Short range, low light binoculars

[Maclean]

Looking for suggestions on short range binoculars. I like to refer to it as stalking glass, not what you use for scanning great distance, but what you use for picking apart everything in the 50 to 100 yard zone while still hunting.

I used to have a pair of Bausch & Lomb 7x24 compact binos but they turned up missing  ... and I've been unable to find a suitable replacement.

What are you guys using?

[RIVERWOLF]

I've used a pair of Leupold yosemite 6x30's for a lot of years.(you can see them tucked under my draw arm  Great little bino for picking apart cover & getting a closer look.  I like the long strap that comes with the bino's. I don't care for chest carry anything.With the long strap they stay under my draw arm till needed , and best part ...They do NOT interfere with my shooting worn like this !

I've tried/used mono's a few time's, but these little bino's  work great for small ohio woodlots with a mix of crop fields, brushy areas thrown in .

Best with the quest my friend

[Joe2Crow]

For short range AND low light, nothing beats a good pair of 7x42. Plenty of mag and a 6mm exit pupil for low light. Mine are Leicas and I love them. The discontinued Zeiss Classic 7x42 are perfect!

[Michael Guran]

I’ve had some 8x32 Leica Trinovids for over 20 years and they are perfect for that scenario.  I’ve tried several brands of smaller mini binos, and they were terrible in low light…

[Maclean]

Thanks for the input guys. The Leupold 6 x 30s looked good and got great reviews but sadly are no longer available. The Leicas are obviously great glass but are WAY out of my price range @ +/- $950.
I'll keep looking, no pun intended.

Any other suggestions?

[ozy clint]

Swarovski Habicht 7x42. Best light transmission there is. I love mine for exactly what you ask for. You will hand them down to you grandson such is the build quality.

Don't let the Swaro name scare you off budget wise. I'm not sure they are available in the USA but you can certainly get them out of Europe. You get top end glass for less than half the price of top end roof prism binos. I'd be surprised if you couldn't find them within your budget.

There is volumes written about them on BirdForum.

[ozy clint]

Just did a quick search. First hit was optic-trade.eu
They have the Habicht 7x42GA (GA means rubber armour) for AU$1400. Well within your budget. Last I heard the AU$ was 67 US¢.

[Maclean]

Just did a quick search. First hit was optic-trade.eu
They have the Habicht 7x42GA (GA means rubber armour) for AU$1400. Well within your budget. Last I heard the AU$ was 67 US¢.

Thanks ozy. I'm afraid my earlier post wasn't very clear.
My budget isn't +/- $950, $950 is way over my meager budget.

Is there anything out there under $200 that's worth a hoot?

[kennym]

I've been using Vortex Diamondback 8x28 for a few years. They work well for me in the midwest timber and crop fields.

They are pretty inexpensive yet have pretty good glass.

Amazon- if you don't like em, you can return easily...

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Bushnell 7x26 custom compact elite. No longer manufactured but you can pick up new ones on some of the optics or photo websites. I just found them for $226 with free shipping.

Dad used these for over 50 years (3 pairs total) and I've used them for 30. Great compact binos. Had a guide in BC making fun of them a dozen years ago till I saw a couple moose before him 😀

Not Leica or swaros but I've used them all over the US and Canada, in Australia and in Africa and been plenty happy.

R

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Doing some more looking...they are getting hard to find 😞 gonna hold tight onto my old ones for sure...
R

[4dogs]

Im with Kenny..check out the vortex glass..really hard to beat for the money.

[Terry Green]

I had a pair of Pentax YEARS ago, and they served me well for years till they finally fogged up.

Have a look and see if these might fit your needs.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=pentax+binoculars

Make sure you scroll down to see more models and lower prices.

[whiskyweasel]

Hard to beat Vortex's customer service and warranty with the price either. I took my son out scouting and left my binos on the roof when I was buckling him into his car seat. Watched them tumble by my rear window as I reached speed on the highway. Full repair service and shipping covered for free, easy peasy.

[Maclean]

Thanks again, everyone for the input.

This is such a great forum.

[M1982]

If I were buying today I think I would go with the Vortex 8x32. They are in the mid $250 range. I purchased a set of Meopta 8x40 2 years ago that are fantastic but a little large for walking and hunting. I have a small pair of Steiner 10x26 that are ok but a little small. So for me that 8x32 Vortex would be in between.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

My hunting buddy really like his vortex binos, he's got alot of years experience hunting out west, diamondback 8x28. Under 200$. He had them in AK this year, looked pretty good to me. He was sold on their warranty as well.

R

[Wheels2]

I have a pair of Nikon 8x42 that I have been using for a bunch of years.
A good rule of thumb is to have a lense diameter (in mm) that is at least 4.5 times greater than the magnification.   If memory serves me the actual figure is 4.2
Makes sense when you look at lense diameters of rifle scopes vs max magnification

[smokin joe]

I have an old pair of Leupold Yosemite 6x30 Binoculars that I have used for many years. They are perfect for hunting in the thick eastern deer woods. There are a few 6x30 binocs still being made, and maybe some Leupold Yosemites still in stock somewhere. If you do a google search you will find some. You can't go wrong with the 6x30 size for hunting the thick woods.

[bman940]

I agree with going with Meopta binos. I use MeoStar B1 Plus 10x32s for treestand hunting. Even with a 32mm obj these MeoStar's have great light transmission and haven't let me down yet. They are not cheap, but quality never is. The only issue is finding them in stock, they seem to sell out as soon as they arrive at online shops.