#2291265 - 07/04/08 01:15 AM
$100-$150 Compact Binoculars
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SoTexasH
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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8 x 25 or 10 x 25 In this size is there a benefit of 8 power vs. 10 power or visa versa? What is a decent glass in this price range ? Any experience with Olympus Magellan, Minox BRW or ? I know on a thread a bit ago some people were saying Zeiss, Leica, Nikon Premier LX but all of those are in the $300-$500 range. What about the $100-$150 range for this size binocular. Thanks
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#2291575 - 07/04/08 07:22 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SoTexasH]
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Ringman
Campfire Guide
Registered: 11/03/03
Posts: 3122
Loc: Grants Pass, OR (541) 479-4646
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SoTexasH,
So often I post about good value. Before I purchased my Nikon 7-15X, I compared several brands side by side outside the store.
I started at the top end with the thousand dollar plus glass. Each time I kept the one I prefered to compare with the next one. When I got to the one I have, I could not beleive how clear the view is. The 7X is wide and fast.
If I think I see something intesresting, I get a good rest and turn up the power. Sometimes ten or twelve is all I need. But when I am rock chuck hunting I often use the full 15X.
They sell for $149 at Photo Den in Grants Pass, Oregon. Maybe you can beat that price.
_________________________
If we walk in the Light as He is in the Light we have fellowship.
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#2291623 - 07/04/08 07:43 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Ringman]
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valad
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Registered: 11/15/02
Posts: 827
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SoTx,
Check the binos offered by our sponsor, specificallyt the Minox IF. I got the 6.5x and like them very much. People differ in opinion but I think Doug let you try them out and if not happy you can sedn them back. I think these are the demo and either $179 or $159 and a good value. I have the 9.5 and 6.5 and like them both but think the 6.5 is a particularly good value. Also Doug has some other demo and in my opinion, ge tthe demos at a good price...after all if and when you buy a new one and leave the store, it becomes used just like anything else. Might as well get demos with a used price that has warranty. You can see numerous demos doug has listed, and I think I saw some Monarch binos too?
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#2291658 - 07/04/08 08:11 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: valad]
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lucznik
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Registered: 05/10/06
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In the size and price range you are asking about I am quite enamored with the Pentax DCF MC II. The 8x25 will be better both in terms of brightness and ability to control shake.
Obviously the Nikon, Zeiss, Leica, etc. offerings will be better but, these little Pentax offerings are quite stunning. I carry one with me pretty much 24/7.
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#2291913 - 07/04/08 10:01 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: lucznik]
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SoTexasH
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Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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I have a pair of 8 x 42 and a pair of 10 x 33 Binos that I have got from Doug.. I have some little Pentax 10 x 24 UCF's.. They are nice optically but to me the eyepieces are so small, so looking at other options for a pocket bino.
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#2291958 - 07/04/08 10:22 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SoTexasH]
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Eremicus
Campfire Outfitter
Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 9885
Loc: Placerville,CA,USA
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The 8X20 class are far easier to pick up fine detail than the 10X25 class of bins from what I've seen. No way would I ever have another 10X25. Wouldn't consider anything less than a 31 oz., 40-43mm size in a 10X for that reason.
Like all binocular choices, try them out yourself. If you really want to see the differences, take them outside and stack them, one on top of the other using a solid rest. After a while of going quickly between them, and looking for details a few hundred yds. out, the differences will become apparent.
After stacking them, I like to try them from field positions at the distances I will use them. At the longer ranges, especially, some fall flat on their faces as far as allowing you to see much.
Frankly, my current favorites, of the small and light binoculars are the 6X30 Leupold Yosemite, the 6.5X32 IF Minox and the Nikon 8X32 LX.
The Leupold is the lightest at 19 ozs. The Minox, at 25 ozs., works better for my style of close cover hunting than either the Yosemite or the LX. The LX, at 25.5 ozs., is as close to a perfect, do any thing at any range light binocular I've played with. E
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#2293174 - 07/05/08 06:45 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Eremicus]
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FrankD
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Registered: 12/11/06
Posts: 442
Loc: Lehigh Valley, PA
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I just ordered a set of Bushnell Legend 8x26 reverse porros. They are far from "compact" in the true sense of the word but they are fairly inexpensive and I was impressed by the build quality of the 10x26s (same as the 8x26s) on the few occasions that I handled them. They should be here in the next week.
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Frank
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#2293510 - 07/05/08 10:52 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SoTexasH]
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SteveC99
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Registered: 07/29/07
Posts: 260
Loc: Yakima Valley, Washington
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You don't really say whether compact to you means pocket size or maybe if something a tad larger that will fit an oversize shirt or jacket/vest pocket will work for you. I have a Baush & Lomb 7x26 Custom Compact. That has now morphed into the Bushnell Custom Elite 7x26. The optics here are outstanding. However while they will fit into the pocket of an oversize shirt, say something along the lines of a fishing or a safari shirt, they will not likely fit into a regular shirt pocket. So it is compact, but not shirt pocket compact. The revese porro humps up in the middle when you pocket it so it feels bigger in the pocket than it does when you're using it.
I use mine when I'm irrigating. I use them to look at magnified spray patterns and to double check sprinkler alingment before I turn the line on. It also saves time to double check whether a sprinkler head may be plugged or whether the light was just not right so see it properly without some magnification. I also do irrigation system performance evaluations in my job, so I additionally have some other stuff with me, like a GPS and a Digital Camera. I'm looking at going shirt pocket size for my next binocular.
I'm interested by the Pentax DCF SW 8x25. This is phase coated, has lots of eye relief, and only costs around $150. The Minox BD 8x25 BR might be worth a look as well. The stuff I've read about it does not indicate whether or not it is phase coated. For what its worth Steiner ofers a couple of pocket size phase coated options too, the Predator Pro 8x22 and the 8.5x26 WIldlife Pro. The WIldlife Pro is about a hundred bucks over you listed price, and both of the Steiners have pretty short eye relief which will be of concern if you wear glasses.
