Compact Hunting Binos

[Crews]

I'm on a search for a pair of hunting binoculars. I've got a pair of 10x42 Leicas that are amazing; but would like to have something a little smaller and lower profile. Plus, my wife wants her own pair when she goes. I have a pair of cheaper Minox 8x42's, but the resolution sucks and seems like I have to focus the things for even 25 yard differences in distance.

Budget would ideally be south of $1k, closer to $500 would be even better. I'm okay with not having a Leica-esque experience, but definitely don't want to be severely disappointed switching back and forth. Resolution in low light is fairly important. I'm thinking maybe 8x42 in something? Is it wiser to buy better glass in a smaller objective? What does the group think? Love to hear some suggestions and real world experience from the hunters out there. Thanks!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We just put the Athlon Cronus 8.5x42 ED on sale for only $319.99. Under $500.00 it certainly is a best buy

 

[Mxridr]

Pretty funny I tried to order those last week and you told me they were discontinued.

 

[Crews]

Let's keep it constructive folks!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Pretty funny I tried to order those last week and you told me they were discontinued.

They were. We got a phone call from Athlon 2 days ago saying they had some inventory in the warehouse and did we want it on a special. We jumped on the opportunity

 

[Lawnboi]

Been happy with Swarovski CL 8x30s for a while.

 

[Schnyd112]

Doug set me up with a set of 8x42 meopta meopro's. i don't know how big your 10x42 Leica's are, but these are not overly small. They do fit in the smaller badlands magnetic case and i was not bothered by weight or bulk chasing deer.

Great experience overall, super glad i have them.

 

[Crews]

Edit

 

[Crews]

Been happy with Swarovski CL 8x30s for a while.

Do you find the smaller size is limiting in low light conditions? Or does glass quality make up for most of it? Also, how does the “depth of field” seem? Do you have to focus a lot if you’re scanning at different distances?

Doug set me up with a set of 8x42 meopta meopro's. i don't know how big your 10x42 Leica's are, but these are not overly small. They do fit in the smaller badlands magnetic case and i was not bothered by weight or bulk chasing deer.

Great experience overall, super glad i have them.

Meopta Meopro is definitely on the short list. I’ll have to pay special attention to the actual size. Other than that, any complaints about the ability to resolve details when you’re hunting? Any experience as compared to higher end stuff?

 

[Lawnboi]

Do you find the smaller size is limiting in low light conditions? Or does glass quality make up for most of it? Also, how does the “depth of field” seem? Do you have to focus a lot if you’re scanning at

Im no optics expert but Iv been very happy with them. Iv owned some lower end glass, Leupold and vortex but no alpha binos. I do not feel at a disadvantage at all with the 8x30, they go with me always and have been on a number of open county hunts. Depth of field hasn’t been a problem at all. I havethe older model,the new model seems to get rave reviews. When I think small and ergonomic, the CL I don’t think can be beat. If I’d had the money at the time I would have ponied up the extra dough for the 8x32 EL and run those for everything for the foreseeable future. I carry these with a swaro ats 65

 

[Schnyd112]

Do you find the smaller size is limiting in low light conditions? Or does glass quality make up for most of it? Also, how does the “depth of field” seem? Do you have to focus a lot if you’re scanning at different distances?


Meopta Meopro is definitely on the short list. I’ll have to pay special attention to the actual size. Other than that, any complaints about the ability to resolve details when you’re hunting? Any experience as compared to higher end stuff?

so i upgraded from a very old pair of Pentax, they are lightyears better than those. We took a Swaro 20-60x80 and razor 11-33x55 for spotting scopes, and a set of Leica Geovid HD that i think are 10x. while the spotters are clearer, i had no complaints with the binoculars. We hunted the last days in some pretty rainy conditions and again, no complaints. They are no worse for the wear after being in blowing rain and freezing overnight temps.

The leica's are more clear, but they are almost 3x the price and significantly heavier. I don't run them on a tripod but the entire field of view was clear and they did well enough in the shadows, first and last light that i did not have any issues. i actually think the full FoV resolution on these is better than on the vortex spotter, it gets a little distorted around the edges i noticed. It never got very hot so i can't say anything about mirage.

