Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: 180-GRAIN on April 08, 2015, 06:55:30 AM

Title: Good compact binos?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 08, 2015, 06:55:30 AM: I am looking for opinions on good compact binos out there people have used. Not trying to break the bank but willing to spend 600-700 on a new pair. I'm currently really looking at the vortex viper hd 12-50s anyone used these or have another recommendation? Thanks
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: skinzner on April 08, 2015, 07:20:08 AM: Try cameraland in new york they always have some really good deals in their demo/sample section lots of vortex and minox stuff and really good customer service.

http://www.cameralandny.com/ (http://www.cameralandny.com/)
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 08, 2015, 07:24:01 AM: Thanks I will check that out
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on April 08, 2015, 07:56:51 AM: Happy with my Viper HD 10x42 which were smaller and lighter than the 12x50. After a season tho going to trade up back to the 12 power. Bringin my swaro spotter to help you look for those beats tho!
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 08, 2015, 08:00:17 AM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on April 08, 2015, 07:56:51 AM
Happy with my Viper HD 10x42 which were smaller and lighter than the 12x50. After a season tho going to trade up back to the 12 power. Bringin my swaro spotter to help you look for those beats tho!

The spotter will come in handy over there! :tup:
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: jackelope on April 08, 2015, 08:17:38 AM: 12x50's are not what I would call compact?

Elknut1 seems to have the best prices anywhere on Vortex optics.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: grundy53 on April 08, 2015, 08:22:21 AM: I love my vortex viper 10x42's
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: kentrek on April 08, 2015, 08:34:33 AM: Might check out mavens line up...just another option
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: X-Force on April 08, 2015, 08:52:00 AM: Quote from: jackelope on April 08, 2015, 08:17:38 AM
12x50's are not what I would call compact?
:yeah: :chuckle:

What brand full size are you looking at besides vortex?

I would look at used :twocents:
I picked up Minox HG 10x43 BR off here for less then your price range.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: Bob33 on April 08, 2015, 09:11:05 AM: Quote from: jackelope on April 08, 2015, 08:17:38 AM
12x50's are not what I would call compact?

Elknut1 seems to have the best prices anywhere on Vortex optics.
:yeah:

12x50 is about as far away from compact as one can get. You're talking 30 ounce binos. To me compact is around 10 ounces.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 08, 2015, 10:05:59 AM: Yep after looking 12x50s are bigger then i want. Really looking for smaller compact, less weight but still good spotters. Be using for all hunts but want to cut the weight for backcountry hunting the most.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: bobcat on April 08, 2015, 10:10:28 AM: For compact and still useful, I'd be looking at something like a 8x32.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: jackelope on April 08, 2015, 10:16:38 AM: Quote from: kentrek on April 08, 2015, 08:34:33 AM
Might check out mavens line up...just another option

BrockA did a great writeup on the Mavens on Rokslide. Worth a look for sure.
I saw the 8x pair he was using. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: bobcat on April 08, 2015, 10:19:22 AM: The Leupold Yosemite is a really nice binocular that you may want to consider. Not quite small enough to be classified as "compact," but they're only 17 ounces. I got a couple of them for my daughters in the 6x30 and now I want a pair of my own. I'd borrow one of their's but they're pink. :chuckle:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362115679/leupold-bx-1-yosemite-binocular-30mm-porro-prism-armored?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google&gclid=CMGZx8-a58QCFVGUfgodmroACQ (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362115679/leupold-bx-1-yosemite-binocular-30mm-porro-prism-armored?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google&gclid=CMGZx8-a58QCFVGUfgodmroACQ)
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: andersonjk4 on April 08, 2015, 10:20:49 AM: I picked up a pair of 10x36 Nikon Monarchs (now discontinued) 4-5 years ago and I really like them for what I would consider a "mid-size" binoc. I have owned several true compact binos (i.e. 10x25) and was never happy with the low light performance or their long range glassing capability. For me the 10x36 were a good compromise between performance and size/weight. Two years ago I picked up a pair of 12x42 Nikon Monarchs. I find myself grabbing these over the 10x36's for everything except turkey hunting and brush busting in the thick stuff. :twocents:
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: brocka on April 08, 2015, 10:46:26 AM: I would suggest the Maven B3s.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: X-Force on April 08, 2015, 10:56:42 AM: If your looking at the 8x30-33 size binoculars there is a lot of bang for your buck. You can find used swarovski in that price range and new Zeiss, Minox, Nikon, etc.. where in a 10x42 the same glass would be double or more. :twocents:
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: swift on April 26, 2015, 03:59:55 PM: I run a pair of Swarovski 10x25's for bow hunting and 10x42EL's for everything else
And find myself grabbing the 10x25's more and more 😉 their still 10x and other than
The first and last 10 minutes of light just dam near as clear!!
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: magnumb on April 27, 2015, 11:59:39 AM: Quote from: bobcat on April 08, 2015, 10:10:28 AM
For compact and still useful, I'd be looking at something like a 8x32.

:yeah:.....the perfect combination of power and size in a compact bino.

Compact means just that.....compact. Compact bino's never leave you wishing that you'd gone smaller. The opposite can be true at times, but that's the choice we make that day or well before we go afield. As many can't or don't want to afford bino's for all ranges and/or circumstances, a mid-sized bino can be the best choice.

If disabled or merely unwilling or unable to pack around a bino weighing only a few ounces more is a deal breaker, then gettin' an animal down and out may pose it's own problems.

My thinking..........if I can't see them or see them clearly enough to determine if it fits my standards to harvest, I certainly can't shoot him.

I get that mere ounces on a true high hunt, one that entails much more physical stamina and preparation in the 'what do I absolutely need to pack' department, these folks truly need to consider overall weight in terms of ounces. If this is your concern, go as light and as 'compact' as possible. But I'd guess it's not and isn't for some 99% of all hunters.

That said.......a few less beer's and Big Mac's prior to the season would allow many of us to easily pack the Hubble Scope around if we so desired....... ;)

Choices......nice to have so many. Good luck!
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: Bob33 on April 27, 2015, 12:06:16 PM: If you're really trying to shave weight and don't mind losing some light gathering ability, here's something to consider. They weigh 8 ounces, and because of the high quality glass they will do pretty well except in very dim light.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/site.pl?page=40342
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: xXLojackXx on April 30, 2015, 08:20:54 AM: Save even more money over the Viper HDs and get the Zeiss Terra ED 10x42. I have both and the Zeiss EDs are what I use.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 30, 2015, 08:51:22 AM: Quote from: swift on April 26, 2015, 03:59:55 PM
I run a pair of Swarovski 10x25's for bow hunting and 10x42EL's for everything else
And find myself grabbing the 10x25's more and more 😉 their still 10x and other than
The first and last 10 minutes of light just dam near as clear!!

:yeah: Love my Swaro 10x25's...super clear glass. And a dream to carry. They actually spot better than a lot of full size binos Ive used.
Title: Re: Good compact binos?
Post by: fillthefreezer on April 30, 2015, 08:56:05 AM: i would check out the meopta/cabelas euro 8x32s. i have been very impressed with them, side by side with zeiss conquest, leupold mojave they flat perform.