Best budget compact binoculars? (1 Viewer)

[FrankD]

Any comments on how the Sportstars compare with the same size Travelites, in various conditions of use?

I think the Travelites offer a brighter image...and a clearer image across more of the entire field of view. I believe this to be the result of the porro prism design and the aspheric lens. Either would be a nice choice with the Sportstars being a bit more compact. If given the choice myself and without ultimate compactness in mind I would opt for the Travelites as I believe the overall image is a bit better.

The Sporters would have been nice at that price.

How about the Bushnell Legend 8x26s? They are fully multicoated, waterproof and relatively well made. Last I saw they were priced right at $120 US at Cabelas. www.cabelas.com The image they provide is quite good in my opinion...for the price.

 

[postcardcv]

Squirrel with compacts you really must try them. For example I looked through Zeiss, Swaro, Leica Ultravid compacts and the Opticron DBA yesterday and the Ultravid was the one I would definitely not buy. I'd much prefer the Taiga's because I found the viewing expereince through the Leica's very unpleasant. Now my mate liked them and when I got the placement right they produced a good image.

I was working in an optics shop on that day and had a chap come in and try those four bins and he didn't like the ultras either - guess that was you :hi:

Squirrel - within the price bracket you're looking at the Opticron Taiga's woudl get my vote, they are excellent value. Personally I prefer them to the Nikons, but that's just me.

 

[ceasar]

I have Nikon's 9 x 25 Travellites and I like them very much. Sharp and easy to use, but they do have short eyerelief. The price is right too, at about $110.00 US funds.

 

[Tero]

I would stick with either 8x or 10x. I confuse myself too much working with 7x, 8x and 10x already. Other than that, I remember the various Travelites being OK.

 

[pduxon]

I was working in an optics shop on that day and had a chap come in and try those four bins and he didn't like the ultras either - guess that was you :hi:

Squirrel - within the price bracket you're looking at the Opticron Taiga's woudl get my vote, they are excellent value. Personally I prefer them to the Nikons, but that's just me.

yeah - you were the chap serving me? I must have left the BF cap off!! I did say somewhere on here it was a good shop didn't I !! ooh a tick !! The big fella with me was Deboo.

 

[postcardcv]

yeah - you were the chap serving me? I must have left the BF cap off!! I did say somewhere on here it was a good shop didn't I !! ooh a tick !! The big fella with me was Deboo.

I was indeed - good to meet you both - say hi next time you come in.

I guess I should start wearing a BF cap at work so if other members come in they can spot me - might be a good way to get my BF200 club list going.

 

[lvn600]

travelites seem to have real close focus.

 

[Tero]

[expanding from the 8x in the opening post to 8x, 9x and 10x. Some good models are only sold as 10x]

From my past 3 years of looking at stuff under $250. I have put most of my money into 32mm and 40 or 42mm.

Audubon Vector 10x25 roofs
Not the worst little roofs, but not the sharpest. Felt like looking into a microscope, small eye cups

Pentax UCF WP 8x25 and 10x25 reverse porros
Based on the 10x25, which I saw, I think the 8x25 will be very similar to Nikon ProStaff 8x25. The 10x were definitely a bit dim, same as ProStaff. The 10x has a tripod mount if that is of interest. Nice diopter setting in middle, works. I compared the 10x to Monarch 10x42 that I had with me, and you just can’t see as much detail at distance with a 10x25. The Pentax has a tripod mount, but it did not help me. The detail of a 10x42 just was not there to see.

Pentax Papilio 8.5x21 reverse porros
I liked these otherwise, but they gave me easily blackouts. Bright and fairly sharp. I think the fun come with viewing things close by, butterflies etc, they look huge.

Pentax DCF MC II 8x25 roofs
I liked these overall. Bright, compact but fairly sturdy for double hinged (might last 5 years). FOV is a bit narrow. I did not like the 10x25, sweet spot is small, and only 5 deg fov. They are not worth your trouble, unlike the 8x.

Nikon ProStaff 9x25 reverse porros
I have these, I like them. Bright enough, 10x is dim. 8x is also good. Diopter on right side, extremely stiff.

Nikon Travelite 9x revers porros
Not water proof. I have a feeling they were a bit sharper than ProStaff 9x, but they had more flare.

Nikon Sportstar 8x25
Nice wide field for casual birding and other uses, not phase coated. Maybe the only non phase coated 8x25 roof available that is any good.

Cabelas Alaskan Guide 10x28
These were probably the best I came by. Not sure the 10x offers any advantage, but I was able to hold them OK for medium distance in the store. I predict I could ID a kinglet at a fair distance. Fov is only 4.9 degrees or so, so definitely a problem for birds fairly close. Also made in 12x, but no 8x.

Nikon Medallion 8x21 and Pentax 8x21 were also acceptable, nothing spectacular.

Bushnell Excursion 8x28
Acceptable, nothing amazing. The 10x28 had ridiculous small depth of field, not useable.

Bushnell Legend 10x26 reverse porro
Worse than Pentax 10x25. Nothing interesting.

Vortex Spitfire series
Not really worth the trouble, but try 8x if you need to see these non phase coated binoculars. Wait for Vortex Fury, check out 8x28 for about $230. Have not seen them yet.

Brunton Echo 8x25
I have seen it, and it was somewhere in the same category as Nikon Sportstar 8x25. Or possibly slightly better. It has been a few years since I saw them.

There are a few under $250 models I have not seen:
two Vortex
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4829
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4653

Leupold makes an Olympic 10x25, and I may have taken a quick look once, I do not recall them being exciting. FOV 262ft. Also 8x25.

A bit bulkier with single hinge, but I prediuct the Fury will beat the Pentax 8x25 roofs. I could live with either, they are just compact after all.

If bulk is not an issue, I recommend a good 8x32 roof over any on the list above.