I am thinking of getting a pair as my usual binoculars are sometimes getting left behind. I bird and hunt in the Northeast. Thank you for reading.

The Leupold Yosemite gets good reviews. Not sure how compact you want. I have enjoyed my Theron 8x32's. I had the Zeiss 8x20's in the past, but didn't care for the small size or the low light capabilities.

I would call the Yosemites a pretty big step above compact but worth a look if one isn't too picky.

Yosemites are great for what you want.

GreggH

I've owned the 10X25 Zeiss and got to use the ex-wife's 8X20 Zeiss. I also own and use the 6X30 Leupold Yosemite and their 6X32 Katmai.
In short, if you were to give me something in the really small and light catagory like the above Zeiss binoculars, they would get sold w/o even being used. The 6X30 and the 6X32's however are used a good bit, particularly where the ranges aren't over a mile. Even though the 6X30 Yosemite weighs a good bit more than the Zeiss units, about 13 ozs. vs. 19 ozs., the Yosemites ride flat on the chest and are far easier on the eyes. The extra magnification of the 8-10X Compact Zeiss binoculars only make matters worse. I can actually see more with the 6X30's unless I place one of the Zeiss units on a tripod, or something that steady, which would allow me to use them w/o touching them. E

[quote=joe6555]The Leupold Yosemite gets good reviews. Not sure how compact you want. I have enjoyed my Theron 8x32's.

I have and enjoy both, but its a tough sell to consider them compact. Therons are a full sized 8x32, the Yo's are small for porros but IMO still not compact.

Its all relative though.

I use bushnell excursion 8x28 for my compact. Very inexpensive ($50ish), but a nice view relative to price.

The drop in size from the Yo's to the bushnell 8x28 was enough to make a difference for me. Image is close enough.

I have never been satisfied with the view nor the eye positioning/relief of any compact, and I tried a bunch. Disclosure I never tried any compacts over about $400, so that may make a difference. (Money dont grow on trees over here!)

I'd very VERY interested in a 6 or 7x compact that's slightly smaller than my excursion 8x28, lighter, with the image of the yosemite, all for under $250.

I have a few smaller (though non compact binos) you can try out. How close to NJ are you?

What size/format are your "regular binos"?

I use a pair of 8x30 Steiners and like them a lot!

I like the hell outta the Swaro CL's.....

The Bushnell (B&L) Custom Compacts in 6 or 7 power are handy little porros with excellent optics. John Wooters recommended them to me years ago at a SHOT show. It was good advice.

H22 - is that 8x30s?

mine were the 10's

6x Leupold Yosemite are light an small, not compact but...

H22 - 32s? How was brighness?

I would not want for smaller than my 6x Y's or Katmai, both as small as you want in hand IME. Too small = harder to hold IMO.

for their size, they's awesome in every way.....

I bought these in the 10X. They are my everything binos now....

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/eagle-optics/eagle-optics-ranger-ed-8x32-binocular

I use 8x20 Zeiss Victory when larger are inconvenient and I like them much although my 11YO daughter owns them....

8x30 Steiners rubber armored have worked for me quite well. Good optics and very rugged. Been using them for turkey hunting for about 8 years. Just about as well made as they come.

Tried some "compacts" 9x25 Pentax. Did not keep them long. My compact is a Pentax 8x32 DCF SP; small enuf.

My choice has been Katmai 6X30 - bought on spec because I couldn't find the 6x30 in stock - suit me just fine and fit coat/vest pockets. Mostly kept in the car as not too expensive for the risk.

I have a true compact (8x20? I'd have to look to be sure) that I sometimes carry around town for sports bars and reading the hours on a storefront without getting out of the car but I don't much use true compacts when I set out outdoors. I started by making the true compacts an every day carry just like a pocket knife but I seldom reached for them.

Pretty nice price on these Vortex 8x32's

http://swfa.com/Vortex-8x32-Talon-HD-Binocular-P51767.aspx

That is a good price.

In my link, the Eagle Rangers are identical re-badged Talons.

I have the Leica 10x25's, they are very good-pack down to the size of a small rangefinder and weigh almost nothing. The small frame does take some getting used to but the clarity is great. I wouldn't recommend them for a day of constant glassing but to carry and use occasionally throughout the day they do fine.

I have had a pair of Vortex 8x28 roof prism Hurricanes that have served me extraordinarily well as pocket binoculars w/ phase-corrected coatings and their great lifetime guarantee. They're now called Diamondbacks and at $140 they're a great deal!

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexdiamondback8x28

I have the Leica Ultravid 8x20 and love them. Great compact carry around binocular IMO.

Yep. Got a pair of them myself and their optics are great.

Sweet Wife gave me the Bushnell Custom compacts for Christmas in the seventies. Since then I have had 10x40 Zeiss and have 8x30 SLC. My little Bushnells still live in my hunting bag and see a lot of use. The only fly in the ointment is that they are not water resistant. If the day is even misty, I take the SLC, which is not that cumbersome anyway.

Otherwise a fine little shirt pocket glass.

Best wishes,

Jack