Stone Glacier dry bags are pretty cheap and a better shape for meat shelf use than most. They are not seam tight by design, but you can seam grip it if desired.
Zeiss Victory HT 10x42, like new. With factory strap, all lenses covers, case, and papers. Got them to compare with some other alphas, great glass but not for me. Never used in the field. Buyer can look them over for a day and return if not as described. I've bought and sold a pile of stuff on...
I personally have no use for more than about 2 pockets, but that's somewhat of an aside. I would put them both on a credit card and send one back after trying them. There's just no way to get a feel for how different packs jive with your body than in person. Maybe find someone locally who has...
Of the smaller Hille's I've had an Unna, Enan, and Niak. I do hunt above treeline somewhat frequently, so the flexibility of a free stander is nice. I'm 6'2" so I need some length. For me the Niak is the best compromise of weight, strength, and space. I could do with less, but I do use it as a...
Agreed, best you can afford, though of course wise use of what you've got is better than selling the farm for alpha glass. A couple of the better values going in my book are the last generation of Cabela's branded Meostars and older Leica Trinovids.
Get your binos on a tripod and use it as much as possible. Be where you want to glass from before light, not on the way to where you want to glass from. Good luck and have fun.