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Binos for a backpack? small or big?

Hi guys,

I just ordered Nikon Monarch 10/42..........22oz without the case.
I found them discounted at 300$ at REI :)

I went for the heavy instead of the compacts because of the money involved. I Thought that if I cant have both, I might aswell go for the full zised one.
Thank you for the tips and advice.
 
I know a lot of folks with glasses that have had success with the monarchs. You'll probably just want to keep the eye cups twisted down. That being said, it all depends on your face, glasses, and how they line up with the binos. :)
 
Watching night sky with binocular is also a wonderful experience.
In that case, opt lens diameter better larger than 30mm IMO.
 
IMO field of view is the important number when choosing small binocs. My boss has a pair of Minolta binocs that are small but have an 8 degree field of view. It really draws the light in and makes for a wider view as opposed to feeling like you're looking through a tunnel.
Since minolta doesn't make them anymore, the closest thing I could find was by Olympus for around $40 and I think they had a 7.5 degree fov.
Of course if you have an unlimited budget I'm sure you could do better but I'm cheap.
 
I use a small, high quality monocular for hiking, mostly to find trail markers. I have some 7X50's for bird watching, but you are right, they are very bulky.
When you are buying, don't forgrt to hold the binocs away from your face and look through them! wiggle them a bit and see if you can see a "Diamond" shape through the lens. If you can, that is bad. it means the lenses are out of alignment, and you will get a fuzzy edge while viewing normally. Pick up a cheap pair of opera glasses or low end binocs and you will instantly be able to see what I am talking about. This does not just affect clarity, but light transmission as well. you might have to go through a few pair to get one that is properly aligned. The Japanese and german lenses seem to be of higher quality control than the others.
 
I have a hiking stick that I made about 4 years ago.
I mounted a 4X Leupold pistol scope on it.Weaver mount.
I pull it up to my shoulder, like a rifle, and can pick up on a "target" immediately.
The bird watchers freak out when they are ' scanning' with their binocs and I hand them the stick. They pull it up, " aim" and right there is what they were trying to find.
4x is plenty of power out to 100 yards or so. Skip the hype and advertising.
 
If the binos are going to be used most of the time, I'd go for the best full size glass you can afford, but if they are going to spend most of their time riding in the pack, I'd go for compacts.
 
+1 for Nikon Travelites. Good Binos for the money. Good for hiking and bird watching.

Hunting I use a pair of Steiners 10x42 for lower light situations.

In binoculars you get what you pay for. I don't rmember seeing what your budgaet was. That info. might help narrow down the field.

Paul
 
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