Can anyone recomend an inexpensive - less than $150.00 pair of 8 X 20 or thereabouts binoculars. I already have Swaro 8 X 30 and Zeiss 10 X 40 for hunting. Just need these for the ease of use.
Thanks
1619
Vortex vanquish 8x26. Nice little binos.
VAnimrod,
I was looking at the Steiner 8 X 22 Predator but hoping for other suggestions. Will use at sporting events, concerts etc.
1619
Since you've already got some good binoculars, I'll second the recommendation for a pair of reverse porros. Small inexpensive roofs are going to be a bit of a disappointment. The best are the Bushnell E2 Custom Compact (current version). The lowest I've seen them for is $167 though, and normal web price is $250. Leupold, Vortex and Zen Ray all sell a rev. porro (the Vortex Vanquish is listed above, and it was recently improved w/BaK4 prisms), but I haven't seen them in person. If weight is an issue, you might want to try the Pentax UCF WP - it's very sharp and light to carry. In fact it's noticeably sharper than my phase-coated 8x28 Vortex Hurricanes (same as the current Diamondbacks of that size, according to Vortex). FOV is a bit narrower and ER not quite as good, though. You will probably want to try them in person.
Like others have stated above, small roofs will be a disappointment. Even the good ones are hard to use. I had a pair of the Zeiss Victorys that only lasted 3 months before I moved them on. They were super clear, but the small exit pupil made them very hard to use. I got to the point I would use the Leupold Yosemites and leave the Zeiss at home. The best - semi compacts I have seen are the Bushnell Elite 7X35's.
If they don't need to be waterproof, the Nikon Travelite 8X25 for about $70 is hard to beat. If you need waterproof, the Travelite EX (Prostaff ATB) are about $110. Nikon binoculars have a 25 year warranty. Read reviews on Cabelas for feedback.
I always recommend that you try any new binocular out for a few days before you commit to them. Both Doug (Cameraland) and Cabela's will let you do that.
With that size and weight, you can easily have real issues with both lack of image quality and image shake.
I've owned and used the Zeiss 8X20 and the their 10X25. Image wise, they left really nothing to be desired. But the image shake problems, particularly with the 10X25, were simply too much for me to put up with. Literally tried for years, and finally moved on.
These days the smallest and lightest binocular I use is the 6X30, Leupold Yosemite. A far more useful binocular than I ever thought they be. E
I have never been able to find a small binocular that I liked at all. I have tried at least 10 different ones.. Bushnell, 2 different Leupolds, Vortex, Minox, Tasco WC, Pro master, Simmons..etc.. I have gotten to the point that I would rather carry the 32 mm Binos because they are more useful. If I had to have a smaller pair for sporting events I would just get some cheap pair.. Its not like you have to do antler identification at 200 yards.