|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
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=UI 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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,069
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 8,069 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,458
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,458 |
I have compact Swarovski in 8X and 10X, and Leica Ultravid in 8x20. I think the Leica is better.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,877
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,877 |
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=UI 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 Those Steiners were worth exactly what was paid.......
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,445
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,445 |
Not sure what I am going to do but have plenty to consider Thanks for all the input.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
Not tiny, but light and small, the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 offer lots of bang for the buck.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 448
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 448 |
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=UI 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.
The expert at anything was once a beginner.
JC
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 |
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.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,445
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,445 |
Lol, I do not doubt that Brad. Just a bit more than I want to put out at this time.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,291 Likes: 2 |
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
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,892 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,892 Likes: 2 |
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.
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation." Everyday Hunter
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,325 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,942 Likes: 10
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,942 Likes: 10 |
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.
Last edited by 1minute; 04/26/17.
1Minute
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,457
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,457 |
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.
Semper Fi
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 317
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 317 |
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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,662
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,662 |
My Swarovski SLC 7x30 are the smallest Binoculars I have found that are worth carrying.
Ted
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,516 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,516 Likes: 1 |
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.
Last edited by 22250rem; 04/28/17.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 780
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 780 |
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 Accordingly I agree with those who recommend auditioning the current Bushnell / B&L custom compact porro prisms.
|
|
|
|
82 members (AdventureBound, 406_SBC, 907brass, 300_savage, akpls, 10 invisible),
1,345
guests, and
779
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,449
Posts18,507,932
Members74,002
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|