Pocket binoculars that fit in your pocket! (2 Viewers)

[Sprite1275]

I've been after some good pocket binoculars for a while now for general walks. I recently bought some Hawke frontier ED X 8x32 which are brilliant binoculars and the thought was I would just carry a bag and take them along with me. In reality when just going on a family stroll etc I can't be bothered carrying a bag. We went out the other day for a 7 mile walk, I took the binoculars and probably looked through them about 4 times. So for the whole walk I lumped a bag on my shoulder just for 4 viewings. To be honest I would of looked through them a lot more if they were to hand in my pocket.

So I'm back on the search for a pocket binocular. I pretty much narrowed it down to Swarovski and Zeiss. Love the look of the Swarovski 8x25, not that keen on the zeiss victory one hinge as they look a bit awkward folded up. Trouble is that I'm new to binoculars and not seen either to look at. I've searched a lot for pictures on the web which some give a good indication how big they are but most pictures are of them folded out, which does not help to know if they would fit in a pocket. Coat pocket yes but shirt or trouser pocket?

I've now seen a lot of threads where people say they are not really Pocketable which defeats the object. So this has now made me search more and from what I could see the only decent binoculars I narrowed it down to was Leica ultravid 8x20 or Nikon hg 8x20 with the latter being slightly larger. Both seem small enough with great optics. The only thing I'm worried about is an exit pupil of 2.5. Not experienced it and worried they will be hard to look through but if I want small then I don't have a choice.

So it looks like I'll have to wait until the shops are back open to go and view all these binoculars right? Wrong, patience is not my forte.

I was close to buying the nikon as they can be had cheaper than the ultravid although they look a little larger. That was until I spotted a pair of ultravid second hand so I've gone for them. Hoping I get on with them.

In the meantime be great to know if anyone has the swaro or Zeiss and keep them in there pockets?

 

[Maljunulo]

Is it out of order to ask why not just wear them around your neck?

 

[fazalmajid]

Even smaller, the Nikon 7x15 M CF.

I have the Zeiss 8x25, Ultravid 8x25 and the Nikons. The Zeiss are by far the best.

I keep them in my jacket pocket or for the Ultravid in their leather belt case.

 

[Mono]

I had a similar search for truly pocketable binoculars. I find most high end 8x20s are still too big. I had a pair of Zeiss Conquest 8x20 that were tiny, and would fit in normal trouser pockets. I was gutted when I lost them and found they had been discontinued. After another search I settled on the Leica Trinovid 8x20, the Ultravids are just too big! I have had lots of good service from them, they are great to stick in your pocket even when you are just popping to the shops.

 

[fazalmajid]

Here is a size comparison:

https://majid.info/images/minioptics.jpg

 

[mpeace]

I have the Zeiss 8x25s and I keep them in a nice fitting firm canvas zip-up bag on my belt. An old instant camera bag or similar works well. I don't keep the neck strap on them and just have a small camera wrist strap attached to one of the lugs that hangs out the bag without being noticed or getting in the way. If I see something my hand goes through the strap as I pull the bins out and they're secure for viewing, then straight back in the bag 'holster' style after. They're safe in the bag and I don't really care if I've looked through them or not, because I just forget they're on me until I need them. I would do the same with the Swarovski 8x25s or any 'pocket' binocular for walking, hiking or travel. I think it keeps them much cleaner and safer than having them in a pocket as well. Plus your pockets are free for snacks, pocket guides etc. I guess it's like an external zip-up pocket in effect. Anyway if keeping your new bins in your pocket still doesn't work out I strongly recommend trying the bag on a belt approach. Good luck with your 8x20s they've always really appealed.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Leica Ultravid 8x20. The Zeiss Victory 8x25 and Swarovski 8x25 CL-P are not really pocketable unless you have big pockets but either have better optics than the Leica if you can tolerate their bigger size. Of the two I prefer the Swarovski because although it has a smaller FOV it has a bigger sweet spot and sharper edges which makes up for it. For me and a lot of other people that don't wear glasses the Zeiss Victory 8x25 is a "floater." The eye cups are too short and small in diameter for the eye relief, so you have to float them in front of your face to avoid black-outs. The Swarovski also have better build quality IMO.

 

[Anon2020]

If pocketability is the primary consideration would a monocular be an acceptable compromise?

It’s years since I last used my Zeiss Jena mono but I seem to recall it was ok.

 

[Mikewander]

Zeiss Victory Pocket.
Amazing view for something only weighing 290g.

 

[chill6x6]

So I have two "pocket" binoculars, the Zeiss Terra ED 8X25 and the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8X25. I've owned the Terra ED quite a while and only recently acquired the VP 8X25. Both will absolutely fold and fit in your SHIRT pocket. Really, I don't like to keep a binocular in a case except for storage or transportation. For me a binocular needs to be accessible in an instant so I really don't even keep them in a pocket though they will fit. I use a Rick Young UL harness for every binocular that keeps it against my chest with no flopping as I walk.

I really like the Terra ED. For the money it's going to be hard to beat. I recommend it without reservation. The focus is a little stiff but certainly manageable. It's a "dual hinge" design that I think I like a little more than the "single hinge" design of the VP but the jury is still out. I've actually only used the VP one time and that happened to be when the pictures below were taken so really I can't comment too much about the VP in actual use.

