For use as a portable finder, I suggest you go with 10x50, certainly no more than 10x. Stay away from binocs requiring a tripod. 10x is usable without a tripod, and they won't weigh you down. 16x80's will definitely be uncomfortable hanging from your neck. For a long time I used Canon 10x30 image stabilized binocs, and they were excellent "finders". Image stabilization made them seem like much more than 30mm aperture, and the optics were outstanding...sharp to the edge.
Rob
Rob
