I am also hunting for binocs and found these two
online resources to be helpful:

Choosing and Using Binoculars

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/GearGuide/Binoculars/

The Age of Binoculars
Are birding binos reaching the pinnacle of evolution?

by Kenneth V. Rosenberg

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html

John Sherwood
DC