Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best 8x30 - 8x32 for under $1k

the 8x30 SLC's have been great for me. Probably going to grab another pair while on sale for the wife.

I don't know what the "best" is, but I sure love my Swarovski 8x30 SLC's. Been running the for 8 years or so... Fantastic.

I picked up a pair of the Minox 8x33 per Doug's recommendation and love them. I was unable to see any difference between the minox and 8 x 30 slc (Neu), other than price. If anything, the Minox seem a hair brighter.

+1 on the Minox. I bought them for my wife to use and couldn't discern any meaningful difference between them and 8x30 SLC's.

I agree, the little HG's are about $399 and that is a wonderful deal.

I like the 32 size and just picked up a set of Nikon LX-L's, 8x32 for around the house. While these used to retail for $1k (I paid less than $400), they aren't Leica Ultravids but do have a nice view. I personally think Nikon has the best focus wheel (very smooth) and nice eyecups but he handling is just average and they're too heavy for an 8x32. Anyway, at the price I got them for I figured I'd run them for awhile.

Nikon 8x32 Premier LX roofs for $900 are pretty good. However, you can get the Nikon 8x32mm Premier SE porros on sale right now for $600! Hard to beat that view.

It would be hard to beat a pair of Minox HG's for about half a grand....I own both Zeiss FL 8x32 and Minox HG 8x33's and not enough difference to My eye to pay even $50.00 more for the FL's much less $500.00 or more. Someone mentioned the Swaro SLC 8x30's, I have owned a few pair of these also and loved em, they would also make an excellent choice at $899.00 or so...........good luck.......547.

Leaning towards the SLC 8x30's. Spent some time today looking through a pair.

Thanks for all the comments.

I spent a good bit of time yesterday looking through binocs.

Here was what I was comparing:

SLC 8x32
Trinovid 8x32
Ultravid 10x32
Zeiss Conquest 8x30
Zeiss Conquest 10x30
Zeiss Victory FL 8x42
Minox 8x33

My findings were that the Ultrvids pretty well blew everything away. They were sharp, bright and I really liked the feel.

The Trinovids were very good, but I didn't like the egronomics as well.

The SLC's were very good. Still not sure if I like the bottom focus wheel though.

FL's were great for brightness, of course being 42mm they should and the sharpness was right there with the Ultravids. I didn't care for the feel, not sure if it was just because they were bigger being 42mm. Also didn't like the focus wheel as well as the others.

The Minox to my eyes weren't in the same class as the others and didn't like the feel.

The Conquests had the best feel for me with the exception of the Ultravids. Could be the fact that I owned 8x30 and 12x45 Conquests untill this past summer. but I am really impressed by the ergonomics of these for my hands.
The Conquests weere also very close to me in sharpness when compared to the other 30-32 mm binocs, and better than the Minox. They weren't as bright as either Leica or the SLC's.

If it weren't for the $1700 price tag on the Ultravids, they would easilly be my choice.

Right now I am deciding if the ergonomics for me favor the Conquests over the better brightness of the SLC's.

I should add that I also looked at the Swaro EL 8x32's and was very impressed by both the optics and how they felt in my hands, but if I were looking to spend that kind of $$$, I go with the Ultravids.

Please do yourself a favor and check out Doug's killer deals on his Leica certified pre-owned Ultravids. I own the pre HD Ultravid BR 8x42. As you have read, optics are very personal, and we are really nitpicking to pick a winner between any of the alphas, but I have compared them all quite a bit and my eyes prefer the Leica. I have also compared my BRs to the HDs and latest Zeiss, my BRs do have more CA, but I only notice it in extreme situations such as a black light post against a snow white background. The other adavantage of the HDs is the Aquadura coating which repels water, that would be nice to have but for a lot more mone I can do without.

If you prefered the Ultravids over the others, buut can't afford the $1,700.00, I would seriously consider Dougs demo deal. Also if going for the 32mm size I would definitely get the 8x32, I think the 3.2mm EP on the 10x32s is too small for easy viewing or low light viewing.

John

Find a used pair of 8*32 ultravids. Should be had for under 1k.

I hate to belabor this point, but Doug's certified pre-owned 8x32 Ultravid is slightly under a grand, and it includes a ten year warranty. I would expect a used 8x32 BR to be around $750-$800.00 if you can find one.

John

I don't think you're belaboring the point. IMO, that's the best buy in bins around. Most used 8x32 BR's go in the $900 range.

I paid $1450 for my BR's 3+ years ago. Mine have a lifetime Passport Warranty, but still... for under a grand that's a no-brainer to me and I still don't think any other bin in the 8x32 category is quite up to the Ultravids...

Took the new Minox HG 8x33s on a hike this afternoon. Got to see a lot of bucks . The HGs are not QUITE on the same Level as the big 3.I do like the focus wheel placement better than the swaro and the eyecups are great. For someone looking for an excellent quality bino at a great price these are worth a look!!

I've heard some pretty mixed reviews of the HG 8x33. I mean I basically hear that its not at the same level as the 8.5 x 43. I think Mule Deer pointed out that not every design from a great optics manufacturer can be thier best. At any rate, I believe I'd stick with the 8x32 trinovid over the HG 8x33