Thread: Midget binos

I use Swaro 9x25 (I think that is the magnification) when I feel tired of carrying stuff but they are not comfortable: very unforgiving of eye position and low light performance is not impressive. I much prefer 10x42 Zeiss, when I really need to see (for hours at a time) and don't mind carrying.

@Shearer where did you get kowas from? See heaps of really good reviews on their optics

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

@Shearer where did you get kowas from? See heaps of really good reviews on their optics

B&H photography

Binoculars need to "fit" your eye and scan habit. The difference in power between 6-10 doesn't make a lot of difference for spotting game (determining more specific characteristics maybe, but that's not spotting) so i don't recommend anyone be talked into the opinion that "you'll see more with 10x than 7x".

You'll have a much higher chance of getting glass that suits by looking through it that trying to choose by specification - set yourself a price bracket and peer through as many pairs across a range of magnifications as you can before you choose. I had an exceptional pair of mid range Minox 7x bino's, and got a superb pair of top end 8x42's by peering though every set in all the shops between Invercargill and Chch.

@Ryan_Songhurst Kowa

Kowa Optics - Gunshop, Firearms Shop, Gunshop NZ, Hunting ... - Serious Shooters

I use 10x30 Swaros and they are great. Went for them over the 10x42 for weight saving when I was lightening all my gear. I really rate them and don't see the point in going to a 10x42 which are nearly twice the size and weight. Will glass all day happily and they gather light as well as my 3-15x50 Zeiss scope so I don't lose out on any shooting light either.

For the last 25 years I've been using 10x25's when hunting. I wanted a pair of Swarovski's but couldn't afford them at the time so I bought a pair of Doctors and they were bloody great. About 5 years ago I got a hell-deal on a pair of 10x25 Swaro's from TM and when my son lost the Doctors I replaced them with a pair of Leica 10x25's. So I now have two pairs of 10x25's and I rate them. It's true the field of view is smaller than larger binos and yes, the larger binos have great light-gathering benefits, but for day to day romping around the hills and for quick on-the-hop-flip-em-out-checks, they're so easy. When on the hill I keep the binos either down the front of my shirt or in a breast pocket. They're light, compact and fit in even the smallest breast pocket if you don't want them swinging around your neck. I prefer the Swaro's to the Leica's but there is very little to tell them apart. I think the swaro's are clearer on the last millimetre of the edge.

I was very keen on a pair of 10x42 EL Range Binos until I went and picked up a pair in the shop. They're big and heavy by comparison. They ARE nice. Very nice to look through, but then you need a bino bivvy and it just gets too cumbersome, too uncomfortable. I really like the Swaro 10x30's and would buy a pair tomorrow if they came with a range finding system. They're a little larger than the compacts but they're still light enough and almost small enough to justify not having a bino bivvy. Because I'm always in countryside like your photos Ryan, I prefer to have something light and something that doesn't add a burden to traversing those steep guts. Being able to hug the tussocks as you climb around in places you have no business being can be essential and having a big pair of binos hanging around your neck just doesn't do it for me. Yes, I compromise with the smaller FOV but when searching the guts and gullies for game I've never sat there and wished I had a bigger pair of binos. Quite the opposite - I've always been thankful I've had the compacts that I can slip into my pocket and forget about until next needed. In fact when searching for game the only thing I have ever wished for is a Spotting Scope - solely for the magnification. It's on my wish-list and I'm saving for a Swaro ATS, quietly.

There are some excellent comments in this thread, all very relevant and important to the individual user. Each to their own I guess.

Originally Posted by planenutz

For the last 25 years I've been using 10x25's when hunting. I wanted a pair of Swarovski's but couldn't afford them at the time so I bought a pair of Doctors and they were bloody great. About 5 years ago I got a hell-deal on a pair of 10x25 Swaro's from TM and when my son lost the Doctors I replaced them with a pair of Leica 10x25's. So I now have two pairs of 10x25's and I rate them. It's true the field of view is smaller than larger binos and yes, the larger binos have great light-gathering benefits, but for day to day romping around the hills and for quick on-the-hop-flip-em-out-checks, they're so easy. When on the hill I keep the binos either down the front of my shirt or in a breast pocket. They're light, compact and fit in even the smallest breast pocket if you don't want them swinging around your neck. I prefer the Swaro's to the Leica's but there is very little to tell them apart. I think the swaro's are clearer on the last millimetre of the edge.

