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I am interested in a good pair of binoculars that will fit in my front shirt pocket. I'm thinking Zeiss but curious as to any others that would compare .
Also would be interested in any experiences with pocket-size binoculars as to do they really even have any value. Thanks
Never seen any with enough merit to carry them...and Ive looked at Zeiss and Swarovski....

And certainly botenough merit to pay for them...
They are all finicky to use, because of the small size.

I have 2 that are worth carrying, the Leica Ultravid
8x20, and the Zeiss Terra 8x25.

The Zeiss is a bargain, made in Japan. Under $300.

I imagine they are finicky.. Not looking to use them for a dedicated hunting binoculars.
Mainly to carry around to get a closer look at something I already see during my daytime work activities.
get the 8x25 terra......
I have had a couple--a Swaro 10x20 and a Leica 8x20. I originally bought them to keep in my pocket while quail hunting because there are always things that I see that merit a closer look. The 8x20 was a little easier to get behind and seemed to be a little brighter, as well. I ended up giving both away because I just didn't carry them enough once I quit bird hunting. If I think I will need a binocular on a stroll or a hike, I borrow my wife's 8x30 Swaros--much easier to use and not that much more weight to carry.
I found using a monocular worked better for a quick look than a pocket binocular.
I've had a pair of Zeiss 8x20's for years. Use them when I want to pare down the weight on long hikes/hunts and also on safari. JMHO but have found it handy to have a light/compact bino of good quality and also a larger pair to use as the situation dictates.
I have used a bunch of pocket binoculars over the years. These are the only ones worth carrying.
http://www.hawkeoptics.com/sapphire-8x25-black-binocular.html

My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it...
FVA,

I went through several trying to get some good ones. I even went to the store and compared side by side stuff up to near a grand. Finally I found some that were comparable to the expensive ones and bought them. These are Alpen Wings ED 8X20 for $132. They are so good I called the company and talked to the president about them. He told me he made them for himself and liked them so much he added them to their line.

The first pair I dropped on our tile floor. Of course they were damaged. When I called to check on the cost of repair the lady told me, "We have a no fault warranty. You return them we send you a new pair." I tried to let her know it was my fault, but she told me it's just the way they do business.

Here is a photo showing how they can fold up. Also you can see one eye cup is twisted out while the other side is still in. There are clicks where the cup sort of comes to a stop before it is all the way out for none glasses wearers. There is an individual adjustment on the right tube to correct for any vision inconsistency.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
The Zeiss I owned and tried, the 8X20 and, especially the 10X25 were a waste of my money. The Leupold Yosemite 6X30 work far, far better. E
I have a set of older Leupold Gold Ring 9x25 I.F. binoculars that work extremely well. I use them when I don't feel like carrying my Minox 9.5x42 I.F.
hmmm. Thanks for everyones thoughts/experience.
Can't say I'm anymore confident on taking the plunge,lol.
Swaro Pocket CL 10X25s. They are the cat's bottom!
Originally Posted by FVA
hmmm. Thanks for everyones thoughts/experience.
Can't say I'm anymore confident on taking the plunge,lol.

You have to figure out how you want to use them. The FOV is going to be less than say a 8x40 set and the low light capability is also going to be less than the larger glass. If you are going to use them on backpack hunts and will be glassing for hours you need to get good glass. OTOH if you are going to use them to verify which animal your guide wants you to shoot or only for casual viewing, the glass quality may not be as critical for you.
Like everything, some compromise may be required and only you can decide where or on what you will compromise.
March 4, 2013 binoculars
This evening I decided to compare some binoculars at sunset. It was the end of a beautiful cloudless day about 60* and I didn’t get out to enjoy it until after dinner. The object on which I compared them is a fork antler 131 yards away in the woods. Four brands of different magnifications included Bushnell Legend Ultra HD ED2 8X42 (roof prism), Vortex Raptor 6.5X32 (porroprism), Nikon Action Extreme ATB 7X35 waterproof/fogproof (porroprism), and Alpen wings ED 8X20 pocket model (roof prism). These last one are in a pouch on my belt. I started about 5:45 PM. At first I was switching back and forth but realized the Nikons and the Bushnells were definitely better than the other two for the lower light, I limited my switching to the Vortex and Alpens.

