Compact Binoculars: Help Wanted

[Baffinland Archer]

G'day troops,

I am looking to purchase a set of compact hunting binoculars. Want something that can either fit in my pocket or sling around my neck without feeling like a hunk of iron.

Cabellas has a bewildering array of choices. I am looking for something no more than about $150 but with good optics, weatherproof and of good quality. I know, I know, I want it all for cheap but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Any advice?

Robert

[Orion]

If you can find them on the used market, look for a pair of Bushnell Custom Compact 7x26 or 6x26.  These are compact, light and have exceptionally good quality glass for their original price, which was about $250 20 years ago or so.  No comparison to Bushnell's current offerings.

[Arrow Slinga]

Check out the Alpen brand I'm not sure what the price is for the size you are looking for but I checked out a pair in 10x32 and they were a nice pair for the $$$$. I thought they were just as clear as some of the top brands and a lot easier on the wallet.

[oops sorry]

I have the binoculars that I need so I am not real "up" on the current market. There seems to be a lot of buzz about the "Vortex" brand as pushing the limits of Value/$$. Eagle optics sells them...others as well, I assume. If you know powder burners (ie smokepoles) you have heard of a writer John Barnsness...he has spoken well of them and is quite experienced with hunting optics. I have no direct experience with them. I can also verify that, for the size, the bushnell custom compacts are still surprising some twenty years later. I have those in 7X26 and will not seel them.

[McDave]

Go to sierratradingpost.com and search on binoculars.  The Steiner 8 X 22 for $99 might be what you want, or you might see something else you like.

[Over&Under]

Alpen makes great optics for the money!!

[ChuckC]

I have some 10x25 Nikons that are really nice for the money.  Way better than the cheap things you get.  I have used them for years.
ChuckC

[Lechwe]

Do you plan on using them early or late when the light is low? If so you may want to consider something with a 30-32mm objective. The small 20-25mm's don't let in a lot of light and that includes the high $ German glass.

[JL]

I also would not venture under 32mm objectives. I have a set of Eagle Optic platinum 8X32's that I really like. $150 may get you a clean/used set of Pentax's off fleabay. I think Pentax offers a good set of glasses for the $$$.

JL

[Jon Stewart]

Same as ChuckC, Had my Nikons for years w/o a problem.

[Shawn Leonard]

Leupold Green ring ya can get in a variety of sizez and very good quality under $150, if ya know where to shop. I will PM ya the place I found with absolutly the best prices on any bino's. Even zeiss and Leica. Shawn

[curtinmo]

leupold yosemites 6x30 nice small glasses for 80-90 bucks...Curt

[lucznik]

If you are willing to go to a 30+mm size binocular, then those Leupold Yosemites are the ticket.  They come in 8x as well, if you prefer.

For a more pocketable option, I would suggest you look at the 8x25 Pentax DCF SW.  It sells for $149 @ Eagle Optics (  www.eagleoptics.com  )  

I have both the earlier renditions of this binocular, the 8x22DCF MC and 8x25 DCF MC II.  They are both very nice binoculars.  They are even phase correction coated and unlike the various reverse-porro compacts, you can actually slip these comfortably in a trouser pocket. I have yet to find a better compact, roof prism binocular in the under $150 price range.

The newest SW line is also now fully waterproof/fogproof. (The older versions are rated only as weather-resitant.)

[Rico]

Bushnell Custom Compact 7x26 I have a pair and they are just as Orion said great glasses for the price

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Leupold Katmai 8x32 for me. (green rings)

[Brent Rudolph]

I'm with Trad Deer. Leupold or Wind River has a life time warranty. Best I have found for the money.

[MikeBurns]

leupold yosemites 6x30 nice small glasses for 80-90 bucks...Curt

I'll second that. These are very good for the money.

[pronghorn23]

I have a pair of Nikon 8X23 Travelite IV. My wife got them for me at Bass Pro a few years back. I can't remember the price but I'd say around $150. Excellent binoculars. Nice and small but not too small. Fit into a fanny pack nice...almost small enough for a pocket.

They're great for treestand use and general use. Although if it's getting dark they could use a bigger lens for light gathering. I bring them hunting, keep them in the truck, NASCAR races...nice and light.

[Roadkill]

bino's are personal.  I like what's been said above about what you are doing with them. I hunted griz bears in AK with a guy that had those pocket sized things, and after a day and a half, his head and eyes killed him.  The smaller sized apertures required him to really get them tight and he had to concentrate to keep his eyes in the glass.  If you intend to be behind them for hours at a time-like western state and Province hunting, that light weight/small size might work against you.  If you just check around the edges of fields and around your stand, samller is probably better.  I hve Zeiss now as we glass for hours, and looking under Junipers at 400 yards is the norm out here.  Just a thought....

[portugeejn]

I'll third the Leupold Yosemite 6x30.  Small, inexpensive (not cheap!), bright in low light.  

I bought a binocular harness to use with them, but they were so light it was overkill and I sold it and use a piece of parachute cord.

Ron