Thread: Midget binos

Originally Posted by Maxx

Why, specifically?

Small field of view and the lica's I tried were too small for my eye width I could see out the sides.

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.

Originally Posted by Maxx

Why, specifically?

Many reasons for eye strain with binoculars. One can be that the prisms are not correctly aligned so the two visual axes are not parallel. The bigger the magnification, the more that will be a problem. Even a fraction of a hairs breadth out may cause eye strain. With an expensive pair of binos, you'd have to ask, were they dropped real hard?

Other causes can be the binos are too heavy. Or too much magnification (shaky image and having to pan too much).

If the exit pupil is small, say in a pair of 10x25s with 2.5mm exit pupil, the binoculars are not so forgiving of eye positioning as some 7x35s which have twice as wide exit pupil (the width of the shaft of light coming out the eyepiece).

Don't do this for too long, but monocular telescopes have a use for that closer look, if you haven't got zoom telescopic sights for that use:



A short blurb on the use of telescopes in "upland deerstalking" from Why do upland deer stalkers seem to prefer telescopes? - Shooting UK

There’s a number of reasons the main one being that for any given magnification a telescope will be smaller and lighter than an equivalent set of binoculars.
Trying to assess a stag’s head from up to a mile away would require a colossal (and heavy) set of binos but an equivalent scope would be a quarter of the size and weight.
Furthermore a scope is much easier to hold steady in a prone position and for studying detail at long range there’s really no substitute.
The reason binoculars are so popular closer to sea level is because they have a wider field of view and are far easier to use from a standing or sitting position around fields and woods where ranges are shorter.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Brian

Small field of view and the lica's I tried were too small for my eye width I could see out the sides.

Thanks

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!

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

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

Thanks for all responses and especially as I’m not the OP and I’ve chimed in and taken over. Apologies


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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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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