Good compact binoculars?

[kchunks]

Anyone up on their binoculars? I am appalled at how much sales folk at the local stores are not up on their binoculars. I am also upset that when I have emailed some big e/retailers that they never answer my question. Here it is. Is a porro prism design better than a roof prism design as it has fewer pieces and not as complicated? Or, does everyone love roof prism so much that there is more effort put into those and there is really no difference between two sets of binoculars that cost the same but one is porro and the other is roof?

 

I am trying to get a decent pair of waterproof compact binoculars for putting in a pack or using while in a canoe (under $200). I really want to get my hands on some to try but that is proving difficult.

[+rovers3]

From what I have read over the years, the roof prism models have fewer moving parts so less to go wrong and are easier to dust and waterproof.

That being said, I have owned a pair of Pentax Papilio 6.5 X 21 since they came on the market several years ago and am extremely happy with them esp the close focus. see the following site

 

http://www.pentaxcanada.ca/sportoptics/bin...pilio/index.php

 

On sale at the following site for $129.00 or $149.00 for the 8.5 X 21 model, search around for best price

 

http://store.birdwatching.net/store/Catego...culars%3APentax

 

You might want to also look at the following site for more information on binoculars , I've linked to an article about porro prism binoculars but look around.

 

http://www.thebinocularsite.com/consumer/p...binoculars.html

 

Hope this helps

[kchunks]

Thanks Rovers. I have seen those pages and actually read up on your binoculars which seem nice. Unfortunately, they don't meet the waterproof criterion. FWIW- porro prisms should not have any more moving parts (to the best of my knowledge). Two different scope tubes that move to change interpupillary distance but with relatively fixed optics inside. I will just keep looking.

[snatiep]

Hi Kchunks!

 

I have a couple of different pairs of Leupold binoculars. All waterproof and carry a full lifetime warranty. If they break, mail them back to Leupold and they will fix them or mail you back a new pair. (Don't ask me why I know they are great with their warranty work!)

 

This pair would be great for you:

 

http://leupold.com/observation/products/bi...osemite-6x30mm/

 

I bought a pair of these on amazon for $80! A beautiful pair of compact binoculars! An awesome value!

 

I also have a pair of these:

 

http://leupold.com/observation/products/bi.../katmai-6x32mm/

 

They are in the $300 range, but an incredible pair of binoculars! They will last a lifetime!

 

I have a couple more different models of Leupolds and I recommend you take a look at them on their website. I'm a very happy Leupold customer!

[+GrnXnham]

I just purchased these binoculars based on reviews I saw on the internet. I like them. They weigh one pound and are waterproof. They also meet your requirement of being under $200. Eye relief is good and they have twist in eye-cups so they are good for people who wear glasses. And the focus knob is really large making it easy to turn while wearing gloves.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Redfield-67610-Rebel...r/dp/B0033C74R4

 

You said you wanted "compact" binoculars. Depends on your definition of compact. I'm not a huge fan of the tiny 21mm binoculars. They weigh less but I have found it difficult to find a quality binocular at that size. Also, sometimes the really light weight binoculars feel a bit flimsy.

 

I prefer roof prism binoculars for hiking because they tend to take up less space in the backpack.

Edited September 8, 2010 by GrnXnham

[+Karoshi59]

 

I am trying to get a decent pair of waterproof compact binoculars for putting in a pack or using while in a canoe (under $200). I really want to get my hands on some to try but that is proving difficult.

 

What do you want to use them for? General purpose? Birding? Wildlife observation, etc.? Two bits of advice:

 

Probably the best site I've seen for binoculars or anything related to optics is Steve Ingraham's site, Better View Desired (http://www.betterviewdesired.com/). Ingraham is an independent reviewer of various optics, binos, field scopes. I purchased my Zeiss binos, as well as my Pentax spotting scope, based on his review of them. My Zeiss, at 10 x 40, would be a bit heavy for backpacking -- I use them for birding -- but I've seen a very nice, compact set of Nikon 8 x 30 compact binos which would be perfect for something like what you're looking for. Very bright, waterproof and reasonably lightweight.

 

Once you've found the binos you want, I'd highly recommend purchasing them through one of the camera stores in NYC, particularly B & H Photo or Adorama. Because of the volume that they purchase, they can sell their goods at sometimes hundreds less than anything I've seen out here on the West Coast. I've never had any bad dealings with them, and what they sell is strictly legitimate, not gray market stuff.

 

Hope this helps.

[+FL Cracker2]

I was on the same search a few years ago and decided to go to our local Bass Pro Outlet because they had the widest election. The salesman was quite accommodating and showed me everything in the case. He helped me narrow the selections down to three -- all more than $400. Then he brought out the RedHead, in-store brand and had me compare. I was amazed at the weight difference, the clarity, the ease of adjustment and especially the price. I've had them around six years now. I've dropped them, used them in the rain and have left them the hot car many a day. The only thing showing age is the strap.

 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...p;x=19&y=13

 

Happy hunting

[+FL Cracker2]

I was on the same search several years ago and decided to go to our local Bass Pro Outlet because they had the widest selection. The salesman was quite accommodating and showed me everything in the case. He helped me narrow the selections down to three -- all more than $400. Then he brought out the RedHead, in-store brand and had me compare. I was amazed at the weight difference, the clarity, the ease of adjustment and especially the price. I've had them around six years now. I've dropped them, used them in the rain and have left them the hot car many a day. The only thing showing age is the strap.

 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...p;x=19&y=13

 

Happy hunting

Edited November 5, 2010 by FL Cracker2

[+FL Cracker2]

I was on the same search a few years ago and decided to go to our local Bass Pro Outlet because they had the widest election. The salesman was quite accommodating and showed me everything in the case. He helped me narrow the selections down to three -- all more than $400. Then he brought out the RedHead, in-store brand and had me compare. I was amazed at the weight difference, the clarity, the ease of adjustment and especially the price. I've had them around six years now. I've dropped them, used them in the rain and have left them the hot car many a day. The only thing showing age is the strap.

 

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...p;x=19&y=13

 

Happy hunting

[+Mike & Jess]

I recieved a pair of Steiner 10x26 Predator Pro for Christmas. They are pretty good.

The reviews look pretty good review

Edited December 29, 2010 by Mike & Jess

[+DonB]

Anyone up on their binoculars? I am appalled at how much sales folk at the local stores are not up on their binoculars. I am also upset that when I have emailed some big e/retailers that they never answer my question. Here it is. Is a porro prism design better than a roof prism design as it has fewer pieces and not as complicated? Or, does everyone love roof prism so much that there is more effort put into those and there is really no difference between two sets of binoculars that cost the same but one is porro and the other is roof?

 

I am trying to get a decent pair of waterproof compact binoculars for putting in a pack or using while in a canoe (under $200). I really want to get my hands on some to try but that is proving difficult.

I don't know a whole lot about binoculars, but one thing that always stuck with me. One of Nikon's tech support people told me that if you are going to use them in low light, divide the power into the object lens size and it should come out to 5, this will make sure the binocular will give the maximum light gathering capability the human eye can handle.