I was very keen on a pair of 10x42 EL Range Binos until I went and picked up a pair in the shop. They're big and heavy by comparison. They ARE nice. Very nice to look through, but then you need a bino bivvy and it just gets too cumbersome, too uncomfortable. I really like the Swaro 10x30's and would buy a pair tomorrow if they came with a range finding system. They're a little larger than the compacts but they're still light enough and almost small enough to justify not having a bino bivvy. Because I'm always in countryside like your photos Ryan, I prefer to have something light and something that doesn't add a burden to traversing those steep guts. Being able to hug the tussocks as you climb around in places you have no business being can be essential and having a big pair of binos hanging around your neck just doesn't do it for me. Yes, I compromise with the smaller FOV but when searching the guts and gullies for game I've never sat there and wished I had a bigger pair of binos. Quite the opposite - I've always been thankful I've had the compacts that I can slip into my pocket and forget about until next needed. In fact when searching for game the only thing I have ever wished for is a Spotting Scope - solely for the magnification. It's on my wish-list and I'm saving for a Swaro ATS, quietly.

There are some excellent comments in this thread, all very relevant and important to the individual user. Each to their own I guess.

I like the 10x25 Leica's used them over 10 years now cant remember the last time I carried my 10x42 Geovid's, never felt eye needed more!

Originally Posted by xtightg

I like the 10x25 Leica's used them over 10 years now cant remember the last time I carried my 10x42 Geovid's, never felt eye needed more!

So are these 10x25 Leica more expensive that say the 10x25 Swarovski anyone?


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Originally Posted by Danny

So are these 10x25 Leica more expensive that say the 10x25 Swarovski anyone?


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Got a pair of the Leica of @Sarvo only used out to 300m on clearing where I sit and wait, happy wih them so far. Can't say what they are like compare to swaro. Find I use them more than my 10*40 as they are so much easier to get out, bit of a pain setting the tubes up to eye width everything though. Hoping hey will still do the job to find animals at longer distances....

Originally Posted by 223nut

Got a pair of the Leica of @Sarvo only used out to 300m on clearing where I sit and wait, happy wih them so far. Can't say what they are like compare to swaro. Find I use them more than my 10*40 as they are so much easier to get out, bit of a pain setting the tubes up to eye width everything though. Hoping hey will still do the job to find animals at longer distances....

Cheers 223
Yes - my only downer Re the pocket types is setting the width every time to suit
But - everything has its + and -
This - is a very happy to put up with one

Originally Posted by Danny

So are these 10x25 Leica more expensive that say the 10x25 Swarovski anyone?


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Sorry Danny Google is your friend I am not sure of the cost comparison today I just seemed to end up with Leica binos and one of their spotting scopes I don't think you would be disappointed with either I have two z8i Swarovski scopes which I am delighted with but no Leica scopes!

I would go with the best deal you find at the time.

Might be I found Leica easier to spell than Svaronkishy

Seen at Frankfurt airport recently (prices in Euro of course):

Nikon also have some pretty good mini bonus that are worth a look. I had a pair of excellent 8x20 (I thinK) from Nikon many years ago.

Thinking back it's surprising what people get used to, the Nikons were front shirt pocket jobs, but I quite happily carry my Leica RF 8x42's on the neck strap and tucked in my short all day - I've tried bono bivis etc but never liked them.

I have hit my Leica 10x25 Trinovid's on a rock face up the tops in the snow they condensed inside and would not focus properly so no use after that (at least they did not take up much room or become Geovid type dead weight in my pack the rest of the hunt) but I still could use my 7x magnification Leica 1600b range finder and scope not ideal but got me through the hunt.

I sent theTrinovid bino's direct to Leica Portugal and they repaired them for free. had the Trinovid's for around 14 years with no complaints.

Liked my 10x25 Trinovid's that much I imported a new pair of 10x25 Ultravid's when my Trinovids were stuffed rather than carry my 10x42 Geovid's.

I would recommend the Ultravid's as it is my understanding the Trinovid's are not waterproof