Compact bino recommendations

[MnFn]

8X25 Zeiss. I almost always have them with me when bowhunting.  I forgot them on a bear hunt this past week and really missed them when the light grew dim.

[Elk whisperer]

Just got some Bushnells L   250. they are great 10x42

[Orion]

If you can find an older pair of Bushnell 6x or 7x 26, you won't find a better small glass for the money.  If money is no object,  8x32 Leica Ultravids.

[jt85]

I just ordered a pair of leupold Mojave 10x42 but after reading all the comments I'm starting to wish I'd have got the 8x42s

[DXH]

I have been pleased with my Vortex optics I have the 8x32... Nice compromise between price and power

[PeteA]

I have the Leopold Yosemite. 6x30 I believe.They are a mid size but the optics are really good for picking apart the hardwoods here in the North East. They are also really good for low light. Very good for $90.

[T Lail]

I have been looking for a new set myself.......do a lot of research and read all reviews.....go to all the big stores and actually look through any you plan to buy.....so far, for the money I like Vortex the best.....I wear eye glasses and they fit me best....be careful and choose wisely....Optic Planet actually recommends a Bushnell pair taking everything into consideration.....

[MnFn]

To clarify a bit, I also have 8X Swaro's. I use those for other applications.

But for sitting on stand in the woods, for bear or deer, it is always my little 8X Zeiss.

SteveO is right on the money. Save up and buy Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leica, it is well worth it. I don't have a lot of money either, but I sold a handgun and bought a pair of Swarovski 8x30.  I have never regretted it.

[TradBrewSC]

Hey Guys, I like this thread as I work for Leica Sportoptics as the Product specialist east.

For a compact bino or for any bowhunting situation for that matter, I find our 8x32 Ultravids to be second to none. They are one of the lightest most compact in its class and actually has a larger field of view that the 8x42 ultravid if you can believe that or not! This is my go to bino when i have the option to use any of our samples.

From a more economical stand point we are also now offering the Trinovid HD in 8x42 and 10x42. This is the best bang for the buck out there right not at $949 for the 8x42 and $999 for the 10x's. The only difference you will find between these and the Ultravid HD will be that the diopter adjustments are on the right barrel vs the focus wheel, a stainless steel center pivot arm vs titanium, slightly differnt rubber coating, and no aquadura coating on the lenses. This allows them to be ant a much better price point and not sacrifice any optical quality. They also come with our new adventure strap which is an excellent all in one harness/strap.

If any of you have any questions on Leica products please feel free to reach out to me!

[Muttly]

Originally posted by jt85:
I just ordered a pair of leupold Mojave 10x42 but after reading all the comments I'm starting to wish I'd have got the 8x42s

Give the 10x42s a chance. They,'re easy and quick to focus in one hand, nicely balanced.
Went from 8s to 10x42, had em a little over a year. Haven't once wished I,d gotten 8s instead.

[Lost Arra]

For a clear sharp compact binocular at a good price(under $180) it takes a lot of cash to beat the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32.

(I own Swaro, Leupold and have owned Vortex. I use the Sightron when deer hunting more often than the others.)

[TradBrewSC]

Originally posted by Steve O:
 

Originally posted by Bowwild:
However, I noticed on a recent antelope hunt that my 6x Leica range finder was much more clear than these binoculars.

 

I am constantly amazed at these optics threads here. Even when guys see it with their own eyes, they still want to somehow "beat the system".

You can't buy a $200 binocular and expect it to perform the same as a $1000 binocular.

More than anything else, you get what you pay for in optics.

If you buy the top of the line in the Zeiss, any Leica, or any Swarovski, you will never need to upgrade.  Zeiss Conquest are not Zeiss Victory. There is no way around it.  Vortex are not equal to those three; not even the Razor HDs.

If you buy the BEST binoculars you will use them more and see things you have missed for years.

Bowwild--you are a smart enough hunter, you will not spook game using your binoculars.

Save the extra, get the best glass, and you will never want to go back. Most spend double of a good set over time buying inferior glass always chasing "the deal". [/b]

Amen my friend!

[MnFn]

Different opinions for sure. If I was hunting all the time in the the west or AK all the time, my suggestion would probably be different.

I went from cheap 6X to 8X30 Swaro's  to 10X40 Leica, back to Swarovski 8X30 then added the 8X20 Zeiss.

[MnFn]

[kevsuperg]

Have you thought about monoculars , just bought a vortex 10x36 from Cabela's . About 100$, nice and clear, light, compact. Comes with a lanyard and belt clip.

[cacciatore]

For me a pair of Swarovsky 8x30 are hard to beat and very compact too. You can find a pair of SLC for less than $500 and you have a life warranty,plus they keep their value and you can always sell them for the same price..
I paid $600 for a brand new pair and sold them some years later for $650

[Rick Richard]

I have the Swaro 10x32...love them.

[Bowwild]

Went nuts today. Or maybe the subject came into focus today?

Been studying this topic for a very long time.  This thread and a PM or two convinced me to pay more attention to binoculars.

I decided that I haven't counted on binoculars much in my hunting because I've never had good ones. I also figured with my future hunt plans I'd fine myself in NR situations for turkey in the spring and charismatic mega fauna in the fall.

Bought the Swarovski SLC 10x42.  It was between Leica and Swarovski.  I did look through some Swarovski 8x30's and was impressed. More portable than the ones I bought. I was concerned about eye fatigue, steady hold, and field of view. I thought the 10x might be better for the wider open spaces I travel to?

I'm going to send my Leupold 8x back to get the eyepiece fixed. Probably give em to my son.

[sticksnstones]

If I were a Colorado hunting guy who just wanted one pair for my pocket, I'd be very tempted to go Leica 10x25s. I'd want to look at Steve's 8x20s after what he said about them. Of course this is without any consideration of cost.  I'd also want to do a 30 day demo of some Maven B3s before I made a purchase.

Hunting Wyoming two weeks ago I only took my Leica 10x42s and they did great for me. Might be a little bigger than "compact" but I do love them in open country and low light.

For what it's worth, I do still use those cheap Leupold Yosemite 6x30s more than 90% of the time I'm hunting. All of that time is thick woods and swamps. I really want a pair I don't care if I bang them up or break them. The price is right on these for me to consider them disposable, while giving me a 6x advantage over nothing. Not to get too philosophical about it.

Oh, I did buy one pair of Raptor 6.5x32s two years ago and I donated them after one hunt when I found out I couldn't return them. I happily went back to the old Yosemites before my next hog hunt.

A lot of varying opinions on this thread...
Thom

[Wapiti Chaser]

I bought the Leupold Yosemite after trying a friends and really like them . i just recommended them to another friend that hunts too .