I’m looking for a set of small binoculars in the 8x32 size range. Never warmed up to compacts although it’s been a minute since I’ve looked at any. Had a set of Zeiss I sold and miss.
These will be primarily used for turkey hunting in big country in the spring.
Any quality suggestions in the $400 to $800 range?

Meopta Meostar

I sure like my old Trinovid 8x32's...

If you ever find a pair of 6x Leupold Yosemite, grab them

How about a minty set of Bushnell custom compacts?

Kids going on Alaska cruise.

Looking at maybe the Steiner Predator 8X

You know, loan em those and then deer/ turkey hunt w after.

😉

I was going to suggest Zeiss Victory FL 8x32, then I had a look at what they are asking on ebay...screw that!

Mine are going to do me for a lifetime.


Meopta or Doctor.

In the high end of your price range, I'd be calling Doug RE a demo Kowa Genesis 8x33mm Prominar XD.

And on the low end, Kowa BD II 8x32mm.

I don't think you will find anything as good as the old Zeiss for the money. I've had my pair for about 40 years now, and never found any others I like as well. There is a pair on ebay in that range. I have included a link.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-West-Germany-N-MINT-Zeiss-Dialyt-8x30B-Binoculars-w-Case/224421103869?hash=item34408a48fd:g:TZAAAOSws3Bgc2Ts


Good Luck

Again...call Doug 8x33 Kowa Genesis

Another vote for the Kowa Gennys. Might be a little stretch on your budget, but you'll forget about that by next year.

Minox BL 8x32 BR.

This +++. There are three pair right now on e-Bay in the $150 range. You will not regret buying them. Dont get the cheaper Ensigns, that look the same but are junk.

Yes...

Those are the Zeiss I had. They were sweet.

I’ve got a pair of these in 8x42. They are meh....and Chinese. They are now a loaner pair.
Been looking at the genesis out of curiosity.

Kowa Genesis 8x33 are fantastic

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cabelas-In...nt-Cond/133725343728?hash=item1f22a6cff0


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Meopta-Meo...nstinct/303962888279?hash=item46c5999857

Are they Japanese?

I'd suspect my Yosemite and Katmai 6x would do well for that application.......perhaps an 8x has an advantage if you are spotting at far distances.

FWIW, I ran some Pentax 8x32 and they did a good job. Good hunting.

Yep..........

Big Meopta fan here. Not even GregW and Jud can tear them up.

Me Too JG. Meopta is making some great products and have excellent customer service!

I forget about Meopta. May be time to try a pair.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

As a long standing supporting vendor here on the forum it would be our pleasure to discuss this with you and help figure out which would suit your intended use the best. If you've got a few minutes give us a call, 516-217-1000
Thanks

GIve Doug a call and hash it out with him. He knows his glass and has some of the best prices and customer service around... and he'll give you and honest straight forward answer to your questions.

My advice would be to get the best glass in your budget, even if you have to stretch your budget a little bit.... The Meoptas sound like a great value for the money. Never heard a bad word about them ....

The answer to any optics question is always to buy the most expensive that is out there.

I just got off the phone with Doug (CameraLand). After reading through this thread, I decided I needed a pair of 8X33 Gennys to go with my 10.5X44s. I ordered new unopened stock, but he has an open box of 8X33s there right now for $809.

I’m very familiar with Doug. He’s taken $1000’s of my dollars.
Once I decide what I need, he will be on the short list.

Uncle Johnny, still sweet on those little 8x32’s... dandy little glasses, highly recommend 👍

I’m also a big fan of the 8x32 Meopta Meostar.
Just an all-around fantastic optic! Wide field of view, fantastic glass, and built like a tank.

Leftybolt

This guy has been trying to sell these for a couple months. I have a set, they are excellent. I also have SLC 10x42's, the 8x30's get used 90% of the time for me. I think you could get them for $800 or close.

https://www.archerytalk.com/threads/swarovski-cl-companion-8x30.5995881/#post-1113627361

Doug,
Seems to be a lot of votes for Genesis, is their resolution as good as Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD?
Thanks in advance

Better...The conquest is over priced imho

Not to say anything bad about the Conquest HD, however, the Genesis is clearly a superior optic

Doug


How does the Kowa stack up against the Meostar?

Keeping an eye on this thread.
Looks like the Kowa deserves a look...although I have had about $10K in unexpected expenses in the last two weeks, this purchase is now on the back burner.

If Swarovski ever made an 8x33 SLC it would be the Kowa Genesis 8x33

You'll be thrilled with the Kowa

So how does the Kowa Genesis compare to a Leica Trinovid 8x42 HD?

I bought a Kowa Genesis 8x32 from Doug last year and they are fantastic

I gave up SLCs for the Meostar

I bought a pair of Leupold wind river optic about 20 years ago and have been using them all this time. A good friend just purchased a pair of Zeiss Terra ED for half the $ and they're really good I think he said he paid 330.00.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

I've bought an 8x33 Kowa Genesis from a great deal Doug often makes with campfire members. First, let me say my vision is only 20/25 and I'm aware everyone's eyes can prefer different binos, but mine have been preferring the Zeiss Conquest HD over a pair of Cabelas Euro Instinct (made by Meopta), and even over viewing through some of my friend's alpha binos.

Been playing around with them focusing on some distant pine trees etc. I'm finding compared to the Conquest HD, the view through Genesis is bright and the focus remains sharp through a deeper focal depth, which makes it seem more 3D. They are fun to look through, but I can't really detect more resolution than the Conquest HD (which my eyes really like), other than that the Genesis is preferable in all other ways. It will be with me during hunting season!