Tim
I would suggest going to
https://bhphotovideo.com/
They are the best source of cameras and optics that I am aware of and carry virtually everything and generally have the best prices.
I would suggest you purchase a wide-field binocular with a long eye relief. The most useful maginfications are between 6 and 8 if you hand-hold. Anything more powerful is likely to have a field of view that is too small to easily follow a rocket, and if you aren't very stable, shake effects your ability to keep the rocket within your field of view. The long eye relief is a must if you wear glases, and if you don't want to keep the binoculars firmly on your head.
Many folks believe that 7x50 is the ideal size. It great for night vision since your pupil diameter is 7 mm fully open, and the exit pupil of this binocular is 50/7 = 7.1mm so it doesn't limit the light gathered by your eye. Since you would be using the binocular in daylight at 7x35 is a good compromise, being lighter, and the exit pupil is still 35/7 = 5 mm, much larger than your pupil in daylight.
I would also suggest that you make sure the binoculars chosen are waterproof and fog proof so they work well in all weather conditions. The optics also should be anti-reflection coated to maximized brightness and contrast.
Don't cheap out, but don't get suckered in by some of the high price brands. Expect to pay $100-$200 for a decent pair of binoculars.
The Konica Minolta Activa WP-FP series appears to be a high quality line of reasonably priced binoculars. They have a decent range of powers. It appears to be the KM top line, and at the BH low prices, this is the only KM series I would consider.
My first suggestion would be the Konica Minolta 7x35 Activa WP-FP Weatherproof & Fogproof Wide Angle Porro Prism Binocular with 9.3-Degree Angle of View Mfr# 8460117 B&H# MI7X35A B&H Kit Price: $ 134.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...818&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Other variants are here.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=
All power variations are listed at the Konica Minolta USA website below.
https://kmpi.konicaminolta.us/epris...uct_pages/Activa_WP_FP?mDetail=Specifications
Of the same quality, but a bit heavier, is the Nikon Action EX Extreme WP/FP series.
My first choice in Nikon would be the Nikon 7x35 Action EX Extreme Waterproof & Fogproof Wide Angle Porro Prism Binocular with 9.3-Degree Angle of View Mfr# 7237 B&H# NI7X35AE Price: $129.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...406&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
The rest of the Action EX Extreme series is here.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...&b=2&shs=&ci=11480&ac=&Submit.x=12&Submit.y=8 and sort for price.
The Nikon USA website for these is
https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/group.php?group=13&subgroup=142
Canon make a number of image stabalized binoculars. The only reasonalbly priced one is the Canon 8x25 IS Image Stabilized Porro Prism Binocular with 6.6-Degree Angle of View Mfr# 7562A002 B&H# CA8X25 Price: $ 249.95 Rebate Available $ 50.00 Price After Rebate: $ 199.95
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...431&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
The rest of the Canon line is pricey.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=DTYh8DQjtM!1028225190?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=
Here's the Canon website.
https://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=107
But the way, the above choices are also good for general use as well.
Bob Krech