10x25 or 10x32? (1 Viewer)

[wachipilotes]

Hello,
On a trip I took recently I used a pocket 10X25 binos and I liked the relationship, weight, size, lens / magnification, although the bino was of very poor quality ..
Now I want to buy a better 10X25, medium quality, good quality / price, would you recommend me some particular model?
And ... there is much difference between 10x25 and 10x32 model? In terms of: price, weight and lightness?
A greeting and thanks
Wachi.

 

[PhilR.]

I have yet to see a good "medium quality" 10x25, so I could not recommend one. Actually, the only good 10x25's I've ever used are all in the upper end of the price ranges.

Yes, there is a difference between 25mm and 32mm, both is physical size and image quality. 10x in 25mm or 32mm is a tough nut to crack, and is only done really well by upper to high-end binos. However, once you get to 30 or 32mm, the image quality of a 10x starts to become somewhat acceptable. Not great image quality of course, but passable as long as your expectations are reasonable. Some 10x30/32's weigh under 17oz. so they are very easy to travel with. The Nikon Monarch 7 and Zen-Ray/Celestron Trailseeker are good examples.

That being said, I would agree with considering a 25mm or 30/32mm in 8x instead (the post I'm agreeing with seems to have disappeared). In your price range, you will get a *substantial* increase in image quality. The 8x M7 is a lot better than the 10x (I don't really consider the 10x30 M7 to be worth owning). Same goes for the Leupold Mojave, and Yosemite too. You might even save a bit of money too. The Hawke Sapphire 8x25 is supposed to be quite good, and would be the one mid-level 8x25 I would consider. Of course there are a great number of mid-level 30 and 32mm's in 8x too, many under 18oz. in weight.

 

[ceasar]

I agree with Phil. There probably aren't any good medium quality 10x25 binoculars unless you want to consider a reverse Porro Prism like the Nikon Pro-Staff 10x25 ATB which costs under $150.00. It is water proof.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/Nikon-Products/Binoculars/ProStaff-10x25-ATB.html

The Nikon 10x25 Premier LX L is an excellent binocular. It is a Roof Prism. I have one. It costs $550.00.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/Nikon-Products/Binoculars/Premier-LX-L-10x25.html

Any other 10x25 binoculars better than these two will approach $900.00 or more.

As for the 10x32 format, I don't think you will find a decent one which is not considered to be an "Alpha" and they will cost close to $2000.00.

There is an overlooked very reasonably priced alternative if you want to settle for 9x32 instead of 10x32. It is the Pentax DCF BC 9x32. I have one and it is surprisingly good. They have just been upgraded and are now designated AD 9x32 WP and they cost $279.00. I have linked pictures of the new and the old versions below. They are the same binocular but with some internal improvements.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=pentax_62791


http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/sport-optics/products/DCF_BC_9x32#!product-specs

Bob

 

[wachipilotes]

Thanks for the posts.
I found some examples, if you know them, used or have any reference to them ....
I understand that Alpha are much better but having tasted very bad, I think any of these will be much better.
the ones we tried, some children are plastic ... !!
thank you very much.
- Minox BV 10x25 BRW
- Olympus 10x25 WP II
- MINOX BD 10x25
- Eschenbach Trophy 10X25
- Kowa BD 10x25 DCF
- Opticron T3 Trailfinder

Barr & Stroud Sierra 10x32

 

[Alexis Powell]

If you want a 10x25, I'd have a look at the Bushnell 10x25 Legend Ultra HD. I haven't tried them myself (I prefer 8x bins), but they are the first medium-priced (generally sell for $140-$200) pocket roof model that I've ever seen get consistently good reviews. Bushnell has the purchasing/marketing power to every now and again offer a product with superb optics for the money. I think this model might be one of them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/844935-REG/Bushnell_190125_Legend_Ultra_HD_10x25.html

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Legend-Compact-Folding-Binoculars/dp/B006U3ZJIO

--AP

 

[SteveTS]

I found some examples, if you know them, used or have any reference to them .... - Eschenbach Trophy 10X25

The lastest incarnation of the Eschenbach Trophy 10x25 is the Eschenbach Trophy F ED 10x25.

We had one positive user report of the F ED 8x25 a while ago, in this thread :

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=294219

Earlier discontinued models are still available and it is worth paying attention to the various model numbers with these.

The F ED 10x25 has a field of 114m compared to 144m of the F ED 8x25, I think.

Eur 185.00 would be realistic for the 8x25.

Best wishes,

 

[justabirdwatcher]

There probably aren't any good medium quality 10x25 binoculars

I don't consider them "medium quality" but the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x25's are "medium priced."

I bought a pair and like them so much, I sold my Leica Ultravid 10x25's as I could see no difference between them and I preferred the handling of the Bushnells vs. the Leicas. I do not regret that decision at all, and find myself reaching for my 10x25 Bushnells quite often. I am never disappointed by the view. The sharpness is just outstanding, and the collimation is the best I've seen in a double-hinge binocular - no eye strain whatsoever.

I can highly recommend them.