When I could no longer distinguish the antlers well enough to shoot the deer carrying them I noted the time. A very disturbing observation was that I could not discern the antlers in the woods hand holding them. The sand bag was necessary.

I thought the Alpens might be the first to go because of the small objective, but wondered because it is 8X. I have discovered from comparing scopes when it is too dark to see the antlers I just turn up the magnification setting. It lasted as long as the Vortex till 5:57; despite the Vortex having about 2 1/2X more objective area. The Nikons went to 6:07 and the Bushnell took me to 6:13.
Last fall I was in an Academy Sports and saw a box of these with a "Clearance" sticker on the box. No price and no display model, just a few boxes under the counter.

https://swfa.com/steiner-8x22-predator-binocular.html?___SID=U

I got a sales clerk to scan a box and the price came up $34.99. I told the guy if that price was accurate I'd take every pair he had.

The manager approved that price and I walked out with 5 pairs for less than the retail price of 1 pair. They ain't the best, but do fine in good light. Definitely a step up from what comes in blister packs for about the same money.

I kept 2 pair for my wife and I and the rest were Christmas presents.
I have a pair of Minox 8x20's that I carry in the car (as opposed to the 10x42's I carry in the truck). They really are not too bad. The eyecups extend to use them without glasses and for checking out stuff while driving the backroads from our place to town they work fine. I also use them turkey hunting as they fit into a vest pocket and are out of the way.

Originally Posted by FVA

I imagine they are finicky.. Not looking to use them for a dedicated hunting binoculars.
Mainly to carry around to get a closer look at something I already see during my daytime work activities.
..... The last 8 years that I worked my "semi-retirement" job before I fully retired I used to carry pocket binoculars to look at stuff during my daytime work activity. I was meter reading gas & electric meters and mostly did commercial work. Many times meters were enclosed behind chain link fence or barriers. Used pocket binoculars for those meters that only required me to visually get a single reading without having to reset anything. Now I'm gonna admit that I was usually carrying a pair of el-cheapo 8x 21mm Tasco pocket bino's. They were cheap, they did the job, and if I lost them or broke them I wasn't out much money. So if it's a situation like what mine used to be you could get by with a set of those, Mine would fall apart after 2 or 3 years and I'd get another. Here at home we have some Leupold Yosemites that are great but not for putting in a shirt pocket. Also have a set of Steiner Predator Pro 10x26mm that Cameraland had on sale a few years ago but I find the Yosemites preferable. But at least the Steiners are more "pocketable". In my truck a set of Leupold Rogue 10x25mm binos live in their case in the drivers door pocket.Those are nice but don't qualify for shirt pocket use either. So if top of the line optics aren't mandatory and its on the job I'd look into some of the cheap stuff. My Tasco's did what needed to be done work-wise and they were very cost effective. Still got a pair but don't use 'em. Now that I'm retired I can be more picky about optics.
Leica pocket binoculars have served me well the last two hunting seasons. Both hunts we experienced heavy downpours and they held up perfectly. I do rely heavily on my 8x32 ELs, but I definitely enjoy not having the added weight on long hikes looking for elk and deer.
Originally Posted by JMR40
Last fall I was in an Academy Sports and saw a box of these with a "Clearance" sticker on the box. No price and no display model, just a few boxes under the counter.

https://swfa.com/steiner-8x22-predator-binocular.html?___SID=U

I got a sales clerk to scan a box and the price came up $34.99. I told the guy if that price was accurate I'd take every pair he had.

The manager approved that price and I walked out with 5 pairs for less than the retail price of 1 pair. They ain't the best, but do fine in good light. Definitely a step up from what comes in blister packs for about the same money.

I kept 2 pair for my wife and I and the rest were Christmas presents.


That was almost grand theft grin
FVA, when I was looking for a compact set of binoculars, I compared the Zeiss Conquest, the Leica Trinovid and the Nikon Premier LX.

