inexpensive compacts? (1 Viewer)

[perterra]

Not a pocket binoc but ssomething small. I have had a Nikon Sprint 8X21 behind the seat for probably 15 years in below freezing to 110º and will probably leave it there, but I'm thinking something with a little more eye relief and a hint of weatherproof. Thinking of Leupold Rogue 8X25 but have no experience with little binocs other than the sprints. FOV is kinda thin on the rogue, whats the word on a decent inexpensive, roof or reverse porro?

 

[PhilR.]

The Vortex Vanquish 8x26 and the Sightron SI 8x25 both have FOV's that are over 350'. These are the largest FOV's I can think of at the moment. Both are quite inexpensive, so IMO either one will fulfill your requirements.

The Alpen 8x20 Wings ED, which is a compact, also has a published FOV of 357' too. It is however more expensive than the two above.

The Pentax and Olympus reverse porros provide quite a bit of performance for the dollar spent. They don't have the FOV of the two above, but would be worth your time to look through.

I think you should get the Sightron SI, and then come back here and put up a review.....

 

[perterra]

I doubt I know enough to make a decent review but you have started me down a direction to research. Thank ya sir.

 

[PhilR.]

You bet. Actually, I really shouldn't say you should get one particular binocular. I've just been wondering about the 32mm SI, but haven't been able to find a review of them. I'm thinking about getting one to keep in the glove compartment of my wife's car. The SII Blue Sky I keep in my truck has been an excellent binocular, so hopefully the SI series compete well in their price range.

I thought I should also suggest you look at (or through) the 8x30 Yosemite or 8.5x Vortex Raptor. Both are very good, but yet still quite small in size and light in weight. You will get a better view in the ~$100 price range with these. If you've not ever seen these before, go to a local Academy Sports or a Cabela's to look at them before you decide. You might well decide that the slightly larger size is worth the view over the 25mm examples.

 

[perterra]

You bet. Actually, I really shouldn't say you should get one particular binocular. I've just been wondering about the 32mm SI, but haven't been able to find a review of them. I'm thinking about getting one to keep in the glove compartment of my wife's car. The SII Blue Sky I keep in my truck has been an excellent binocular, so hopefully the SI series compete well in their price range.

I thought I should also suggest you look at (or through) the 8x30 Yosemite or 8.5x Vortex Raptor. Both are very good, but yet still quite small in size and light in weight. You will get a better view in the ~$100 price range with these. If you've not ever seen these before, go to a local Academy Sports or a Cabela's to look at them before you decide. You might well decide that the slightly larger size is worth the view over the 25mm examples.

I've got the 6X30 yosemites, very good deal for the money. I was just looking for a little smaller.

 

[paul2013]

I was going to suggest that, too. I've so far bought two Yosemite 6X30 as gifts and have a pair of the similar Kowas myself (tried the EO model, but it didn't seem as good as the other two). Definitely not "pocketable", though.

My 8x28 Vortex Hurricanes (like the Diamondbacks) are my favorite trail glasses, but they've been manually collimated so likely better than out of the box (the guy from Vortex said they were the most accurate of those he'd seen - guess I got lucky), but 8x28 seems to be old news these days, in comparison to 8x32.

 

[ceasar]

I was going to suggest that, too. I've so far bought two Yosemite 6X30 as gifts and have a pair of the similar Kowas myself (tried the EO model, but it didn't seem as good as the other two). Definitely not "pocketable", though.

My 8x28 Vortex Hurricanes (like the Diamondbacks) are my favorite trail glasses, but they've been manually collimated so likely better than out of the box (the guy from Vortex said they were the most accurate of those he'd seen - guess I got lucky), but 8x28 seems to be old news these days, in comparison to 8x32.

I bought a Vortex 8 x 28 Hurricane when it was discontinued and found it was impossible for me to use. It's eye cups would not extend long enough for it's long eye relief. I had to hold it an inch or so away from my eyes to use it, otherwise I got bad blackouts. I gave it to my son who wears glasses and he could use it. I have not tried the Diamondback version but it has the same specs that the Hurricane had.

Other than that, I don't think that any 30/32mm binocular can be called compact. 28mm seems to me to be the line where being compact stops. You can fold up a single hinge 28mm roof prism and it will fit into a large shirt pocket on a flannel shirt. I have a Pentax 9x28DCF LV that will fit in the shirt pocket of my Filson shirts. It is also tough, water proof and has long eye relief but has a narrow FOV. It is in the console of my van now.

A 30mm roof prism binocular won't fit into a Filson shirt pocket. A small 30mm roof prism like the Swarovski 8 x 30 CL will fit into the waist pocket of a safari jacket where many 8 x 32s won't fit.

Bob

 

[paul2013]

Bob: Yes, that was the main complaint about the Hurricanes, but as an eyeglasses wearer I never had a problem. I agree that 8x28 roofs are about as big as you can go and still be considered a "compact" (or the slightly larger but lighter reverse porros).

I bought a Vortex 8 x 28 Hurricane when it was discontinued and found it was impossible for me to use. It's eye cups would not extend long enough for it's long eye relief. I had to hold it an inch or so away from my eyes to use it, otherwise I got bad blackouts. I gave it to my son who wears glasses and he could use it. I have not tried the Diamondback version but it has the same specs that the Hurricane had.

Other than that, I don't think that any 30/32mm binocular can be called compact. 28mm seems to me to be the line where being compact stops. You can fold up a single hinge 28mm roof prism and it will fit into a large shirt pocket on a flannel shirt. I have a Pentax 9x28DCF LV that will fit in the shirt pocket of my Filson shirts. It is also tough, water proof and has long eye relief but has a narrow FOV. It is in the console of my van now.

A 30mm roof prism binocular won't fit into a Filson shirt pocket. A small 30mm roof prism like the Swarovski 8 x 30 CL will fit into the waist pocket of a safari jacket where many 8 x 32s won't fit.

Bob

 

[NDhunter]

Four Compact Binoculars

Here are 4 compact binoculars, and 3 of them are in the inexpensive
range, as the poster has requested, under $100.

Left to right are the: Nikon 8x25 Travelite V, Bushnell 8x28 Excursion,
Swarovski 8x30 CL, Leupold 6x30 Yosemite.

I just wanted to show them to show the size of choices of a nice
reverse porro, a couple of roofs, and a typical porro binocular.

As far as performance, they all do well in the sizes represented.

As you can see, the CL although rated as midsize, it does fit into the compact
size range, and that is why it is well regarded, by those looking for small
and lightweight. There are not many other 8x30's that fill this small niche.
The ease of view of this one, I predict would be an advantage over any of
other 8x25's on the market, including Swarovski's new pockets.
So we will see.

Jerry