Thread: Ultra compact binos - what's good?

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

I have a pair of 10x25 Leica's, call them my fishing or my pocket bino's. Excellent glass, lightweight and easy to fit in to your pocket. Seen plenty of animals with them.

That's my thought - I find I tend to bring my little pocket set where I wouldn't bring the big set, and even though my current pair is really junk, they don't bother me much.

Originally Posted by rupert

I have a pair of Swarovski's 9x25. I would prefer x8 due to the limitations of the tiny objectives. They are ultra clear but not easy to use. An alternative is the 7x26 Bushnell Elites which are amazingly clear and easier to use in the small binos area. But in reality, 8x30 is the smallest I can tolerate for any significant glassing. It is a balance between convenience and ease of use. Some of the 8x30s are physically quite small.

That's my thought - too much magnification on too small an objective and it's just too dark. 8x seems like a good sweet spot.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

I have a set of 12x30 Cabela's brand
They are made in Japan and I suspect by Nikon.
Great little glasses for when you don't want to carry big binos.
When I bought them twenty years ago, 12 was a bit to much. But now my eyes are fading 12 power is pretty good.
They fit in a chest pocket, or hang around my neck under a shirt and I actually forget they are there.
They were about a thousand dollars cheaper than a set of Leica 10x25 when I bought them, but there's not a thousand dollars worth of difference.
I'm not discrediting the Leica's though. They are awesome little glasses too. Attachment 232960

Yeah - would be lovely to have high end binos, but I don't get out nearly enough to spend that kind of money.... yet