I ended up buying the Nikon Premier LX 10x25s. They were a little more than the Leica or Zeiss, but, to my eyes, they offered a sharper view and just fit my face better. They're are nice, light and compact. My hunting buddies are really impressed with them too.

I like 'em so much that sometimes, when I won't be doing extended glassing and I'm just tired of lugging full size binos, I'll carry them and don't feel disadvantaged at all.
I have compact Swarovski in 8X and 10X, and Leica Ultravid in 8x20. I think the Leica is better.
Originally Posted by Oldelkhunter
Originally Posted by JMR40
Last fall I was in an Academy Sports and saw a box of these with a "Clearance" sticker on the box. No price and no display model, just a few boxes under the counter.

https://swfa.com/steiner-8x22-predator-binocular.html?___SID=U

I got a sales clerk to scan a box and the price came up $34.99. I told the guy if that price was accurate I'd take every pair he had.

The manager approved that price and I walked out with 5 pairs for less than the retail price of 1 pair. They ain't the best, but do fine in good light. Definitely a step up from what comes in blister packs for about the same money.

I kept 2 pair for my wife and I and the rest were Christmas presents.


That was almost grand theft grin


Those Steiners were worth exactly what was paid.......
Not sure what I am going to do but have plenty to consider Thanks for all the input.
Not tiny, but light and small, the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 offer lots of bang for the buck.
Originally Posted by JMR40
Last fall I was in an Academy Sports and saw a box of these with a "Clearance" sticker on the box. No price and no display model, just a few boxes under the counter.

https://swfa.com/steiner-8x22-predator-binocular.html?___SID=U

I got a sales clerk to scan a box and the price came up $34.99. I told the guy if that price was accurate I'd take every pair he had.

The manager approved that price and I walked out with 5 pairs for less than the retail price of 1 pair. They ain't the best, but do fine in good light. Definitely a step up from what comes in blister packs for about the same money.

I kept 2 pair for my wife and I and the rest were Christmas presents.


I have an older Steiner Predator in 10x26 that is pretty nice. Not exactly pocket size though.
I've used a pile of various 8x20-ish bins, and have owed the Zeiss 8x20 Victory, which is a fine little instrument. However, I currently have a Leica 8x20 Ultravid which is guaranteed to ruin looking through any other compact.
Lol, I do not doubt that Brad. Just a bit more than I want to put out at this time.
Then absolutely go with the Zeiss Victory 8x20 T*. A really fine bin, better than anything else out there including the Leica 8x20 Trinovid. Another good one is the Nikon Premier 8x20 LX.

A good buy on the Zeiss:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/677815-USA/Zeiss_52_20_78_Victory_Compact_8x20_T.html
I got fed up with some cheap, small binos and tried the Vortex 10x36 monocular. It works well for sitting in a treestand and having something handy. Seriously doubt it's the quality of the binos mentioned, but it works for getting a better look at things.
Originally Posted by prm
I got fed up with some cheap, small binos and tried the Vortex 10x36 monocular. It works well for sitting in a treestand and having something handy. Seriously doubt it's the quality of the binos mentioned, but it works for getting a better look at things.


That's the sort of thing that got me started on looking through small binos.
The best ones I've ver used are the Bushnell or B&L Custom compact 7x26 porro prism binoculars. Not waterproof, but very good image quality and easy to use even with glasses. No other compact roof prism binocular that I have tried comes close.
Have some 7x? Gold Ring Leupolds that easily tuck into a shirt pocket. Independently front focused. Very sharp edge to edge and great depth of field (i.e. everything from about 30yds to infinity is in focus). Easily used with a single hand. Most excellent for hunting the timber. For big sky country I go with some 7x50's and spotting scopes.
They might be a tight fit into a shirt pocket but I have been really happy with my Swarovski 8x30 CL. They are smaller and lighter than most all of the other 30/32 glass. I feel they were a big step up from the 20/22/25 glass.
Check out the Meopta 8x20 at Cameraland.

