Can someone tell me why I should choose one over the other for a pair of hunting bino's? I'm thinking something like 8x40's in the max $300-400 range. Is it the ruggedness, waterproofing and compactness that make roof prism bino's worth the extra money? They do seem nicer in the hand, but don't to my eyes seem any better than a pair of $250 Leupold porro's. Any thoughts and suggestions?
Porro vs roof hunting binos
- Thread starter Grizzlypeg
- Start date
Porros are cheaper to build and they tend to be short and fat. Roofs are typically seen in top quality binos and their cylindrical construction is inherently more durable. There are good and bad in both, but if it were me, i would stick with a good tough roof prism design
Porro's are a simpler design and can be made much better that equivalent cost roofprism. More roof prism are available in a water resistant design than porro's. This last factor favours their use for hunting.
I use porro in Nikon, old Leitz, Pentax and Swarovski Habicht (these last two are sealed and water resistant)... I prefer them for hunting and can keep them under my jacket. I once found a like new pair of Celestron ED porro's (6.5x, 44) at a pawnbroker. The field of view is not as wide as some BUT the colour clarity, contrast and resolution are remarkable. I own some roof prism bino's but always turn to porro when I go hunting.
I use porro in Nikon, old Leitz, Pentax and Swarovski Habicht (these last two are sealed and water resistant)... I prefer them for hunting and can keep them under my jacket. I once found a like new pair of Celestron ED porro's (6.5x, 44) at a pawnbroker. The field of view is not as wide as some BUT the colour clarity, contrast and resolution are remarkable. I own some roof prism bino's but always turn to porro when I go hunting.
Q.What is a porro prism? A.
A porro prism is an older style of prism used in binoculars and other optical instruments. A porro prism is larger and bulkier prism than a roof prism and because of this, the body of a porro prism binocular will also tend to be bulkier. You can always recognize a porro prism binocular by its shape. In a porro prism binocular, the eyepiece and the front lens are always offset and are never in a straight line. Optically, however, a porro prism is very efficient. It is also less expensive to make than a good roof prism. This makes a quality porro prism binocular every bit as good optically as a quality roof prism and at a much lower cost. If you want to get the most optics for your dollar, especially in a binocular under $200, a porro prism is your best choice.
Q.What is a roof prism? A.
A roof prism is a smaller prism shaped like a little house with a roof. The main advantage of a roof prism is its size and shape. It is smaller and more compact than a porro prism and can be installed in a much sleeker housing than a porro prism. This makes a roof prism binocular a nicer binocular to hold and handle for most people. You can always recognize a roof prism by its shape. In a roof prism binocular, the eyepiece and the front lens are always in a straight line or straight tube.
On the down side, a roof prism is much more expensive to make to the same optical standards as a good porro prism. In fact, not all roof prisms are created equal. Optically, the sharpest roof prisms are phase corrected (PC) and the brightest roof prisms will have silver coated mirrors (there are no mirrors in a porro prism to lose light). Alignment of the prisms is also far more critical in a roof prism.
This need for precise alignment in a roof prism has a beneficial side effect. A roof prism is solidly housed in a cage and the focusing mechanism is usually inside the binocular instead of outside as in many porro prism binoculars. This makes a good roof prism binocular more rugged and smoother focusing than the average porro prism binocular.
A porro prism is an older style of prism used in binoculars and other optical instruments. A porro prism is larger and bulkier prism than a roof prism and because of this, the body of a porro prism binocular will also tend to be bulkier. You can always recognize a porro prism binocular by its shape. In a porro prism binocular, the eyepiece and the front lens are always offset and are never in a straight line. Optically, however, a porro prism is very efficient. It is also less expensive to make than a good roof prism. This makes a quality porro prism binocular every bit as good optically as a quality roof prism and at a much lower cost. If you want to get the most optics for your dollar, especially in a binocular under $200, a porro prism is your best choice.
Q.What is a roof prism? A.
