Binocular/monocular?

Does anyone else find themselves wishing they had binoculars or similar when in an area such as Indian creek? Maybe to use to spot routes from the road or base of the talus. Or for spotting bolts or chains before you commit from the base? Any insight anyone has would be helpful. More or less in terms of magnification and size that would be useful for such. 

See this thread: binoculars

A quality lightweight point and shoot works well also. I often take a Lumix 30x optical zoom- 18mp with a mini tripod. There's the added benefit of saved beta shot files as well. A shot delay timer with the tripod makes for an amazing zoom factor.

Do you find a 30x limits your field of view too much? That was my main concern. What amount of zoom would be adequate, without being too much. The thread linked by Allen was informative, as well as another linked in that thread. But I’m still open to any and all opinions, especially if someone has experience with an optic at the creek specifically.

An inexpensive pair of compact binos should be part of your kit.  See Wal Mart, Academy Sports, Dick's, etc......8x or 10x maginification