Best budget compact binoculars? (3 Viewers)

[Squirrel]

I need a cheap pair of 'pocketable' compacts - e.g. 8x25, but would consider anything in the region of 6-8 x 21-30, depending on merit.

They must cost no more than about £100, and preferably more like £50 (there are some decent discount deals around). I have looked at a few in shops but would be very interested to hear your suggestions and reviews.

Any recommendations? :brains:

Thanks in advance. |=)|

 

[lvn600]

I've got nikon travelite v 8x25 for about 100 us dollars and they give a pretty good view. I wear them on my belt when I go hiking and use them for checking on the birds out my window.

 

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

I've been searching far and wide for the best pair of low-power (7x or 8x) 25mm binoculars available, I feel this is an almost perfect configuration for daytime birding. So far, I've found very few models that fit these requirements... most of the models available are 8x20 which I've found to be somewhat lacking in detail resolution and lower-light performance.

The best I've found so far are the B&L (Bushnell) Custom 7x26, though they are not waterproof. The best waterproof roof model I've found so far is the Brunton Echo 8x25... a true bargain at only $79.00. I'm planning on purchasing a pair of Bushnell Legend 9x25 next week... I have high hopes for them, everything I've read and heard about them has sounded promising.

In my opinion, the best compact binocular configuration would be a B&L Custom 7x26 that was waterproof... one can always dream!

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[swalker]

I need a cheap pair of 'pocketable' compacts - e.g. 8x25, but would consider anything in the region of 6-8 x 21-30, depending on merit.

They must cost no more than about £100, and preferably more like £50 (there are some decent discount deals around). I have looked at a few in shops but would be very interested to hear your suggestions and reviews.

Any recommendations? :brains:

Thanks in advance. |=)|

I had look at the Summit 8X26 porro (£49 at Peter Jones) last week and was impressed by their view and build.

http://www.johnlewis.com/Shopping/Product.aspx?Type=SKU&ID=230213446&source=14798

It would be good to compare them with the nikon travellites.


Steve

 

[mcdowella]

I have a pair of Nikon Sportsstar IIIs, which I use when I just want to slip a pair into my pocket. They are very pocketable - since they are the style where two barrels fold into a bridge between them. To look through I much prefer e.g. my Nikon 8x30 E2s, but they are much bulkier. The Sportsstars seemed have a survived a few years of being pocketed and then forgotten about pretty well, and I think the current Sportsstar is in your price range.

 

[FrankD]

Throw another vote in for the various Sportstar models. I have the Sportstar II's and they offer a very pleasurable view for the price. Also take a gander at Cabelas Professional series binos. They are in your price range and I thought the optics were quite good the last time Iooked through them.

 

[rka]

Take a look at the Olympus Tracker 8x25 PC1. It should be around US$60 and received the following review from

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/pockets_reviews.html .

" This is an amazing little Porro, well made, bright, and sharp. It did as well as or better than the most expensive binoculars in our optical resolution tests. It offers a close focus of 8.2 feet. At 16.5mm, the eye relief is one of the best, for those who wear glasses as well as those who do not. The inch-long focus knob is rubberized and textured for an easy grip even to gloved fingers. It hangs well, tending to clasp the wearer's chest rather than bouncing around with each step. It's silver and gray, the gray part of which is a nonslip surface. It also comes in 10x25."

 

[Leif]

I need a cheap pair of 'pocketable' compacts - e.g. 8x25, but would consider anything in the region of 6-8 x 21-30, depending on merit.

They must cost no more than about £100, and preferably more like £50 (there are some decent discount deals around). I have looked at a few in shops but would be very interested to hear your suggestions and reviews.

Any recommendations? :brains:

Thanks in advance. |=)|

I would check out deals at Warehous Express. There are some bargains. B&L 8x26 usually get good reviews, and I thought they offered a nice view. I would stick to porros in your price range, unless extreme compactness is crucial. Leif

 

[matt green]

I would check out deals at Warehous Express. There are some bargains. B&L 8x26 usually get good reviews, and I thought they offered a nice view. I would stick to porros in your price range, unless extreme compactness is crucial. Leif

bargains!, more like give aways,bargain basement has a brand new pair of leica ultravids br 8+42 [repaired] with six month warrenty,yours for £600.i want to but home improvements wont let me!.best of luck

 

[scampo]

I need a cheap pair of 'pocketable' compacts - e.g. 8x25, but would consider anything in the region of 6-8 x 21-30, depending on merit.

They must cost no more than about £100, and preferably more like £50 (there are some decent discount deals around). I have looked at a few in shops but would be very interested to hear your suggestions and reviews.