A roof prism is a smaller prism shaped like a little house with a roof. The main advantage of a roof prism is its size and shape. It is smaller and more compact than a porro prism and can be installed in a much sleeker housing than a porro prism. This makes a roof prism binocular a nicer binocular to hold and handle for most people. You can always recognize a roof prism by its shape. In a roof prism binocular, the eyepiece and the front lens are always in a straight line or straight tube.
On the down side, a roof prism is much more expensive to make to the same optical standards as a good porro prism. In fact, not all roof prisms are created equal. Optically, the sharpest roof prisms are phase corrected (PC) and the brightest roof prisms will have silver coated mirrors (there are no mirrors in a porro prism to lose light). Alignment of the prisms is also far more critical in a roof prism.
This need for precise alignment in a roof prism has a beneficial side effect. A roof prism is solidly housed in a cage and the focusing mechanism is usually inside the binocular instead of outside as in many porro prism binoculars. This makes a good roof prism binocular more rugged and smoother focusing than the average porro prism binocular.
Nikon are nice but I would look at Vortex. I picked up a cheap pair of 12x50 Vultures to spot deer on the prairies and they are as clear as my Leupold Mark 4. I compared the two at when I sighting my 300 wsm in and was really shocked at the qaulity. I think I picked them up for a bit over $200 from Camerland NY (refurbed) and they have a lifetime transferable warranty 
Nikon are nice but I would look at Vortex. I picked up a cheap pair of 12x50 Vultures to spot deer on the prairies and they are as clear as my Leupold Mark 4. I compared the two at when I sighting my 300 wsm in and was really shocked at the qaulity. I think I picked them up for a bit over $200 from Camerland NY (refurbed) and they have a lifetime transferable warranty
That 12x isn't too hard to hold? I see they have 10x50 Vultures on sale right now for $159 at Cameraland. They also have some nice Minox VL's for $289.00.
Yeah they are hard to hold real steady but I only use them in my truck while Im scouting. I also have an adapter for my tripod and truck window if needed.
I got them at a heck of deal and is the only reason I went with a 12x but its nice while glassing whiteails and pronghorn waay out there.
Those 10x50's would be nice so long as you arent carrying them around great distances.
I would highly reccomend the Vortex and if you do some research on the different hunting forums in the US they are touted as being the "best bang for your buck optic"
I am using a pair of Zeiss 14x40 classics.I find that 10x is the most that I find comfortable using without a tripod.Even 10x is difficult to hold steady without some type of support.With a tripod,15x is great for long distance spotting.
I was always told to stay with the 8x you wont be able to hold the higher powers. Over the years I slowly crept up in power and finally picked up a set of 12x. I go spotting regularly with a few friends and they all had smaller,lower power binos. The thing I heard most was "can I see those for a sec?" They could find things but needed mine to see them better. They all moved up in power to 12x. My uncle stayed with 10x Nikon, he's 75, and with our 2 sets sitting on a table he allways grabs mine,12x, if he wants to look around. Find a good camera store with lots of brands and check them all out. I won't ever go back to the lower power.
I used to have the same experience when most of my hunting partners used cheap Tasco or Bushnell binoculars.My Binoculars were the same magnification,but were much clearer,and much brighter in low light.Now we all are using higher quality 8x or 10x binoculars,so everyone is happy with their own.
But the vast majority of hunters(including some in their 50's) still use lower quality optics,and many try to make up for the lack of clarity and brightness by using more magnification.They don't understand that quality lenses and coatings are more important than magnification.
I post this for the benefit of those people that don't have a lot of experience with optics,and aren't aware of the difference that quality lenses and coatings can make.
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Use roof prisms almost exclusively for hunting - one exception. On the bench or in the truck I pack a set of Carl Zeiss 8X50B Nobilem Supers, a big hefty porro prism. Outstanding clarity - only roofs I've seen come close are Leicas. Amazing optics, the old Nobilems. Don't even know if they're waterproof and don't really worry about it - unless it rains in the truck, doesn't really matter.
