Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Which 8x32s (or 8x30s) Binos

Here's the criteria in no particular order:

Cost: Under $400 MSRP
Weight: Under 20 oz
Quality: bang for buck and quality build
Warranty: reputable company that stands behind their product (and yes, I'm still leaving Nikon in the running, although I've not had to deal with Nikon Warranty Dept, my brother has twice dropped his 8x25s out of his stand and for their nominal $10 charge, had them fixed once and replaced once)

Unfortunately, I'd love to personally line up about 10-15 pair of 8x compacts/mid size to look through but I don't have access or time for all that, so I'm looking for opinions from those with personal experience glass that meets the above criteria. The glass in the running thus far for me based on research and word of mouth:

1. Leupold Mojave BX-3 8x32
2. Nikon Monarch 7 8x30
3. Vortex DB 8x32 (a little heavier than the two above)

Please keep the comments/suggestions based on NEW purchase. I'm not in the market for a used pair Swaro 8x30s. I can't afford them. My top dollar is $400 and I'll be buying new via retail or mail order (or Cameraland).

Thanks for playing.
Rob

The problem is most brands offer 8x42 size for this price point.

I have a Meopta Meopro 6.5x32 that I really like, they can be had for less than $400 on some after Christmas sales. I like them better than my older Vortex 8x42, and I tried Monarch and returned them.

Good luck in your search.

If you're looking for bang-for-the-buck, I might toss the 8x32 Theron Wapiti LT in the mix. Of course, they'll require you to keep around $250 of your budget in your pocket.


http://theronoptics.com/WAPITI_LT_BINOCULARS.html

Look at kowa 's offerings too. In your list I would go leupold but honestly I haven't looked through any of those. Also consider leupolds 6X30. These are good and I have a pair of these.

I'm leaning toward the Leupold's right now. If I was wanting to keep a pile of that budget, I've read some good stuff about the Redfields. But my Dad has some Leupolds (don't recall the model and he loves them, my brother too). Personally, I have a looked through a chit-ton of Nikons from the older Monarch ATB 8x25s I still own to new Monarch 7s (8x42s) and I like them a lot. But I've not owned any Leupold binos. The size is good, the weight is good, the warranty is excellent...hard to beat them right now.

Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32

Plus One

Outdoor Life and Mule Deer rave about the Kruger Back Country 8x32. Editor's Best value a couple of years ago.

Check Cameraland's website to see if they still have any of the Japanese-made Minox HG 8x33. I've had a pair for several years and they are very good. The German-made version has more depth of field, but costs about twice as much.

I've read that too.

Optics Planet has them on sale for $146

I have a pair of those.. great build quality. I am impressed.. I have run them for two years and beat the chit out of them. still work perfect and the glass is very nice....I believe I paid 159 for them. I also picked up a pair of Bushnell Elites at the same time.. They cost three times as much and where falling apart, they are back at Bushnell as we speak.

I did some shopping earlier last year and never bought but like the Eagle Optics Ranger ED 8x32 for around $329 or the Zen ED2 7x36 @ $375 direct from Zen Ray. I also like the Vortex Viper non-HD.

A touch over your price point but nice glass, Vortex Viper 6x32 $440.90 on Amazon. (Vortex Viper HD 6x32 $550.)

Give a hard look to the Pentax DCF XP. I have a older pair of Pentax DCF WP in 8X32 and love them. The DCF XP seems similar, have great reviews and can be found on sale for $225 (down from $399.) They may be discontinued, a number of on-line vendors seem to have them on sale and are out of stock. Here's a sight that appears to have some.

http://domsoutdoor.com/pentax-dcf-xp-8x33-binoculars/p/1-069897/

Thanks for the idea. Had forgotten about Pentax. A buddy I hunt with has a pair of 8x42s (I think) that he likes (I think the glass is good but heavy). Looking at the specs on those 8x33s, they come in about right in both size and weight. I know there are easier ways to lose a few ounces, but the glass I've been carrying is over 26oz, so a drop to 17-18oz and half pound less is something I'm looking for and these fall right in line with that idea.

After more reading last night, my #1 choice is still the Leupold BX3s, but I'll have to see if I can locate some Pentax in the area to have a look at/through.

Thanks.

My Pentax 8x32 DCF SP spent 21 days in Africa with me this past summer. The Leica and Zeiss binos stayed home.

That's a good plug for the Pentax. Thanks for the input.

Another vote for Pentax 8x32 DCF SP;my go to glass for bow hunting, turkey hunting and scouting. Use their 10x50 DCF SP also. Great glass, great value.

My birding bino's. I have been extremely pleased with these for full retail. At the current sale price they are an outstanding value. Ergio's, fit, finish, FOV, edge, color, brightness... Stellar balance of each for $150 (or $300).

Techno,

If you can bump your price another $50 check out the Zeiss Conquest 8x30 demos through cameraland. If you want to look through a pair, PM me and I can arrange a meeting when I'm down in the area - my parents live in Bow so I'm down that way regularly.