Any recommendations? :brains:

Thanks in advance. |=)|

I was comparing a bunch yesterday and found the Opticron and Swift the best but both were around £150, sadly. The Nikons mentioned above were also good and in your price range. But... I then chanced to look through Swaro 8x20s and realised that you really do get what you pay for. Doh!

 

[pduxon]

Opticron Taiga's are excellent for the price.

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks for all the suggestions - keep them coming! :t:

Some of them are out of my price range or unavailable in the UK, but thanks anyway to everyone who's replied - maybe your reviews will be useful to other people.

They don't have to be super-tiny, just fairly light and compact. I don't mind whether they're roof or porro. I would rather not go above 8x mag or below 24 objective (up to 30).

I'm glad to see a few votes for the Nikon Sportstars - I've looked at those in a couple of shops and was quite impressed with them (lovely wide angle and quite bright and crisp throughout), so it's good to hear some positive field experience too.

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

I've been hunting the web for bargains and there are a few cheap deals at good old Warehouse Express...
Has anybody used any of the following...?

* Bushnell Off Trail 8x30 Porro (RRP £109, now £55)

* Bausch & Lomb Legacy Compact 8x25 *Roof* (RRP £79, now £39)
(The Legacy compact porros look nice too but they only have 10x and 12x; 8x24 sold out)

* Nikon Sprint Compact 8x21 (RRP £89, now £29)
(These seemed very washed-out to me but would still be interested to hear other views)

No Zeiss, Swaro or Leica remotely near my budget, what a surprise! I daren't look at them!

Will keep looking around elsewhere for any bargains on Opticron or Swift etc.

rka, thanks for the Olympus review - I can't find those in the UK though, must be a US model. Ditto for Brunton and Cabelas, I think. swalker, I've never seen Summit bins - will check them out, thanks.

Cheers peeps!

 

[hornet]

I've got Opticron Aspheric LE 8x25 - great optics, compact and they go everywhere with me. The field of view a bit restricted for 8x - if I chose again I'd go 10x25 (more power, same field). You should be able to find them for c. £85, and I would definitely recommend them.

Also, I looked through a pair of Opticron Taiga 10x25 earlier in the year and was seriously impressed. They are a touch larger, being porros, but the optics were top class, and not much came close to them apart from the real top end stuff. If I hadn't already got compact, these would definitely be on my must-try list.

I've tried a few others, including the cheaper Nikons (sub £150) and Helios, generally found them too dark and 'washed out' as you put it.

 

[scampo]

I forgot - problem solved! The Nikon Sporters 8x32 are still available at Warehouse Express for £99-00. A steal. Nothing comes close for the price and they work as easily with or without specs - water resistant, too. My wife paid over twice that when she bought hers a while back. Do a search on the forum - there were very many positive comments about a year ago when they first came on sale at the lower price.

 

[pduxon]

I forgot - problem solved! The Nikon Sporters 8x32 are still available at Warehouse Express for £99-00. A steal. Nothing comes close for the price. We piad over twice that when we bought a pair a while back.

good point.

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.

For me with compacts I find some of them have lens diameters that are too small.

 

[Leif]

For me with compacts I find some of them have lens diameters that are too small.

Exactly. Don't buy a compact binocular unless you really need small size. The small exit pupil makes viewing 'interesting'. Leif

 

[Henry B]

Steve ,I think you mean 8x36....they are sold out...hb

 

[scampo]

Steve ,I think you mean 8x36....they are sold out...hb

Wow - the last one must have sold overnight! But the 10x are an equally good bin, too and a steal. My brother bought them for his wife and rates them very highly.

 

[Henry B]

Wow - the last one must have sold overnight! But the 10x are an equally good bin, too and a steal. My brother bought them for his wife and rates them very highly.

We have the 8s, and are well worth the dosh..

 

[Nick-on]

I need a cheap pair of 'pocketable' compacts - e.g. 8x25, but would consider anything in the region of 6-8 x 21-30, depending on merit.

They must cost no more than about £100, and preferably more like £50 (there are some decent discount deals around). I have looked at a few in shops but would be very interested to hear your suggestions and reviews.

Any recommendations? :brains:

Thanks in advance. |=)|

Another recommendation for the Nikon Sprortstars 8x25, bought a pair last week for £56 including P&P and they are very good indeed. Pretty sharp, good colour and superb close focus (down to 5ft - could actually focus on my toes....once I'd breathed in a bit!)
Build quality seems Ok, focus is smooth, if a bit slow...can't really fault them especially at the price.


Nick