 

[Crews]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

[myronman3]

I cant attest to the 8x cl’s, but i do have 8x32 el’s. Also had a set of 10x42 el’s and side by side, i couldnt tell a difference. Daytime, fading light....i’m telling you, the 8x32 els had everything the 10x42 had. I have the 8x32s on a tripod, and holy smokes....they are incredible. It looks a smidge silly, the smal binos on the tripod, but damned if it isnt the cat’s ass. Very little focusing. Worth every penny of what i spent on them.

I can appreciate budgets. I’ve been stretched thin for so damn long, i cant remember what it’s like to not be. If the 8x32 cl’s are anything close to the el’s, man o man.

 

[Crews]

The 8x30’s definitely sound like a serviceable option!

 

[XLR308]

I allways have a pair of Stiener 10x26 Predator Pros in my pack when I go hunting.
They are very compact and light weight with good glass for what I use them for.
The only real complaint I have with them is the focus gets pretty stiff when the temps drop into the single digits and below.

 

[Bri0242]

In the past, I owned a pair of Swaro 8x30 CL & 8x42 SLC. IMHO, the glass was very similar. I sold both to get a set of Leica HDB 3000. I’m now looking for a good deal on another 8x30CL for travel & light hunting. The Swaro 8x32 EL are VERY nice as well. It really depends on your budget.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I have the choice of Leica 10x42 and 8x32 whenever I open the safe.
The 8x32 go hunting, the 10x42 go to the range.
BTW, there is a 10oz difference in weight too.

 

[atepointer]

I have the choice of Leica 10x42 and 8x32 whenever I open the safe.
The 8x32 go hunting, the 10x42 go to the range.
BTW, there is a 10oz difference in weight too.

Mikey that dang digital camera though? It's so clear even I can see paper holes at 300!

 

[Crews]

In the past, I owned a pair of Swaro 8x30 CL & 8x42 SLC. IMHO, the glass was very similar.

Another good data point on comparison between CL and SLC image quality. Did you find that the 30mm was not as good as the 42mm in low light conditions?

 

[Crews]

I have the choice of Leica 10x42 and 8x32 whenever I open the safe.
The 8x32 go hunting, the 10x42 go to the range.

Same question as I have for Bri0242; do the smaller 8x32 give anything up to the 10x42 in low light conditions?
Also, let's say I'm trying to check out a whitetail at 600 yards in the bright daylight... do you think the 10x42 is going to let me see details that I'd miss with the 8x32's?

 

[myronman3]

Same question as I have for Bri0242; do the smaller 8x32 give anything up to the 10x42 in low light conditions?
Also, let's say I'm trying to check out a whitetail at 600 yards in the bright daylight... do you think the 10x42 is going to let me see details that I'd miss with the 8x32's?

no and no. the 8x32 and the 10x42 swaro el’s are about equal. i had brand new pairs side by side and checked them everyday for 2 weeks next to each other. daylight, dusk, even at night. the 8’s did everything the 10’s did and weighed less doing it. i sold the 10’s.

 

[Mike Casselton]

^^^^^ exactly.

The 10x is harder to hold still and honestly, they need to be put on a tripod or some other means to stabilize them. The 8x don't need it, but it makes them even better.

I've never felt handicapped with the 8x. Ever.

 

[Bowhntr4life]

Swaro CL 10x30 $900

 

[myronman3]

^^^^^ exactly.

The 10x is harder to hold still and honestly, they need to be put on a tripod or some other means to stabilize them. The 8x don't need it, but it makes them even better.

I've never felt handicapped with the 8x. Ever.

My experiences reflect your’s to a T

 

[Bri0242]

Another good data point on comparison between CL and SLC image quality. Did you find that the 30mm was not as good as the 42mm in low light conditions?

You will lose a little light, but the cost & weight savings are huge. If I could afford the 8x32 EL , then I would get them
i didn’t compare the 8x30 CL & 8x32 EL side by side....

 

[Glassaholic]

I absolutely love my Maven B.3 8x30's, phenomenal glass for the price and a great company with great customer support right in Wyoming. I compared these to Zeiss RF 10x42 I bought last year, the Maven held up very well, they had slightly more CA but not bad, resolution was superb on both, Zeiss had a slight edge in edge to edge sharpness and in low light testing the Maven's stood strong until the last moments of light, yes, the Zeiss was better in just about every category but I expected it to be; however, the Maven surprised me with how good it held up.