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I need a pair of binoculars that are light enough to handle but have enough magnification to spot the marker square at 1000 and ideally 1200 yards for RCO duties and general spotting, my Steiners are 8x20 so very light but I struggle at the long distances.

Any suggestions in magnification please?

When I am RCO'ing I carry apair of Opticron 8x42s. I can see the score paddle and the spot marker BUT I always have a spotting scope( Kowa 820 36x80) set up. Binoculars are only good for a quick look - use a spotting scope on a long pole or tripod.

Steve

To cut down on the weight and size of kit I drag to the FP I am going to buy a monocular from these folk http://www.binocularoutlet.co.uk/product/monoc1.html. I fancy the 7-21x25 which is a good mid point between spotting scope and binos. x25 objective lens should be fine for daytime shooting on the range.

I do prefer binoculars when standing at the point, I do wonder if 10x instead of my 8x will make just enough difference and enable me to see the marker square. Also does the larger objective make much of a difference view wise? I know it will gather more light but on a normal day does it offer any advantage?

8 x 30, about thirty years old, perfect out to 1200x, marker paddle and spotting disc clearly seen.

The white 'V' bull line is sometimes difficult to see at 11/1200x but that has never caused a problem.

I got a pair of Sebens - they're seconds due to a few flecks on the inside of one of the lenses, but you only notice them if you look at the sky.

They're 8x24 x50 - I leave them set at 16, as it's hard holding them steady while standing beyond that - at that magnification I can spot the splash in the sand at 1000.

Ovenpaa,
We regularly shoot out to approx 1300yds across clearfells - target shooting; not shooting animals at that range. Anyway as you can imagine, identifying targets out to that range needs binos that are not only 'powerful' enough but also have quality optics in order to call the shots or rather, identify where and how far away the shot missed.
Our 7x42, 8x43 & 10x50s generally don't cut it, but the guys generally agree that the Zeiss Conquests 15x45 Binoculars are good kit. They compare well to my other binoculars: Pentax DCF EDs and Swarovski ELs . Moreover due to being an unpopular size and tending to be of a more specialised use they are less expensive than the rest of the range. I bought mine here: http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Zeiss_C ... Binoculars. They're light, have decent optics and can be attached to a tripod.

For those that don't know what a clearfell is - find a 4"x4" target out there : http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=clearf ... 29,r:0,s:0

ovenpaa wrote:I do prefer binoculars when standing at the point, I do wonder if 10x instead of my 8x will make just enough difference and enable me to see the marker square.

Aye but for only a few quid more you can see the actual strike mark when not on target.

ovenpaa wrote: Also does the larger objective make much of a difference view wise? I know it will gather more light but on a normal day does it offer any advantage?

Not really if just target shooting. Anything above 50 is really for low light conditions.