Staw away from the myriad cheap non phase corrected roof glass in this category. Been there done that. It's a combination of both wet and dusty when I'm using them, so they don't last and the optics suck.
IMHO, the reverse porros will usually give the best image, particularly the 7x26. That I also use hunting. On a harness I do not know it's there and it is my "out the limit of my rifle range" glass. A bigger one for extended glassing goes into the daypack.
The Pentax DCF LV 9x28 looks interesting as does the Minox BV 8x24 BRW (again I don't know if this is phase coated). The Vortex Fury 8x28 is a good glass as is the Leupold Olympic 8x25.
I'd also avoid, like the plague, 10x glasses of less than 30mm or so objectives. Exit pupil sizes of less than about 3.0mm or so make the placement of the binocular in relation to your eye a real problem. They are really too small for most to hold steady or comfortably for more than a few seconds so image shake can get out of control real quick. That however, is a really personal decision. Works for me, maybe not somebody else.
Edited by SteveC99 (07/05/08 11:11 AM)
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Steve
Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can where you are with what you have"
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#2293602 - 07/05/08 12:18 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SteveC99]
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SoTexasH
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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Website says they are phase coated..
Features of Minox BV 8x25 BRW Compact Waterproof Binocular – 62171
• Extended Eye relief
• Extendible rubber eyecups
• Roof prism design
• Multicoated
• Phase Corrected
• Watertight, Fogproof
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#2293662 - 07/05/08 01:13 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: FOsteology]
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Oregon45
Campfire Ranger
Registered: 08/19/06
Posts: 2251
Loc: Salem, OR
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Leupold 6x30, with what you shave off your $150 budget you can put toward a spotting scope. One thing I've found true in both photography and hunting is that the more magnification, the more I need a tripod. I carry the 6x's now as I can hold them reasonably steady, and I am saving for a good spotting scope and tripod; for sitting and glassing all day that'd be the way to go.
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#2293792 - 07/05/08 03:06 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Oregon45]
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SoTexasH
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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If those Vortex Hurricanes are anything like the 8 x 42 Diamondbacks I got from Doug.. Good bang for the buck for sure.
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#2293809 - 07/05/08 03:14 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: FrankD]
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Dancing Bear
Campfire Regular
Registered: 11/26/05
Posts: 713
Loc: Portland, Ore
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The 8x26 Legends are a fine bino for condition in Oregon. The lens coatings are a huge plus.
There was a set on the free classifieds ANIB for $75.00 and they may still be there.
The 10x26's are too dark.
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#2295082 - 07/06/08 01:45 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Dancing Bear]
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SoTexasH
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Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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I have been "researching" the recomendations that have come up here and found there are really 2 different catagories.. The small compact say 10-11 oz and the regular compact of around 14-15 oz. With each having their pluses and minuses. Kind of like what pistol to carry for concealed carry. Really small you might carry it more, but something mid sized would be much more usefull in a crisis situation. Might need one of each..lol
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#2296388 - 07/07/08 10:00 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SoTexasH]
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Eremicus
Campfire Outfitter
Registered: 03/01/01
Posts: 9885
Loc: Placerville,CA,USA
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Very similar to what I have done. I bought a Leupold 6X30 Yosemite, and, later, a 6.5X32 Minox IF. The little Leupold is really light about 19 ozs. w/ strap, while the Minox goes 25 ozs. Both are about as light as anything I want, or can use, in that magnification range. E
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#2296430 - 07/07/08 10:23 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Eremicus]
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SoTexasH
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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For myself, I like them light..within reason.. But also bulkiness is an issue too. I had been using Bushnell 7-15 x 25 zooms, but optically kept them down at 7-8x because they weren't that clear otherwise. Also had some Leupold 10 x 23 Wind Rivers that were OK Optically but bulky thick but not that heavy..I think around 13 1/2 oz's. In a hunting blind size isn't bad, but when walking around.. spot and stalk type hunting I like something I can carry without getting in the way.
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#2296626 - 07/07/08 12:03 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: SoTexasH]
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Daveh
Campfire Tracker
Registered: 04/01/03
Posts: 5322
Loc: SE WASH STATE
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For me the best bang in the semi-compact are the Bushnell Excursion 8x28. Wide FOV and sharp sweet spot. To me they are superior to the Vortex Fury's in same size and power.
I think you'd be surprised by the optics!!
Dave
_________________________
But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
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#2296641 - 07/07/08 12:13 PM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: Daveh]
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SoTexasH
Campfire Regular
Registered: 04/06/08
Posts: 302
Loc: Lower RGV, Texas
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I had got a pair of Busnell Excursion 10 x 32's. (which I have already sold). Your right.. great optics but I thought a bit heavy at 20 1/2 OZ. maybe I was spoiled with the Pentax 10 x 33 EX's I had just got from Doug.. The weighed in about 3 oz's less and the optics are great. Bushnell sure has come up in the world of optics.
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#2300336 - 07/09/08 09:05 AM
Re: $100-$150 Compact Binoculars
[Re: FOsteology]
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dwc5050
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Registered: 01/10/07
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I was looking for the same thing a year ago, and landed on the 8x28 Vortex Furys. They are I believe, 11 ounces in weight. The optical quality is better than I expected by a long shot. The only down side I've seen is the relatively short eye relief (in my humble opinion). If I had it to do over again, I would still purchase them for what that's worth. You don't hear much about these bino's for some reason, but I think they're worth taking a look at. With a little looking, I believe they can be had for around $200. Not bad for Vortex's "premium" compact binocular.
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