Is there a CL 7x21 Curio in my future? (1 Viewer)

[mwhogue]

I read good thing about the Curio. How are the eyecups? Narrower than the eyecups of for instance the CL 8x25? I read comments that the 8x25's aren't real pocket bins, but isnt it true that the viewing comfort of a bit bigger bins with wider eyecups and a bit more weight is better?
So in case your pockets are big enough, the CL 8x25 would be the one to pick? The AFOV and the exit pupil a a little bigger too. A 7 power has more DOV. That would be nice af course.
But for me: I have big pockets, I do not care about a bit more weight, I liker higher magnifications, I do care about viewing comfort. I even read that the viewing comfort of the Terra 8x25 is a bit better compared with the CL 8x25, because they have a bit more volume. That's what counts for me as well.
I know, it's all about personal reference. But what about the viewing comfort? Isn't the Curio too little in that respect, if weight and size doesn't matter that much?

Reinier,

Since you do not need or want a smaller 20/21mm bin and you like more magnification then IMO to simplify your choice you could remove the Curio from consideration and try to directly compare the SW, VP and Terra 8x25 to see which handles best for you. With pockets it sometimes takes more practice and experimentation than with full or mid size to find the hold that works best for you.

BTW for me all the models discussed here work well with or without glasses.

Mike

 

[ReinierB]

Thanks! I tried the VP 10x25 once and had to hold it a bit in front of me to see the whole FOV (I do not wear glasses, still. Only for reading, so time will learn when I will need them all the time.) The CL 10x25 did fit me better. But now I prefer 8 power because of the bigger exit pupil. You are right, I have to try them all before I buy one. I will try the Curio as well. Also the Terra, because of the price...

 

[BabyDov]

I am curious, (pun intended) why a compact bino needs to fit into a shirt pocket, which are harder to find today except in dress shirts. Don't other pockets, we might have, work equally as well?

My VPs fit easily into my sweater pocket or even my cargo pants pockets, unlike my bigger Nls. So I am still able to carry them anyehere you could carry a Curio. If I am wearing a dress shirt, I can more easily reach for them in a jacket pocket, which I would, probably, also be wearing.
For versatility, no doubt, the Curio wins as far as where you can fit it. But wouldn't you rather give up a bit of that versatility for the comfort, and easier handling, that the VPs might provide, not to mention their greater magnification, closer focusing, and more immersive view? Perhaps, not, especially if you only want to carry them in a shirt pocket.

 

[BabyDov]

Thanks! I tried the VP 10x25 once and had to hold it a bit in front of me to see the whole FOV (I do not wear glasses, still. Only for reading, so time will learn when I will need them all the time.) The CL 10x25 did fit me better. But now I prefer 8 power because of the bigger exit pupil. You are right, I have to try them all before I buy one. I will try the Curio as well. Also the Terra, because of the price...

You should try the 8x 25 VP. Don't rule it out just because the 10x25 VP didn't work for you. The 10x25 VP with its smaller exit pupil, makes it a bit more finicky with eye placement, with or without glasses.

BTW, when using my 8x25 VP without glasses, the top edge of the extended eye cup rests on the tops of the orbitds of my eyes near my eyebrows. This not only avoids any possibility of blackouts, but also provides for a much more steady hold than trying to fit them inside my orbits. The occulars stay cleaner, too.

 

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If size and weight don't matter to you, the bigger binoculars are going to be more comfortable to use. The CL 8x25 and VP 8x25 will have slightly bigger eye cups than the Curio 7x21, but not much. If you like higher magnification, and you don't care about size, you would probably be better off with the CL 8x25 or VP 8x25. You might even look at a CL 8x30 or MHG 8x30 because they are more comfortable yet. The Terra 8x25 is a very good compact for the price, but it doesn't have quite as good as optics as the CL or VP, obviously because of its price point. The Curio for it's very small size is remarkably comfortable and usable though because of it's 7x21 format. If you want a true pocket binocular, the Curio 7x21 is your best bet.

