Best compact or midsized binoculars without breaking the bank

quinnjoblow

quinnjoblow

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I notice last year while turkey and deer hunting that my eyesight wasn't as good at locating game from a ground blind or trees stand in low morning light. I have decided to buy a set of binoculars to keep in my pack. I want something somewhat compact low power, 8x or lower power that will give me a sharp image in lower light. Something waterproof and durable. My budget top end would be $200 so anything German is out of the running.
I just don't want to end up with the $19.99 bubble pack combo folding knife binocular set everyone's Aunt bought them for their 12th birthday. If anyone can tell me what they have and if they like them please help me out.
 
German quality is in your price range! Steiner 8x30 Military / Marine Binocular, I have a pair and they're bomb proof. These are everyday use gear that will last a lifetime. Simple porro prism get's you the same quality as a roof prism with less cost and better durability.
 
these are a very good compact and durable (they are not waterproof - but I keep a ziplock bag handy in my pocket for emergency's) they come (or did anyway) with an excellent case etc. and you can find them new for $225 in the US -- possibly Canada.

Here's a review - they are still available- and I believe still made in Japan

http://betterviewdesired.com/Bushnell-7x26-Custom.php

Years ago I purchased among the first Japanese compact roof prism's (Konica 8x,20) then a Leitz Trinovid 8x,20 BCA and many other smaller roof and porro binoculars - I still have them but these 7x,26 have been the best overall value imo although there are some newer very good bino's I havent looked at carefully like "Zen" etc.

I find with bino's that are too pricey I get a little OCD with them and they end up sitting in a drawer rather than going to the field. I use the 7x,26 and am always pleased.


I once recommended that a friend purchase the Steiner 8x,30 Whitetail ...which was a premium priced Steiner at the time. It did not last 2 years. I since witnessed this with several other Steiner bino's. YMMV and I am sure they must have improved.
 
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62171

Best compact bino's I ever peeped through!

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Anything with less than a 30mm objective lens won't be much good for low light regardless of manufacturer and you'll be disappointed. I'd look for one in the 8x30 range at minimum. I'd also save up for a bit so your budget is in the $400-$500 range, your options open up quite a bit, and don't be afraid to buy a used set on the EE here or eBay, just do your homework on prices. I bought a used set of Zeiss Classic 8x30 T* for $375 off eBay a few years ago, great compact binocs.
 
The Nikon LX have always been highly regarded and while I dont know about Minox binoculars ... Minox certainly know how to make an ultra high resolution lens: the older Minox Complan lens (with a curved film plane) could reach in excess of 370 line pair/mm. Well before 35mm "process" lens where considered extraordinary to hit 100lppm and most great lenses hit 80lppm (but only at certain apertures and usually only in the center of the image field) In fact it was only the discontinued Kodak "Technical Pan" film that could even resolve this level of detail. And it's not like Nikon fell off a turnip truck either. I have two sets of 8x,30E Nikon's and they are also excellent!! The SE are even better!!

BUT my comments regarding the 7x26 Custom Bushnell's relate to best overall value (image/cost) in a compact (NON Waterproof) bino. It is worth repeating though that IF you must have a waterproof binocular -- then look elsewhere -- if not then these are for sure worth looking at.

I currently have and have owned many roof prism binoculars but prefer porroprism as I think they still represent marginally better value (eg lower cost for excellent image) although new mechanized manufacturing techniques are probably closing the gap quickly.


"Anything with less than a 30mm objective lens won't be much good for low light regardless of manufacturer and you'll be disappointed" ... I think you will find that a 7x,26 porroprism will exceed the low light level capability of most 8x,30 roof prism binoculars and suggest you try them before making that claim.
 
if you want low light use, none of the compacts will do. if you want compact, a 30mm lens diameter isn't all that small either, and still not enough for low light conditions (not sure what your expectation are, but low light is for me nothing below 8x50 or 10x56)
you can go with a compromise 8x42 etc. as many do. (the selection of 7x30 is pretty small)
I use currently a 8x20 Zeiss. fits into any shirt pocket and just as good until civil sunset (completely useless thereafter though). because of the small lenses it is comparably affordable for a Zeiss Victory...
 
Well no doubt that a 10x, 50SL Swarovski gives a great low light image. As do the Elcan 7x,50 etc ... but they are also heavy and bulky....and frankly not much fun to carry along with other miscellaneous hunting gear into to the bush. The other significant hunting (as opposed to shooting) factor is "why things are seen" ... those who have been the victim of endless hours of military lectures on this subject and the use of optics to observe ... will remember that things are "seen" because of shape, colour and MOVEMENT. If you think carefully (for most of us anyway) the last time we were hunting and saw a whitetail deer first it was likely because of some small movement.. and ear or a tail flick, head dropping to browse etc etc. As a result one important quality of a binocular when used to "find" game rather than "observe" it is to have as large a field of view as practical. This way even game in the periphery of your vision that moves or provides an unusual shape against the background can be picked up and located. Lower power bino's (all things equal) also provide a wider field of view...they are also easier to hold steady for longer periods of time and are as a result less tiring to use... so we use them more.

Lots of other factors ... but every time I read where someone wants a 16x,50 (or 12x,50) bino - I bang my head on the table!!
 
I bought a pair of these last year and they are awesome for the price and have a lifetime guarantee plus costco is easy to deal with if there is an issue.
http://www.costco.ca/Celestron-Nature-DX-10x32-mm-Binoculars.product.100041141.html
I bought a pair of Minox on sale from Camera land afterwards and I can't really see any difference looking through them but the Minox are way heavier so I tend to use the lighter Celestron's.
Chinese optics have come a long way!

The 30mm lenses brighten things up in dark forest conditions just fine. Obviously bigger is better but when you bring these cheap Chinese bino's up to your eyes the light amplification is noticeable.
 
I found a set of Celestron 6.5x,44 ED bino's in a pawn shop a number of years ago. The colour and contrast they provide is still pretty spectacular. These were still made in Japan then ... but Celestron certainly knows how to make a very good optic. They sit in a kitchen cupboard and I like using them for birds in the back yard. They arent too heavy but they also arent designed to be dropped on a concrete floor. I think there are a few real "stinkers" out there in terms of bino's but once you get around $200 there can also be some great choices. The ones I stay away from are the "pseudo German/Germanic" names like Carl Wetzlar etc that were made in the orient and targeted at gullible buyers who thought they were buying high quality from "the fatherland" ... one tip off is the plastic carry strap ... another is the glue (rather than an iron strap) securing the prisms ... and of course the slightly out of focus image!

The better quality Japanese glass has never been ashamed to tell you where it was made and by whom.
 
AP said:
"Anything with less than a 30mm objective lens won't be much good for low light regardless of manufacturer and you'll be disappointed" ... I think you will find that a 7x,26 porroprism will exceed the low light level capability of most 8x,30 roof prism binoculars and suggest you try them before making that claim.
Click to expand...

I don't think I need to find a pair of Bushnell's to substantiate my claim, especially if I have to carry them in a Ziploc bag to keep from getting wet.
 
Check out burris landmark 8 or 10 x 32. Reading lic plates 2-300 yards away, they were as clear in daylight as my nikons. Reliable sells them for $200, but there are several sellers on ebay for under $60 and ship to canada.

I bought a bunch 10 years ago, recently the pivot screw came loose on my dads, sent them back thru US and got a new pair 3 weeks later. Pretty good considering I got them for $39 and he used them for 10 years.

The best for $200? No, but great for a pair in each vehicle, etc!
 
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