As with others, I prefer my 8X30s but these are very good for the price.

http://cameralandny.com/spec-sheet.html?catalog[name]=Meopta-MeoStar-8x20-ED-Event-%26-MeoPix-iScoping-Adapter-Binoculars-and-Scopes&catalog[product_guids][0]=1208301
My Swarovski SLC 7x30 are the smallest Binoculars I have found that are worth carrying.
Are those Swaro SLC 7x30's the shirt pocket size? Sounds too big, but they do have stunning optics. The Swaro's that will fit a shirt pocket are also jaw dropping. I'd like to get a set someday.
Originally Posted by castnblast
The best ones I've ver used are the Bushnell or B&L Custom compact 7x26 porro prism binoculars. Not waterproof, but very good image quality and easy to use even with glasses. No other compact roof prism binocular that I have tried comes close.


This.
I've had a pair of Pentax UCF-Mini 9x21 compact porro prisms since 1996 that handle my pocket needs. Better performance than you'd think and enough that I simply haven't felt the need for something newer.

FOV 330' (TFOV 6.3*), 3.4" x 4.1", 7.4 oz
[Linked Image]

Accordingly I agree with those who recommend auditioning the current Bushnell / B&L custom compact porro prisms.
Originally Posted by DakotaDeer
Originally Posted by castnblast
The best ones I've ver used are the Bushnell or B&L Custom compact 7x26 porro prism binoculars. Not waterproof, but very good image quality and easy to use even with glasses. No other compact roof prism binocular that I have tried comes close.


This.


For the money, the Bushnell Porro Prism 7x26 is indeed a really nice binocular.

However I'm not sure I'd call it a "pocket" binocular as it falls into a sort of no-man's-land in between a compact and a mid-sized 30/32mm binocular.
I use Nikon 8x20 LX as my daughter snagged my 8x20 Victory. They aren't full size but the view when steady is phenomenal! All my other bins are Leica but I paid $299 for the Zeiss and Nikon....never stumbled upon a Leica for that so I have what I have.....
Originally Posted by Terryk
I have compact Swarovski in 8X and 10X, and Leica Ultravid in 8x20. I think the Leica is better.


and with leather!!!
Originally Posted by FVA
I am interested in a good pair of binoculars that will fit in my front shirt pocket. I'm thinking Zeiss but curious as to any others that would compare .
Also would be interested in any experiences with pocket-size binoculars as to do they really even have any value. Thanks


I may have responded on this thread before. I am not going to read through it to check. I bought several looking for a good one. I ended with Alpen Wings ED 8X20. They are so good I called the company and talked with the president there. He said, "I designed them for myself. That's why they are so good."

I accidentally dropped them on a concrete floor. I called the company to find out if they would repair them and how much they would charge. They have the exact no fault warranty of several companies now. I returned them and they sent me a brand new binocular despite me wanting to pay.
The compacts are nice to carry. Which is good, because they aren't much good for looking through.......There is a world of difference from 20mm compacts to 30mm semi-compact binos.
Leica Ultravid 8x20 is what I have and they work very well.
I have used Zeiss and Leicas and they just were not that useful. They are good for bow hunting or birding mostly if it means you will have binos handy instead of none. The best use is for sports events and concerts. I switched to Leupold Yosemities and although not pocket binoculars they are hardly noticed especially with a nice strap like the Vero Villini. I would recommend something in the 6-8x30 range instead. An objective smaller than 25mm just does no.t work that well for me. As someone said a high end monocular is worth a look these can have a 25-30 mm objective and still be pocket size. Due to less lenses the higher end ones are not that expensive.
It depends what you want to look at with them. I bought my Swarovski 10x25 B pocket binos when I though every ounce counted when I was walking up a mountain looking for an elk. The FOV is narrow, but the clarity and smaller size is outstanding. Getting the hand eye coordination to use the mini binos takes a bit, but I'm up at the lake right now and those Swarovski's are three feet away from me on the windowsill and my larger Leica 8x32's are home in the drawer. The lifetime warranty on those Swarovski binos is outstanding. I used it once when I wrecked this pair.
Originally Posted by centershot
The compacts are nice to carry. Which is good, because they aren't much good for looking through.......There is a world of difference from 20mm compacts to 30mm semi-compact binos.