 

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You should try the 8x 25 VP. Don't rule it out just because the 10x25 VP didn't work for you. The 10x25 VP with its smaller exit pupil, makes it a bit more finicky with eye placement, with or without glasses.

BTW, when using my 8x25 VP without glasses, the top edge of the extended eye cup rests on the tops of the orbitds of my eyes near my eyebrows. This not only avoids any possibility of blackouts, but also provides for a much more steady hold than trying to fit them inside my orbits. The occulars stay cleaner, too.

You don't have to use the Mosfet technique with the Curio.

 

[[email protected]]

I am curious, (pun intended) why a compact bino needs to fit into a shirt pocket, which are harder to find today except in dress shirts. Don't other pockets, we might have, work equally as well?

My VPs fit easily inti my sweater pocket or even my cargo pants pockets, unlike my bigger Nls. So I am still able to carry them anyehere you could carry a Curio. If I am wearing a dress shirt, I can more easily reach for them in a jacket pocket, which I would, probably, also be wearing.
For versatility, no doubt, the Curio wins as far as where you can fit it. But wouldn't you rather give up a bit of that versatility for the comfort, and easier handling, that the VPs might provide, not to mention their greater magnification, closer focusing, and more immersive view? Perhaps, not, especially if you only want to carry them in a shirt pocket.

Not everybody wears sweaters, cargo pants or jackets, especially in the summer. You might as well carry a CL 8x30 or MHG 8x30 or even a small 8x32. Can you fit a VP in your jeans or in a t-shirt pocket? Probably not.

 

[Joe H]

I posted the attached picture to another thread but I'll repost it here. For me, I want to have the binoculars on a strap around my neck (personal preference) but also not too noticeable to the public. That was because I wore them in everything from business-casual to whatever was appropriate for South Pacific jungles. I didn't always want to have them out and have to explain why I had them. Trust me, if you let one kid in a village look through your bins, you're going to have to let all of them. In one case I was conned into bowling cricket (we were using tennis balls) to a group of kids in Vanuatu. It was nice to have the bins in my pocket instead of bouncing around my chest. Every kid in the group wanted a chance to score a 6 off me. I almost passed out from the heat. The kids loved dumping water on me as I laid in the oval - a good reason to have waterproof bins.

 

[[email protected]]

I posted the attached picture to another thread but I'll repost it here. For me, I want to have the binoculars on a strap around my neck (personal preference) but also not too noticeable to the public. That was because I wore them in everything from business-casual to whatever was appropriate for South Pacific jungles. I didn't always want to have them out and have to explain why I had them. Trust me, if you let one kid in a village look through your bins, you're going to have to let all of them. In one case I was conned into bowling cricket (we were using tennis balls) to a group of kids in Vanuatu. It was nice to have the bins in my pocket instead of bouncing around my chest. Every kid in the group wanted a chance to score a 6 off me. I almost passed out from the heat. The kids loved dumping water on me as I laid in the oval - a good reason to have waterproof bins.

That is an excellent idea! The binoculars are easily accessible and protected, but you still have the security of the strap. That would be impossible to do with a VP or CL 8x25.

 

[BabyDov]

Not everybody wears sweaters, cargo pants or jackets, especially in the summer. You might as well carry a CL 8x30 or MHG 8x30 or even a small 8x32. Can you fit a VP in your jeans or in a t-shirt pocket? Probably not.

Not everyone wears shirts with pockets, do they? (With fewer smokers, summer knit shirts often have no pockets.) Furthermore, I don't wear knit shirts or jeans, yet I CAN fit the VPs into my slacks pocket. An 8x32 or 8 x 30 Cl won't fit in any pocket easily, will it? Moreover, if you have to wear a shirt with a pocket in order to carry the Curio, I think you could as well wear cargo pants or regular slacks in order to pocket a VP.

Dennis, you keep trying to make the case that a binicular any bigger than a Curio, may as well be bigger than the VP. I am not buying your premise since the other binoculars you mention are so much bulkier and heavier than either the Curio or VP. I wouldn't want to carry any of them in any pocket, even if I could.

