compact binoculars

I have a couple of smaller bino's. One older pair is 8X25 and the other is 10X25. Neither pair is the cutting edge of technology but they work while I'm saving up my coin for a good pair of 6X30s. Don't skimp on your optics, get the best you can, even if you have to save for awhile or go into hock to do it. You won't be sorry.
 
With compact binoculars, the field of view becomes very important. I wouldn't go any higher than 8x in magnification. You can find compacts with magnification up to 12x, but their field of view is so small that they're painful to use. I started out with 12x (assumed more magnification would be better), but finally gave them away.

I just replaced my compact's with a pair of Nikon 8x21's and am very pleased with them. They have very decent optics and are well made -- I think I paid around $60 for them.

John Ownby

John C. Ownby Handmade Knives
 
Pentax UCF mini 8x21 is my fave! They are tiny and the barrels are porro prism with a central housing. I am not a fan of the "truly foldup" models since the barrels each operate independantly and are at times difficult to align quickly . . . for me!
I definitely agree with the "don't scrimp" mentality. I pair of cheap binos may look OK for the one minute look you give through them in the store . . . then make your head feel like it is gonna split open if you are sitting on a hill and try to glass a drain for an hour!:eek: :barf: :eek:
By the best you can!!
 
I posted this before somewhere else on the BF'S but I'll say it again. Sightron optics are quality buys,the glass is top notch and the lifetime warranty is unbeatable.fair warning,they are not cheap but well worth it.
 
I've got an inexpensive 8 X 21, and it works pretty well. My dad has a Brunton 8 X 25 that's very nice. He's given away a couple of other inexpensive pairs since he got it, and the Brunton wasn't that expensive in the first place.

My problem is I have a "vertical prism" in my eyes that my eyeglasses correct, and I can never quite superimpose both images well when using binoculars.

I'm going to go monocular and see what happens. Brunton has a 6 X 30 that looks sa-weet.
 
Last year I did a series of side-by-side comparisons between several of the upper end compact binos (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, etc.). In the end I was most impressed by the performance of the Leica 8x20 binos. They are solidly constructed, fold up into a very compact package, and, as might be expected, the optical quality is outstanding. If you can justify spending $300 plus for binos of this size, the Leicas won't disappoint.
 
What sold me on the Swarovski 8x20 pocket binoculars is the eye relief. If you wear eyeglasses and don't want to take them off every time you look through the binos, this is critical. I have a pair of IOR Valdada 8x that I had to cut the rubber eyecups off of in order to use them with my glasses on. The Swarovskis have screw-in eyecups that let you adjust the eye relief. They also have superlative optics. I got mine on Ebay for more than $100 less than I saw them anywhere else.
 
I recently bought my SmokeJumper nephew a pair of Steiner 8x25s for $149 from SWFA. Superb optics at a wonderful price.
 
I started out with a Steiner 8X22 and they are pretty good. A friend let me try his Swarovski 10X25s and boy, what a difference! I sold a pistol and got a pair.
 
I'm with Bronco, although I bought the 10 x 25 Leica compacts.
They're not cheap, but they are probably the best for backpacking etc.
Lenny
 
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