It appears you lack experience with a nice pocket bino.
Even some sheep guides are going for the Swaro CL Pocket 8X25s and 10X25s. Optically they are right with the Ultravids and they have a very durable housing. 17 mm of eye relief. People who have not tried them might be in for a surprise if you compare them to many 2nd tier full size binoculars. Everybody seems to go on and on about the Cabelas or the Minox or the Pentax full size binoculars- Those little guys can put them to shame with a dollar test. They have less light gathering than full size optics but they are very good. This year, Swaro looked at what they were delivering in the CLs and changed their name to mountain compacts and increased their price by $300.00.
kaboku68 mentioned "less light gathering than full sized optics". I figured I would post some results of some of my binoculars on low light.

They are Alpen wings ED 8X20 pocket model (roof prism), Vortex Raptor 6.5X32 (porroprism), Bushnell Legend Ultra HD ED2 8X42 (roof prism), and Bushnell Legend Ultra HD ED2 8X42 (roof prism). The 8X20 and the 6.5X32 went down at the same time. I placed them on sand bags and pointed them at the very small deer antlers 131 yards from the porch. I discovered higher magnification allows one to see things longer lower magnification as light dissipates no matter how large the objective lens. The 7X35 lasted ten minutes longer and the 8X42 lasted an additional six minutes.
My Hill People Gear Kit Bag makes my Leica or Swarovski 10x42's pocket 'nocs.
I carried and still carry a Leica 10X25 Trinovid. As a spotting scope was always handy they performed perfectly, my go to bino's on the trapline as well. Always carried id a shirt pocket.
Originally Posted by kaboku68
Even some sheep guides are going for the Swaro CL Pocket 8X25s and 10X25s. Optically they are right with the Ultravids and they have a very durable housing. 17 mm of eye relief. People who have not tried them might be in for a surprise if you compare them to many 2nd tier full size binoculars. Everybody seems to go on and on about the Cabelas or the Minox or the Pentax full size binoculars- Those little guys can put them to shame with a dollar test. They have less light gathering than full size optics but they are very good. This year, Swaro looked at what they were delivering in the CLs and changed their name to mountain compacts and increased their price by $300.00.


I really like my 8x25 CL, but they are not really pocket size. I don't mind the size/performance trade off.

I compared my 8x25 CL to a coworker's 8x25 Terra (made in Japan) and an older 8x30 SLC (not the 'neu') owned by a buddy. Below are my notes, if anyone is interested.

Quote
I was able to try the 8x25 CL by Swarovski and the 8x25 Terra by Zeiss today.

They are basically the same physical size with the same FOV and similar weight. The Terra has a plastic body but feels good to hold for such a small bino, with grippy exterior. The eye cups lock in the outer position. The CL exterior is harder and slicker and the eye cups don't lock in any position (but stay where you put them and won't collapse). They do come off without much trouble (threaded alloy), which is really nice. Overall, for feel, I think the Terra is my favorite.

The image in the CL is clear nearly to the edge. In the Terra it drops off but very gradually and you really have to try hard to find it. In normal use, it would never be noticed. Color fringing is the same with both... just a freckle and you really need to look for it. Depth of field seems the same.

Now compared to the 8x30 SLC...

The SLC is definitely easier to use. Bigger eye cups, bigger FOV. More stable, due to mass, but still jitttery. Not that much more stable as I would have guessed though. I thought the biggest advantage was the cups, which do sit against the brow better.

I think the CL has the best resolution, followed very, very closely by the SLC, then the Terra. This is tricky to test though, as the SLC appears to have slightly more magnification than the other two. The image is bigger. Perhaps due to the larger oculars? I don't know the physics behind it. At any rate, there was little if anything that could be seen by one bino that couldn't be seen by another.