Lastly, you seem to have a problem with my preferences for the VPs. Is that because you have to defend what you own? Or is that because you think that anyone chosing the VP over the Curio, for whatever reason, is just misguided or wrong? I hope not, because I don't think either of us is wrong as long as we are happy with our own choices. I definitely am happy with my VP after spending 3 weeks with the Curio. (I liked the Curios but they weren't for me.)

BTW, did you spend that much time with the VP? I would doubt it. Because if you did, you would understand that both are great binoculars in their own ways and would understand one size does not need to fit all.

 

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Not everyone wears shirts with pockets, do they? (With fewer smokers, summer knit shirts often have no pockets.) Furthermore, I don't wear knit shirts or jeans, yet I CAN fit the VPs into my slacks pocket. An 8x32 or 8 x 30 Cl won't fit in any pocket easily, will it? Moreover, if you have to wear a shirt with a pocket in order to carry the Curio, I think you could as well wear cargo pants or regular slacks in order to pocket a VP.

Dennis, you keep trying to make the case that a binicular any bigger than a Curio, may as well be bigger than the VP. I am not buying your premise since the other binoculars you mention are so much bulkier and heavier than either the Curio or VP. I wouldn't want to carry any of them in any pocket, even if I could.

Lastly, you seem to have a problem with my preferences for the VPs. Is that because you have to defend what you own? Or is that because you think that anyone chosing the VP over the Curio, for whatever reason, is just misguided or wrong? I hope not, because I don't think either of us is wrong as long as we are happy with our own choices. I definitely am happy with my VP after spending 3 weeks with the Curio. (I liked the Curios but they weren't for me.)

BTW, did you spend that much time with the VP? I would doubt it. Because if you did, you would understand that both are great binoculars in their own ways and would understand one size does not need to fit all.

No, my point is the VP 8x25 and CL 8x25 are not a true pocket binocular. They are more of a compact binocular that can be used for birding. Saying you can replace a pocket binocular with a VP 8x25 or CL 8x25 doesn't work for a lot of people. It it works for you, that is fine.

Your logic is interesting because you say a MHG 8x30 or CL 8x30 is way bulkier than a VP 8x25, but yet a VP 8x25 is not much bulkier than a Curio. The dimensions of the VP 8x25 are 4.4x4.5 in. and the dimensions of the Curio 7x21 are 3.7x3.6 in. The dimensions of the MHG 8x30 are 4.7x5.0 in. and CL 8x30 are 4.6x5.0 in. Figuring out the total area of each binocular, the VP 8x25 is 1.5x times bulkier than the Curio and the MHG 8x30 and CL 8x30 are only 1.2x bulkier than the VP 8x25. Now, where is the logic in that?

The true pocket binoculars are 8x20, 7x21 and below. I have no problem with your preference for the VP 8x25, but your post was intended to tout the VP 8x25 as a better choice than the Curio 7x21 for a pocket binocular by pointing out it advantages. It does have some advantages, but it is not a true pocket binocular, but rather a compact birding binocular.

If you wanted a small, compact binocular you could also use for birding the VP would be a better choice than the Curio but if you want a pocket binocular that you can take with you anywhere to concerts, the theater, or hiking and size is very important the Curio would be a better choice.

I had several VP 8x25 and CL 8x25 compacts and I actually preferred the CL 8x25 for it's sharper edges and the fact I didn't have to float it in front of my eyes because the eye cups were too short for the ER like the VP 8x25. I did like the big FOV and AFOV of the VP 8x25 and I can understand why you like it, but for people without eyeglasses it doesn't work very good.

 

[gweller]

No, my point is the VP 8x25 and CL 8x25 are not a true pocket binocular.......

......, but yet a VP 8x25 is not much bulkier than a Curio......

If (as in your own words), the VP 8x25 is not much bulkier than a Curio, why in hell can't it be classed as a pocket binocular?? Honestly Dennis you really do come up with some nonsense.....

