I have always thought the most important thing about binoculars is having them readily available. Our vehicles each have a compact set and at least two in the house and two on the boat. (and at the house is a spotting scope)

Most were not terribly expensive except for a pair of 7x50's on the boat and the latest arrival at the house, a pair of Bushnell 2.5x42 Night Vision Binocular w/Built-In IR's