 

[Sprite1275]

Is it out of order to ask why not just wear them around your neck?

I did a bit but having a bag hanging off me and 550g of bins round my neck while walking or climbing over styles just winds me up. If im just going for a little wonder and chilling out looking at birds etc its fine but not on a 7 mile walk.

 

[Sprite1275]

Even smaller, the Nikon 7x15 M CF.

I have the Zeiss 8x25, Ultravid 8x25 and the Nikons. The Zeiss are by far the best.

I keep them in my jacket pocket or for the Ultravid in their leather belt case.

Yes them nikons are super small and nearly bought some the other day but from what i read the view through them is a bit dull? I imagine the Zeiss would definitely be better with bigger objectives and they are awesome bins. I would still choose the swaros though if going 25 objective. Like i say winter i would be fine with the bigger Zeiss/swaro with my coat on but summer is on its way thankfully.

 

[Sprite1275]

I had a similar search for truly pocketable binoculars. I find most high end 8x20s are still too big. I had a pair of Zeiss Conquest 8x20 that were tiny, and would fit in normal trouser pockets. I was gutted when I lost them and found they had been discontinued. After another search I settled on the Leica Trinovid 8x20, the Ultravids are just too big! I have had lots of good service from them, they are great to stick in your pocket even when you are just popping to the shops.

Oh, i have not checked the dimension difference between the ultra and trinovid. Ill have to have a look.

 

[Sprite1275]

Here is a size comparison:

https://majid.info/images/minioptics.jpg

Nice pic think ive seen it in another thread. Bit hard to tell though with the victory on there side. Also one of the reasons I have the ultrvids on there way though is that they are a thing of beauty

 

[Sprite1275]

I have the Zeiss 8x25s and I keep them in a nice fitting firm canvas zip-up bag on my belt. An old instant camera bag or similar works well. I don't keep the neck strap on them and just have a small camera wrist strap attached to one of the lugs that hangs out the bag without being noticed or getting in the way. If I see something my hand goes through the strap as I pull the bins out and they're secure for viewing, then straight back in the bag 'holster' style after. They're safe in the bag and I don't really care if I've looked through them or not, because I just forget they're on me until I need them. I would do the same with the Swarovski 8x25s or any 'pocket' binocular for walking, hiking or travel. I think it keeps them much cleaner and safer than having them in a pocket as well. Plus your pockets are free for snacks, pocket guides etc. I guess it's like an external zip-up pocket in effect. Anyway if keeping your new bins in your pocket still doesn't work out I strongly recommend trying the bag on a belt approach. Good luck with your 8x20s they've always really appealed.

Cheers it is an option ive thought of but still my 8x32 would be too big and if im buying smaller bins i want them to be small enough for my pocket or i might as well just take my 8x32 in there excellent shoulder bag.

 

[Sprite1275]

If pocketability is the primary consideration would a monocular be an acceptable compromise?

It’s years since I last used my Zeiss Jena mono but I seem to recall it was ok.

I would rather a binocular.

 

[Sprite1275]

Zeiss Victory Pocket.
Amazing view for something only weighing 290g.

Yes i would imagine and deffo lighter than the swaro. But can i fir them in my shorts pocket? This is the trouble with lockdown. I cant get to shops to try them out.

 

[Sprite1275]

So I have two "pocket" binoculars, the Zeiss Terra ED 8X25 and the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8X25. I've owned the Terra ED quite a while and only recently acquired the VP 8X25. Both will absolutely fold and fit in your SHIRT pocket. Really, I don't like to keep a binocular in a case except for storage or transportation. For me a binocular needs to be accessible in an instant so I really don't even keep them in a pocket though they will fit. I use a Rick Young UL harness for every binocular that keeps it against my chest with no flopping as I walk.

I really like the Terra ED. For the money it's going to be hard to beat. I recommend it without reservation. The focus is a little stiff but certainly manageable. It's a "dual hinge" design that I think I like a little more than the "single hinge" design of the VP but the jury is still out. I've actually only used the VP one time and that happened to be when the pictures below were taken so really I can't comment too much about the VP in actual use.

Nice pics. It does show how the victory are not as compact with the sticky out hinge. Trouble is im of a small physique and do not wear many shirts with a pocket so they will go in trouser or short pockets. What made you get the victory's?

 

[Anon2020]

Nice pics. It does show how the victory are not as compact with the sticky out hinge. Trouble is im of a small physique and do not wear many shirts with a pocket so they will go in trouser or short pockets. What made you get the victory's?

To come at this from a different angle what sort of shorts do you wear (and yes I do know this may seem a strange question!)?

Would cargo shorts and their large pockets not accommodate most pocket bins?

 

[chill6x6]

Nice pics. It does show how the victory are not as compact with the sticky out hinge. Trouble is im of a small physique and do not wear many shirts with a pocket so they will go in trouser or short pockets. What made you get the victory's?

Curiosity and I saw a nice deal on BF classified! LOL

They should fit in your pants pockets as well.