Still, very fine detail could be seen with the CL that couldn't with the SLC and Terra but it is really, really hard to find a difference. In one case, the CL and SLC showed twigs in front of an orange cone that was hard to see with the Terra at several hundred yeards. I 'think' the better resolution of the CL showed them, while the bigger image of the SLC also showed them. So, they both got to the same place, but in different ways. The Terra didn't quite get there. But this is really, really nitpicking to the nth degree. At closer ranges, looking for detail, the CL is just every so slightly sharper than the SLC. Again, very hard to detect.

In terms of brightness or light transmission, they seem the same in good or normal overcast ambient light. In the Ops with low light, the SLC was obviously brighter than the other two. If I had to guess, the CL had 95% of the light transmission of the SLC. The Terra would be 92%. In other words, the jump from the CL to the SLC was bigger than the Terra to the CL. New lenses and coatings don't make up for the extry 5mm objective.

Overall, during 'typical use' I had to really work hard to find a difference between the three other than the FOV. I think most people would call it a wash in terms of image. The main difference would be ease of use vs. compactness. Based on cost, the Terra seems like the winner unless that last little bit of resolution or brightness are needed.

My experience with those same Steiners would certainly let me pay $35 if I found them for that price- but they would likely be a gift to someone who might use them at a concert or youth sports event - not much of a hunting binocular and very finicky.
I was disappointed in this thread I was hoping for here was a great affordable set that was worth owning and using but it sounds like the Yosemite is as cheap and small the forum feels good about, I bought 2 this year.
I understand the desire for small glass. Forty years ago, the Bushnell Custom Compact was the cats meow for shirt pocket glass. They were not cheap by mid 70s standards. My bride gave me one for Christmas, 7x25 I think. They are not weather resistant. None the less, they still hang around for times when my 8x30 SLC is a bit too much. I'm pretty sure they are in my bird shooting bag as I write. Today the small poros are likely the best of the small glass at a more popular price.

Jack
I carry swaro 8x20 compacts with my 10 x binoculars and spotting scope for my sheep hunting. The compacts fit in my shiirt pocket
If a guy truly wants a pocket binocular they are certainly available. No need to compromise and get a larger optic to satisfy this or any other group.
It doesn't matter what size the glass is, it is still the quality that counts. If your budget is <$300 you probably won't get much as far as any binoculars go in any size. If you spend the money on the higher end compact binoculars you will probably find them quite useful.
Originally Posted by Blacktailer
It doesn't matter what size the glass is, it is still the quality that counts. If your budget is <$300 you probably won't get much as far as any binoculars go in any size. If you spend the money on the higher end compact binoculars you will probably find them quite useful.


When compared side by side the very high dollar binocs were no better than my Alpen Wings 8X20. I have no idea what they cost now, but mine were less than $150.
Originally Posted by Ringman
Originally Posted by centershot
The compacts are nice to carry. Which is good, because they aren't much good for looking through.......There is a world of difference from 20mm compacts to 30mm semi-compact binos.


It appears you lack experience with a nice pocket bino.


Best I ever owned was a Zeiss Victory 8X20. I really wanted to like that bino. It was really nice if you had good light and got them aligned perfectly but the sweet spot on those little buggers was just too small. I now have Nikon Monarch 7 8x30's - still pretty small and compact but much easier to use and the view is excellent - oh and they are 1/2 the price of the Zeiss.
I bought a pair of Nikon Premier LX L 10x25 12 years ago ( long before I started doing any freelance work for Nikon) I believe and haven't regretted the purchase once. My Premier's have been all over the world and in all types of adverse conditions. Because of their size they are my go to vacation/hiking bino's. Great glass, compact and weigh just over half a pound.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/bman940/Vacation/nikonpremier-2.jpg
Ringman: Alpen Wings 8x20 are discontinued, Replaced by 8x25. Do you know how the newer 8x25 compare to the old 8x20? Thanks.
Originally Posted by bobmn
Ringman: Alpen Wings 8x20 are discontinued, Replaced by 8x25. Do you know how the newer 8x25 compare to the old 8x20? Thanks.


Bummer. I never heard of them. Since my wife doesn't want me to carry them on my belt anymore I will sell them if you are interested.
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