 

[kkokkolis]

Reading about 10x32 beeing mediocre except the Alphas, I'm puzzled. What about the Zeiss Conquest? I seriously want to buy one (8x32 version) and these forums made me hesitant. Or should I follow the opinions I read everywhere else (which claim that it is good?).
Anyway, until we get there, I think that the UCF design is an option and it goes up to 25mm. I stick with my Papilio, despite its problems (mainly narrow AFOV -but really flat-, only 21mm and mildly annoying reflections) but there is a fair selection of UCFs from Pentax (the inventors) and Nikon.

 

[ceasar]

Reading about 10x32 beeing mediocre except the Alphas, I'm puzzled. What about the Zeiss Conquest? I seriously want to buy one (8x32 version) and these forums made me hesitant. Or should I follow the opinions I read everywhere else (which claim that it is good?).
Anyway, until we get there, I think that the UCF design is an option and it goes up to 25mm. I stick with my Papilio, despite its problems (mainly narrow AFOV -but really flat-, only 21mm and mildly annoying reflections) but there is a fair selection of UCFs from Pentax (the inventors) and Nikon.

The Conquest 10x32 should be good but try it out first to see if you like it. I don't consider the Zeiss Conquest to be mediocre.

I know that the Nikon 10x32 HG/L was highly rated but it has been discontinued since Nikon came out with the 10x32 EDGII. One is reviewed in this review of 10x binoculars by Kimmo Absetz in "Alula" in 2004. (I still have mine and I think it is excellent.) You might still be able to find one.

http://www.lintuvaruste.fi/hinnasto/optiikkaarvostelu/optics_8_Leicaultravid_GB.shtml

Bob

 

[ads]

There are 10x25's in the 8 ounce range.
10x32's start at around 16 ounces. So those are different beasts you are considering.

The compact binoculars suffer from:
1. dim view
2. finicky eye positioning
3. narrow FOV
4. they vibrate more than a heavier binocular
5. ergonomics are compromised because of small size/folding ability

Issues 1 through 4 are magnified by choosing a 10x vs. an 8x, so most people prefer the lower magnifications when going for a compact.

Optically compact binoculars can be very good, given the inherit limitations. From what I have seen, center resolution doesn't have to be compromised at all compared to a full-size.

I find the Alpen Wings ED 8x20's to be excellent. They look almost exactly like the Bushnells and may be siblings.

 

[oldfortyfive]

Take a look at http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/viper_binoculars

I have the 8x28's and been very happy with them.

 

[kabsetz]

Wachi,

I have not tried or tested most of the binoculars mentioned in this thread, but as general advice would recommend avoiding binoculars with exit pupils smaller than 3mm if you want to enjoy the view. None of the 8x20 binoculars are good enough for me, nor would any of the 10x25. 10x30 is marginal. For traveling, sports and events, I use a Leica Ultravid 8x20 which is as good as they come in that size, but every time I use it I'm nevertheless dissatisfied with the view.

Therefore my recommendation would be the best 8x25-32 you can find/afford, or if it really has to be a 10x, a model with at least 30mm objective diameter.

Kimmo

 

[kkokkolis]

The Conquest 10x32 should be good but try it out first to see if you like it.

Unfortunatelly, I can't, I have to order it blind. Small market here, they stock up to the Terras.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

[justabirdwatcher]

Take a look at http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/viper_binoculars

I have the 8x28's and been very happy with them.

Those Vortex Viper 8x28's are superb "semi-" compacts. I had a pair for several years. They were my hunting and shooting binocs, and they were fantastic. I often wonder why I ever sold them.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

You can throw money at 8x21s and make a little headway,
but they don't have the vexing combination of small exit pupil AND more shake like 10x25s.

A 10x25 monocular would be a lot easier to use given that.

 

[barshnik]

When in the market for an 'alpha' that fit my desires, I chose the Swaro 10x32 SV. OK, not what you might call a compact, or not inexpensive, but pretty darn 'carry-able'. And, you'll never have to apologize to your eyes about the optic quality of the glasses. I'd recommend a 'medium size' 10x over a small one (I have Nikon Premier 8x20 but they go virtually unused vs. the 10x SV's.)

John F
LV NV

 

[brocknroller]

I you can order from another country, the Kowa Genesis XD 10x33 Binoculars were rated "Best Safari & Travel Binocular 2011" by bestbinocularsrviews.com, but they cost about a thousand USD. The slightly less expensive alternative would be a 10x25 CL Pocket.

Kowa10x33GenesisXD

In considering the Kowa, keep in mind what Publilius Brockus said: A "rolling ball" gathers no [low] distortion.

<B>

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Wachpilotes,
I can recommend the Kite Lynx 8x30 or 10x30 as a very good alternative to all binoculars mentioned. My personal choice would be the Lynx 8x30: compact, light, large field of view, good optical performance for its price and very good handling comfort. Also important may be the service level and that is really excellent for Kite (I do not know about Spain, but if I am well informed that should be OK), whereas the Nikon after sales service is very very bad in The Netherlands and Belgium, but I do not know about other countries in Europe .
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[justabirdwatcher]

I was able to handle a pair of 10x30 Nikon Monarch 7's last week at the Portland Audubon store, and they are exceptional little binoculars. I had them side-by-side with the Swarovski CL 10x30's, and could not tell the difference. Same size, same weight, same excellent view.

They are now on my short list for midsize binocs.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

Since something to stabilize really kicks up 10x performance...
I'm thinking...10x30s with a monopod would be awesome for hill/mountain hikes.