Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: dasbear on February 01, 2009, 12:27:33 PM

Title: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: dasbear on February 01, 2009, 12:27:33 PM: Ok guys I am now looking for a new pair of compact binoc's in 10X25 to replace my nikon 7x20 (7.0oz) and have come up with a couple candidates so far. What are your opinions/experience?
Stats:
nikon 7x20 7oz not waterproof, very compact

nikon prostaff ATB 10x25, 12.8oz, waterproof, small/bulky, 159.99
nikon travelite V, 10x25, 8.8oz, not waterproof, small/bulky, 119.99
leupold wind river mesa, 10x23, 16.5oz, waterproof, small, 129.99
steiner safari pro, 10x26, 9.7oz, waterproof, (compact *dual pivot ) 149.00 w/ free shipping. *dont care for but must consider. looked at 10x26 predators at sportsmans werhse. and wasn't impressed NKN ATB's were absolutly crisp.
All of these are at cabela's where I have a 100. gift card and would like to limit budget to less than 200.
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: bobcat on February 01, 2009, 12:31:42 PM: What are they going to be used for?
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: wrangler on February 01, 2009, 12:35:37 PM: i have the nikon travelite V's in an 8x and they're great. super clear and light. only thing i dislike about em is lowlight conditions. they don't collect as much light as i would like. my leupold vx-3 at 8x is 10 times brighter, but thats also a $400 scope. in 120 price range they're the best out there imo.
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: dasbear on February 01, 2009, 12:43:23 PM: These are going to be used for back country backpack hunting trips and would really like for them to fit in my shirt pocket with pack on and T/C encore hanging from breast strap.
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: bobcat on February 01, 2009, 01:18:02 PM: I've read good things about this one:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/leupold/leupold-yosemite-6x30-porro-prism-binocular-red

And I think this one would be a good choice as well:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-vanquish-8x26-binocular
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: Steve C on February 01, 2009, 03:00:19 PM: The best optics and in my opinion the single best compact binocular is the Bushnell Custom Elite 7x26. Cranking up magnification in absurdly small exit pupil sizes is usually not a good idea. With most small glass, the further you need to look the worse they get. Higher magnification simply magnifies the imperfections built into a small cheap system. I have the Baush & Lomb Custom 7x26, from the last days before the Bushnell name went on all the sports optics. I can just about guarantee you that if I handed mine to you you would not guess the magnification is 7x. The only thing that is a downside to them is they are a little too big for true pocket carry and a bit too small for comfortable glassing.

Some sort of 30-36mm glass will suit you far better. Use a harness and you won't know they are the are there. Vortex has a new Diamondback in 7x and 9x36 for less than $200 street price. The Yosemite has also been suggested, they are outstanding. :twocents:

Steve
Title: Re: Compact binoculars Nikon or Steiner? for < $200
Post by: thinkingman on February 02, 2009, 10:04:26 AM: I have experience withall of those exc Steiner...for some reason, never been impressed with them...not saying they're not good....
Nikon ATB's are very good in that range, although I'd buy the 8X.