Thread: Midget binos

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):