment) and a strap. The strap only connects to one side, so if you wear them around your neck they hang sideways. They have a diopter adjustment which adjusts the focus to each eye, and a central focus knob. They are split down the middle and fold a bit to adjust to the width of your eyes. The build is definitely 'plastic-y' which is one reason they are so lightweight. They say "Made In China" on the bottom, which for some reason cheapens their appearance a bit. Comparing the performance of these to a $100 pair of fullsize binocs I bought my father in law, I'd have to say they are just okay. Of course, due the lens diameter cheaper optics they aren't as bright or as clear. The images also seem to lack dimentionality. A tree, for instance, appears flat almost like cut out of construction paper. But it is still raised above the background, Giving you the feeling of watching a cheap 3D movie. The diopter adjustment is a bit stiff, making it difficult to fine tune. It also isn't stepped, so it can go out of adjustment. Finally, the lens covers fall off very easily. pDoes this all mean that I regret buying them? Not at all. They were inexpensive, and unlike my father-in-laws large heavy binocs, they are lightweight small enough to wear on your belt or put in your wife's pocketbook. The image quality is decent (if not good). They wont look ridiculous at a play or a concert are probably decent all around traveling binoculars (for casual use). And although they are not weather or water proof they are cheap enough to replace.

I have not purchased this item; however, I wanted to inform westwindtalker2 how to use these binoculars (or any other normal pair of binoculars). First step, take off your eyeglasses. Second step, look through the binoculars at a stationary distant object, close your right eye and adjust the focus until the object is in focus for your left eye. Third step, while continuing to look at the same object, open your right eye, close your left eye and adjust the diopter correction until the object is in focus for your right eye. Fourth step, open both eyes, adjust the distance between the eyepieces so the image is seen as a single object and adjust the central focus knob. (You could also try reading the instructions supplied with the binoculars--they are available in pdf format from amazon.com from this item's webpage.)

I read the reviews, and the consumer reports for the roof prisms, and because I was buying 2 pair for Chrismas, I got both the porro, and roof prism roamer 8x21.
br /I also compared them to my own Steiner Safari 8x22.
br /Really, very nice binocs. I could not tell a difference between the roof prism, and porro prism, if there was a slight edge, it would go to the porro prism.
br /I compared them in daylight, normal daytime house light and also in the basement in moderately low light. Both Olympus did better in light gathering in the lower light situations than the Steiner.
br /I looked at leaves, and license plates to compare close up and farther away.
br /They are plastic, and as such are light weight, but I am concerned that the sturdiness of the Olympus may not match that of the boys who are the recipients. Time will tell.
br /So, because the porro prisms are significantly cheaper, I would go with these.

Great little package! Small, compact, fits easily in your pocket. Took them to Giants Stadium to use from my end zone seat. Able to see action very clearly in the opposite end of the field. Easy focus for my bad eyes.

I have had this for over 6 months now and i cant really complain about it. Its compact and easy to use. However, people with glasses would have trouble using it. I use it without my glasses(there is a power caliberation that you can do to match ur eye power) and then its very clear.
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br /Easy to carry around and solid. Very good for its price.

Well, I bought the bino for my 7 year old nephew to introduce him to birding. And he loves it, infact he pronounced it "Pretty Cool". Was a good buy considering its compact and does what its supposed to do.

I chose to buy these binoculars because of the great reviews here on Amazon. I am not nealry as pleased as the previous reviewers. The binoculars are pretty powerful, and you can see a far distance, but I dislike them for the following reasons: first, they have that whole "one lense goes gray" issue. I have to hold my mouth just right to get a clear view in both lenses. The eye adjustment is never quite right, and the most annoying thing is that both lense caps are too big for the lense and they fall off every time I take the binoculars out of the case. I would go with a different pair of binoculars if I could do it all over again. Even if I had to spend a little more money.

I knew very little about binoculars when I ordered this product. I think I was expecting a full size binocular. However, I ordered them for a trip I am taking to Alaska and it turns out this is exactly what I need. They are lightweight and have excellent clarity.
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br /I received the item VERY quickly.

My brother and sister-in-law have this binocular. I borrowed it at a music festival and my husband and I were very impressed with it. I use it mainly for bird watching and feel that it fits my lifestyle. They are small and lightweight enough to carry around while gardening and it is economically priced. I have a more expensive binocular, but don't find that the clarity of the view is as good as this one.

Took these on my cruise to Alaska and they were just perfect. For little money the image quality was great. The size and weight made them very easy to carry around. Great buy if your not looking to spending a lot of money.

compact, lightweight, good optics and for a very reasonable price. Luckily I read about porro prisms before buying these binocs -- at this lower price range, porro prisms are much better than the roof prisms.

I was a bit worried at first at the tiny size, but it is tres powerful! I bought it for a school trip to the Amazon forest and I sighted way more birds and animals than everyone else which helped get me an A in the course. Yes, these binoculars rock!!

I bought these for a trip to Costa Rica and used them every day. They are comfortable, easy to focus, and a great choice for the price. These are perfect for folks like me who are interested in casual use for travel, concerts, sports, etc.

They're a little too small to be conveniently used, and the two eyes require separate focusing. However, they are very easy to carry and are adequate for many purposes. If you're not looking for anything fancy, these are a good buy.

br /Used these at 2 concerts recently, very clear and user friendly. Would buy another pair and maybe will!

Bought to use at concerts because of their small size. I have used them twice so far with good results in low light conditions. Their size make them convienent to carry in your pocket. Good deal for the money. I have full sized binoculars I use for all other situations.

Very good binoculars for the price. Wanted to use to bird watch in our back yard, and am very happy with them.

if you wear glasses, I found it is very hard to get it in focus and comfortable.pThe price is right however. If it had been higher priced, frankly I would have returned it and looked further for one which was more compatible with my vision challenges.