What bino's do you carry when hunting?

Minox 6.5x32 IF. Used to carry 7x50 but I'm getting old so I wanted to downsize a bit without going entirely compact. The Minox are better quality than my old 7x50s so I think they more than make up for the slight loss in magnification and my eyes probably can't use the larger exit pupil anyway.
 
i'm using a set of bushnell infinity's that i picked up on ebay, they are 10.5. x 45. i practically stole em, the funny thing is the guy was selling another set (bushnell elite's i think) that are way less expensive to buy but they went for more i think cuz they had the camo jobby on them. o well, i got a steal of deal and they will be my bino's for life. lol. probably hand em down to my boy when i croak.
 
for many years i used my swarovski 10 x42 binoes . then i bought a pair of the ziess victory 10x25 compacts . very impressed with them .use those mainly now.
 
CheeseBurger said:
I've been looking at the Minox BL 8x56 BR. Anyone have any experience with these? They weigh in at just over a kilo - too heavy? My thought is that a lot of hunting is done in low light situations, so a big exit pupil would be a big advantage. What do you guys think?

I'll be hunting in either BC or AB, don't know where the girlfriend and I will end up after our edumication stint in Cowtown. Spending a $1000 would be pushing the budget, so I think the big names are out.
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FYI, in AB you can only hunt from 1/2 hour before until 1/2 hour after sun up/down. I have absolutely no problem seeing everything I need to with 40mm-range objectives, hell I could probably get away with 30-32mm. 2 1/2lbs is a bit hefty, especially if foot hunting.

As for price, there are a number of leupolds under a grand. Decent binos. The Minox glass is very good, but I have no experience with their field / abusability properties.

Just some thoughts.
 
I have a number of pair to choose from and depending on the hunt I'll
use the Leica 8x42 Geovids, or the 7x42 Discoverers from Bushnell. 10x50 Celestrons are very comfortable to hold for a 10 power. fS
 
I got a pair of leupold 10x acadias last winter and have been really impressed with them. I would love to own leicas or swarvorski but my budget didnt allow for those big names, i have a buddy who uses vortex binos and he really likes them they are also a nice budget bino.
 
Leica 8 x 32

I carry the Leica 8 x 32 and like everything about them. Size, weight, magnification etc. Even with the smaller objective lens you can damn near see in the dark. I have compared them side by side the Swarovski and can't see any difference.

I don't care for anything in 10 power as I seem to get a lot of eye strain and need to sit and hold them steady on my knees to counter the extra magnification.
 
10x42 Swarvoski EL. Expensive at $1300 but not overly large and with the glass and coatings no eyestrain as in some 10 powers. Exceptional light gathering early and late. Love them. I have had several previous types and for the cost I really like the camera guys glasses, i.e. Nikon and Minolta.
 
I've had a whole series of Binoculars over the years finally resulting in a set of 10x42 Leica Ultravids which frankly are better than I need and have the glassing ability to use. I also have a set of 6.5x32 Minox IF,s my son uses a set of Pentax HP11 8x42, I had a set of Pentax Sp's prior to the Leicas, very good.

If I was spending $400 today I would look at Pentax first then Minox. Leupold is overpriced, not that great, the big three Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss are all great but well over $1,000 , don't get mini's, Nikon makes a whole range from cheap to fantastic, but they don't feel great in my hands.
 
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