 

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If (as in your own words), the VP 8x25 is not much bulkier than a Curio, why in hell can't it be classed as a pocket binocular?? Honestly Dennis you really do come up with some nonsense.....

You are not interpreting the post correctly. My point is there is a bigger step up in size from a Curio 7x21 to a VP 8x25 than from a VP 8x25 to a MHG 8x30 or CL 8x30.

 

[BabyDov]

I would guess that Dennis considers a binocular a true pocket one, only if it fits into a shirt pocket. It would seem that fittting into any other pocket, besides a shirt picket, doesn't count in his book. Perhaps, he's right but only if he were to call Curios "shirt pocket binoculars", which would correctly put them in a class of their own, separate from the other pocket binoculars. I consider any binocular too big to fit in any pocket but smaller than a 32mm objective, to be a compact binocular. 32mm and above ate full size in my book.

 

[GrampaTom]

Your logic is interesting because you say a MHG 8x30 or CL 8x30 is way bulkier than a VP 8x25, but yet a VP 8x25 is not much bulkier than a Curio. The dimensions of the VP 8x25 are 4.4x4.5 in. and the dimensions of the Curio 7x21 are 3.7x3.6 in. The dimensions of the MHG 8x30 are 4.7x5.0 in. and CL 8x30 are 4.6x5.0 in. Figuring out the total area of each binocular, the VP 8x25 is 1.5x times bulkier than the Curio and the MHG 8x30 and CL 8x30 are only 1.2x bulkier than the VP 8x25. Now, where is the logic in that?

Dennis, could you show us the math you used to calculate total area, please?

 

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Dennis, could you show us the math you used to calculate total area, please?

A=L x W

 

[GrampaTom]

A=L x W

Thought maybe. Length x width doesn't quite describe the issue. The number you need to better describe bulk in a pocket is probably not so easily obtainable. Spread the bino to your IPD then measure around the girth/circumference of the whole. I get many with a pocket bino will collapse them before pocketing. If thats one's way, then measure girth of the collapsed. I suspect this is where those 30s are not going to look so close. Pockets being what they are take em or leave....

 

[[email protected]]

I would guess that Dennis considers a binocular a true pocket one, only if it fits into a shirt pocket. It would seem that fittting into any other pocket, besides a shirt picket, doesn't count in his book. Perhaps, he's right but only if he were to calls Curios "shirt pocket binoculars", which would correctly put them in a class of their own, separate from the other pocket binoculars.

I would call the 7x21 and 8x20 binoculars and below pocket binoculars and the 8x25 binoculars compacts. The Leica UV and Trinovid 8x20's are pocket binoculars also. Nothing wrong with an 8x25 or 8x30, it is just they are in a different class or size. That is why Swarovski has a 7x21, an 8x25 and 8x30. Different strokes for different folks and different uses. Each class has its advantages. I am surprised Zeiss hasn't come out with an 8x20 or 7x21 to compete with the Curio. They used to make a nice Victory 8x20.

Zeiss Victory 8x20 Review

scopeviews.co.uk

 

[BabyDov]

You don't have to use the Mosfet technique with the Curio.

Perhaps, you should, even though it isn't necessary. . Because of their tiny size, this technique could help steady them, if that was an issue for you.

 

[[email protected]]

Thought maybe. Length x width doesn't quite describe the issue. The number you need to better describe bulk in a pocket is probably not so easily obtainable. Spread the bino to your IPD then measure around the girth/circumference of the whole. I get many with a pocket bino will collapse them before pocketing. If thats one's way, then measure girth of the collapsed. I suspect this is where those 30s are not going to look so close. Pockets being what they are take em or leave....

LxW gives you a pretty good idea of their bulk. The height of most of them is pretty close, with each aperture increase being about 5 mm. You're right that the folded size of the 8x30 is going to be bigger than an 8x25 because of the bigger aperture you have an extra 10 mm of width, but that holds true for the 8x20 versus the 8x25 also. Plus, the Curio and Leica's are double hinged, so they fold tighter. I don't know of any 8x30's that are double hinged. If there was one, it would be more compact when folded.