lightweight carry binos

DallasBlaine

DallasBlaine

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looking for a good set of compact, reliable binoculars, for spotting some far distances, let me know what you use.
will be using for seal hunting, also spotting for geese, thanks.
 
DallasBlaine said:
looking for a good set of compact, reliable binoculars, for spotting some far distances, let me know what you use.
will be using for seal hunting, also spotting for geese, thanks.
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the best value in compact ‘useful’ binoculars with excellent image quality is :
Bushnell 7x26 Elite Compact Binocular . They are sharp - provide better light than the traditional 8x,20 compacts and have a good field of view ... also lower powers tend to be much easier for viewing when you may be on a boat or observing a moving animal like a seal.
Unfortunately it would probably be better for your application if it was waterproof - which it is not. For that I think the Nikon Monarch 7 8x,30 are an excellent choice (and there are lots of other options)
 
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will be using it during Spring time where there is still ice, also could be used during summer/fall time i guess for other things (Arctic Hare geese, etc)..
have used & still got a bushnell moncular just doesn't cut it, probably because not high powered..
 
DallasBlaine said:
looking for a good set of compact, reliable binoculars, for spotting some far distances, let me know what you use.
will be using for seal hunting, also spotting for geese, thanks.
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Spotting small animals at a long distance when they bend in so well if not where I would want to be going too compact. 8x32 would be as small as I would go and, to me completely honest, 10x42 would be much better. I'd look at the Kowa 8x42BD to split the difference. Kowa makes top quality glass...you won't be sorry.
 
sigpig said:
Why not cut the weight in half and go with a monocular??
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I think it would suck to do extensive glassing with one eyeball. Monoculars aren't very popular, and there's a reason for that. Unless you only have one eye to begin with, you're better off keeping both eyes open, even for shooting.

I carry 8x30 Swaros, and I'm quite happy with them. Reasonably compact, and weigh in at 19 or 20 oz. I've tried the sub-compact 8x20's and the ilk, but I don't like them. Too limited in field of view, and too difficult to use for eyeglass wearers like myself. The only advantage the larger objective 8x40's would have is in low light performance. This isn't critical for my type of hunting, so I don't miss it. 10x40's are very popular where there are wide open spaces, and if I lived out west I might prefer them.
 
I'll second the 10x42. Imo if your going to carry a small pair you might as well just go to a full size functional pair. Throw them on a harness instead of in a pocket or pack and you won't notice the extra size and you will use them a lot more often and see more game. I have a set of Bushnell excursion 10x42 and they are excellent for their size. I find them very compact for a "full size" set. I would only use 7-8x glass if I was hunting dense bush areas but in the wide open 10x will really shine. A monocular is never a good option. I've never looked through a decent one anyway.
 
I've used Leice 7X35's for decades and have never been disappointed. Wonderful image quality, relatively small and quite light. I have a few bino's with 42mm objectives, Leica 7x42, Zeiss 7x42 and set of Pentax 8x40's and none are as light or compact as the Leica 7x35. If you're looking for game very early or late, go for the larger objective but they are not as light or compact as a 7x35.
 
Thanks to all who shared there story on this or that.
I'll make myself more clear on this, Don't really have to be compact, just need to be reliable, & nice crisp clear lenses, will look at what you fellers have posted also price range.
would be good to have a carrying case or bag to go on your chest or what not, seeing I use snowmobile from late November to late spring, hunting & scouting around.
will be used also on boat.
 
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These days Steiner compacts seem to be very good value for your money.
Gone are the days of Japanese made Tasco EXP optics sadly! At the same time I gave a hard look at Nikon Monarch series bino. Seemed to be little difference in brightness and quality to my eyes.
Not sure if they held up their good quality standard??
Stay away from Banner or Bushnell, unless it is the Elite series partnership with Bausch & Lomb IMO. Pulls the eyeballs out of your head with dirty fingers! Lol
 
BigUglyMan said:
Spotting small animals at a long distance when they bend in so well if not where I would want to be going too compact. 8x32 would be as small as I would go and, to me completely honest, 10x42 would be much better. I'd look at the Kowa 8x42BD to split the difference. Kowa makes top quality glass...you won't be sorry.
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Hayya Biggly'Un...........whom would have the bestestest deal awn theez?
 
big boar said:
I've used Leice 7X35's for decades and have never been disappointed. Wonderful image quality, relatively small and quite light. I have a few bino's with 42mm objectives, Leica 7x42, Zeiss 7x42 and set of Pentax 8x40's and none are as light or compact as the Leica 7x35. If you're looking for game very early or late, go for the larger objective but they are not as light or compact as a 7x35.
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the 7X,35 are terrific binoculars ... had a friend who was the service manager in Toronto for Leitz ( he sold me my first set of 7x50 Elcans) .... he personally thought the leitz 7x35 were the ‘best’ in his opinion! Hard to find though.
 
AP, yes the LEICA (or LEITZ) 7X35's are likely the best when it comes to optical performance AND compactness. At very early morning/late evening the 7X42's (both Leica and Zeiss ) have an edge but they're about 1 1/2" longer and just slightly heavier. They come up occasionally on the EE and Evilbay.
 
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