Thanks, ST.

I'm probably going to try to hold out for an exceptional deal on one that's fully waterproof (or, more likely, put one on my "wish list" for my next birthday or Christmas).

I have cheap, clunky binoculars that I seldom bother to carry.  I also have anultra-compact set of binoculars (also cheap) that are marginally worth carrying. 

I'm in no hurry.  It's my "hearing" that's gone downhill, not my eyesight. A monocular will be a luxury piece of gear when the right one comes my way.

Jimbo  8-)