If you are in the market for new binoculars, the Cape May Bird Observatory 
has started a program to let you try out the bins before you buy.  I quote 
the recent posting below.  Their fall weekend is also coming up (Oct. 26 - 
28) where every major optic manufacturer will have a booth at the Cape May 
Convention Center.

Jim Wilson
Queenstown

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CMBO Birding Optics walk- Cape May Point State Park.
posted by Jason Guerard | 11:13 AM
Looking for a way to try those bins you've been pining over? Want to see 
what all the hype is with high end optics? Come on the Birding Optics walk 
on Saturday mornings. The walk starts on the hawkwatch platform at 7:30 a.m. 
on Saturdays, now thru October 20.

I've actually started a loaner program here at the Northwood Center because 
I wanted to give members/customers a chance to actually bird watch with the 
optics they may be thinking about purchasing. Novel idea, right? We do 
typically allow you to take the bins out on the deck at the center and try 
them out in the"real world"; something that very few companies who sell 
optics will do. With this loaner program you can take a pair of bins out for 
a day or two and really get to test them in field conditions. After all, no 
matter the price, purchasing optics is an investment. You need to feel 
confidant that you'll be happy with the binoculars you choose, for years to 
come.

Most of the optics manufacturers we carry have been generous enough to work 
with me on getting these sample bins in the hands of those who need them. 
Currently we will have available for loan, optics from Bushnell, Kowa, 
Leica, Minox, Nikon, Steiner, Swarovski, Vortex and Zeiss.

As for the walk, this is yet another way you can test the bins in the filed 
but also get a guide to boot. I had no takers for today's walk but then 
again it's a holiday weekend. So, keep the walk in mind if your in the 
market (or even thinking your in the market) for a new pair of binoculars. 
I'd say there there are pretty much no other places on the east coast that 
you can try bins out in this manor before you make your final decision.
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