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Binos for a backpack? small or big?

B

baliodude

Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
219
Hi guys,
I cant decide.

Should I go for a small 10/25 (very light) I can actually keep it in the pack at all times.

Or go for a 10/42 with much better capabilities? But much heaver and takes up too much space?

I want it for my bob/hunting backpack/survival etc.....
 
10x is very powerful and not of much use w/o a VERY steady hand. 10x25 isn't going to transmit much light and the image will be very dark. Then there's whether you're looking at poro (heavier but more bang for the buck) or roof (lighter weight) prisms. I've had my eyes on Leupold 6x32 Katmais forever as a nice, light, small, packable bino, but have never been able to work up the funds. I love my Nikon Action EX 7x35 binos, but they're definitely on the heavy sign and do start dragging you down after a few miles.
 
I would go with 8x42's in a roof prism. Preferably something waterproof. The 40-ish mm lens size binos are still nice and packable (especially when in a roof prism), but get you much more light than 25's. 8x is a good general-purpose magnification.

As far as weight goes, Pentax has a few that aren't too heavy, and they give you a great value.
 
baliodude said:
Hi guys,
I cant decide.

Should I go for a small 10/25 (very light) I can actually keep it in the pack at all times.

Or go for a 10/42 with much better capabilities? But much heaver and takes up too much space?

I want it for my bob/hunting backpack/survival etc.....
Click to expand...



I have bought several binoculars over the years, and it wasn't until I bought a VERY LIGHT and HIGH QUALITY Zeiss 10x25 (http://www.scopecity.com/photo_pup.htm?pix3/450-32074.jpg) that I started carrying/using them regularly.

I think they were about $400 when I bought them, and that was a big outlay for me, but I can say they are worth every penny and truly are one of my all-time favorite pieces of outdoor gear.

When you buy compact (or ANY) roof prism binocs, be sure to pick ones with phase-coated prisms. I had previously purchased a Pentax 8-power compact phase-coated set, and although the image quality is excellent, they are too heavy for true shirt pocket carry. The Zeiss are lighter... light enough that they are convenient to carry. So they get used a LOT.

Paying for them only hurt for a minute, but I've had years of enjoyment from them.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
You mention hunting/survival etc. Depending on the type of hunting it can easily require a great deal of time glassing. 10x25 gives you an apeture of 2.5mm. This is only .5mm larger than minimum contraction of your pupil. Due the small apeture, and the instability caused by their light weight, 10x25 are good for short term use, and are ideal for a BOB/survival sit. Not so hot for hunting. I have found it an impossibity to have one pair of binos that will cover all aspects. When looking at large apeture binos, insure that you are not wasting your money. The next time you have an eye exam, ask what is your maximum pupil dialation (done without the drops). 7mm is the max for humans, but this varies between individuals and other factors, such as age can cause this number to drop. It does you no good to use a pair of 7x50's when your max is 5mm. Your 10x42's are heavy compared to the 10x25's, so you will have to decide if the weight is worth it. Also, the larger binos are going to cost a lot more esp. if you are looking to get a good pair i.e. Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovski. Recently I bought a pair of 6.5x32 Minox, however in my EDC I carry a pair of Zeiss 6x20.
 
I don't see out of my right eye! I'm not blind in that eye but the focus is so out of whack without at lot of correction my brain disregards the images sent from it when both eyes are open.
Before this became a major issue I have and always thought the Bushmaster 16x32 was the perfect compromise between magnification, objective lens and size and weight
So I carry a monocular 10x25 the don't get much smaller or lighter that a single barrel.
When I googled them it turns out it is work at the top of the list.
So tell them you got the link from Carl. Don't get upset if you don't get a reply this week we're moving buildings.
Carl
 
I like small. Nikon Travelites are a good value - waterproof and packable

SANY0009-7.jpg
 
What kind of price range are you looking at?

I find the mini binoculars (20-25 mm objective) to be pretty dark unless you're in bright sunlight. They are lightweight and great for EDC but if you spend any length of time looking through them you will probably start to notice eye strain. Conversely, the 42+mm objectives have great performance but as you said are very big and bulky. I only break these out if my purpose is to use the binoculars (birding, watching sports, etc.)

I split the difference and got a pair of 10x32, they are smaller and lighter than a full size but are more useable than a mini set. I keep them in my backpack when hiking.

