Help! What do I look for when buying binoculars?

[mom2boys]

(No pun intended.) Want to get DH a pair of binoculars for Father's Day - last minute, I know.
They need to be lightweight - we will be backpacking into the Grand Canyon and every ounce counts. Besides viewing the Grand Canyon, he would use them for hunting and baseball games - we sit in the cheap seats at the top of the stadium. He's also very frugal. I would like to keep the price below $125, $150 max.
I know nothing. They all seem to have numbers like 10x25; 8x42... What do these numbers mean?

ETA: He also wears glasses for nearsightedness.

 

[GeorgeG]

The numbers refer to the power (how many times the image is magnified) and the field of vision (wide/narrow).

The most common is 7x35 and should be fine for the activities you mentioned. 8x48 is also good (a little more power and a slightly wider field of view).

You should be able to do well with the budget you mentioned if you shop around. If you go to a store, make your uses and budget known and don't let a salesperson talk you into an expensive item you may not need. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars. A good place to get a good overview is Cabela's. Ask your friends if anyone has a catalogue or try online. They have the full range from affordable, but good, to expensive special use binoculars.

I would recommend 8x48 in a ruggedized compact configuration. The really small ones tend to be more expensive, but there are many good compromizes within your budget.

Good luck!