The view in the 10x does wobble quite a bit unless you have a very steady hold. Some days I wish I had gone with 8x32 instead.
 
I carry an Orion 8x32 Eagle Eye monocular when I hike. It's pretty much all I need for when I'm on the trail.
 
like a lot of choices, it's a matter of compromise- bigger glass will outperform smaller glass (all other things being equal), bigger glass is - well bigger :) and heavier

there are some quality small binos out there- as mentioned above the Zeiss 10x25 are a good choice

I carry Leupold 10x28 Goldring glasses for backpacking & hunting (unless I really, really need big glass)- unfortuantely they've been discontinued, but I see them for sale used ebay occasionally- I can vouch for the optics- fully waterproof too

here's a set for sale:

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/st...ct-Roof-IF-10x28-Waterproof_270454666791.html
 
I can hold ten power binos with no problem. My backpackers are Minolta 8 x 20mm and 10 x 25mm. My hunters are Pentax 10 x 42mm and some older Nikon 9 x 30mm.

Several friends have Zeiss and Swaro compacts around 8 or 10 power and 20-25mm. I may end up with a pair to upgrade the Minoltas (which are fine but not as excellent).

If I had a lot of money and wanted one do-all set of binos, I would get the top Zeiss model in either 8 x 32mm or 10 x 32mm. They cost a fortune but the resolution and color rendition was breathtaking and they seemed about as bright as my 10 x 42mm Pentax---but noticeably lighter.

DancesWithKnives
 
Really good question! :)

It wasn't until I picked up a pair of Swarovski pocket 8x20 binoculars that I consistently carry them, even on small day hikes. They fit easily into a pocket, and are light.

Binoculars are like knives... the best one is the one you have with you :)
 
2009.05.14.R0018288.JPG

This is a photo taken though my binocular Fujinon 8x32 FMTR.
A female peregrine falcon taking rest on a seaside cliff.
I highly recommend this binocular for the people living in this WSS.
It's robust and sharp as your knife.
 
As others have said, 10X may be too much binocular for general use. I find that I can generally do everything I need with a quality 6X or 8X. Most people will see more detail with a quality 8X than they will with the shaky image that often comes with hand holding a 10X.

Also, keep in mind that porro prism bins will get you much more performance for the cash than roof prism bins. You generally have to pay about 3-4X more for roof prisms to get the performance of a decent porro prism bin. Roof prisms, however, are more compact.

Keep in mind that as you go up in magnification, you will also have to go up in objective size in order to maintain good low light capability (exit pupil). The human eye's pupil will dilate to about 7-9mm when it is dark adjusted (depending on age). I try to choose binoculars that support that 7-9mm dilation as much as possible so I generally seek binoculars that offer at least a 5 or 6 exit pupil. This was I can be sure that the binoculars are providing nearly as much light as my eyes can handle, this ensuring good low light performance.

One of the most compact ways to get that magic 5-6 exit pupil is with a nice set of 6X30 binoculars. Exit pupil is determined by dividing the objective size by the magnification. In the case of the 6X30s, that would be 30mm/6=5mm. So a pair of 6X30 bins have an exit pupil of 5mm.

My favorite 6X30 bins ate the Leupold Yosemite. The Yosemites have a lifetime warranty. They are excellent porro prism bins that are quite compact. They are extremely affordable and the image quality will blow you away. You have to spend A LOT more to get this kind of performance from roof prisms.

If you are looking for an affordable 8X that offers good performance check out the Nikon ATB line. Their 8X42 Nikon Monarch ATBs are my favorite all around bins. I think there is a rebate on them right now.

If you do decide to check out something compact, Bushnell offers an amazing little pair of porro prism 8X compacts in their Legend line. The quality is excellent for the money.

Be sure to ask lots of questions because no one wants to get stuck with lousy binoculars! You can really miss out on a lot of detail.
 
+1 on the Nikon Travelites. I have the 8x25 waterproof ones. I'm nowhere near as learned in binos as most of the posters above me, but all I can say is is that they have a clear and crisp image (Is image the right word?) and are light and compact enough for me.
 
baldtaco-II is on the money here IMHO. I have a Zen-Ray ED 8x43 and you can't really beat them for the price. Optically they are almost as good as the big 3 for a fraction of the cost. I didn't even know they had a 7x36; I may have to check a pair out for myself.
 
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