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Post by bobcat on Mar 14, 2021 19:39:29 GMT -8
Yes, they are heavy. I built a little widget to attach them to a tripod, which works well.
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balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,064 
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Post by balzaccom on Mar 14, 2021 19:43:30 GMT -8
OK--since this thread has been revived. You want weight? I have a pair of 12x80's that I use for stargazing. They weigh a ton, but man, what a view!
Meanwhile, if I take anything hiking (and I usually don't these days) it's a pair of Nikon 8X25...which are tiny and relatively light.
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Post by tomqvaxy on Mar 15, 2021 17:10:12 GMT -8
a pair of 12x80's that I use for stargazing. They weigh a ton, but man okay; that does it. i'm getting some 14x90s. i got to check on amazon now. |
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Post by trinity on May 6, 2021 10:40:05 GMT -8
Okay, I took one for the team.  After my most recent backpacking trip carrying my full size binoculars, I decided to take the plunge, and get some compacts. I am a lifelong birder, so spending some extra money for high quality optics was worth it for me. With that in mind, I quickly narrowed the field down to the Leica Ultravid BR 8x20, Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25, and Swarovski Pocket CL 8x25. I really wanted to try them all side by side, so I ordered all three from Redstart Birding, with the understanding that I would be using their 30 day return policy to return 2 of the 3 binoculars. Here are a few thoughts after comparing the 3. These are, for the most part, highly subjective opinions, so take all of this with a grain of salt. Price was not a major factor for me, with all 3 being around $800ish. Not cheap, but a lot less expensive than full sized premium binoculars. I very quickly eliminated the Leicas. The field of view is slightly smaller, the light transmission lower, and the image less sharp. As bradmacmt has pointed out, they also have less eye relief than others, which makes a difference to an eyeglass wearer like me. Also, I didn't care for the ergonomics of the Leicas. They were a little too small, and the focus wheel is very stiff. So I spent most of my time comparing the Zeiss and Swarovski. Optically, these two were just about even. I've seen reviews that claim one as being better than the other, but these are both top of the line. To me, the light transmission seemed slightly better with the Zeiss, and the colors a little truer. The Swarovski image is a little flatter, which actually (to me) seems to make birds pop out against their background a little better. Overall, I'd probably give a very slight edge to the Zeiss. Ergonomically, I preferred the Zeiss. I like the one-hinge asymmetrical design, they just fit my hands well. I also preferred the Zeiss focus wheel, the Swarovski was a little too loose, and has a little bit of play. In terms of build, the Swarovskis felt a little more solid. The eyecups are metal rather than plastic. This more solid build accounts for them being a bit heavier, but I consider the weight difference negligible. Aesthetics is something I considered as well. Though I will always preference function over form, birding is an aesthetic pursuit, and finding that great combination of form and function is a real joy. In this regard, I consider the Swarovskis to be the clear winner. If you read reviews of Swarovski binoculars, a word you will frequently come across is "elegant". Their binoculars are well-deserving of this epithet. Accessories--both binoculars have bulky carrying cases that are not terribly practical. The Swarovskis come with a rain-guard for the lenses, the Zeiss do not. This actually is a big deal for me, as I have always found this to be an essential item. In the end, I decided on the Swarovskis, though it was a difficult choice, I really loved the Zeiss. It really does come down to personal preference, and you will not be disappointed with either binocular. If your overriding consideration is size and/or weight, then the Leicas might well be a good choice for you. It all comes down to balancing the various factors and determining which will best suit your own specific needs. Below if a photo of the 3 binoculars, along with my full size 8.5x42 binoculars that I use for everyday birding. From left to right, Leica Ultravid, Swarovski Pocket, Zeiss Victory, Swarovski 8.5x42 EL.  |
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jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,032 
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Post by jazzmom on May 6, 2021 12:02:36 GMT -8
Okay, I took one for the team. A selfless act, I'm sure.  |
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Post by trinity on May 6, 2021 12:23:11 GMT -8
A selfless act, I'm sure. I am glad that someone around here recognizes my pure and selfless motives.  |
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,659
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Post by driftwoody on May 6, 2021 15:11:42 GMT -8
A selfless act, I'm sure. I am glad that someone around here recognizes my pure and selfless motives. You also deserve recognition for disposable income, dropping $800 when you already have a great (though heavier) binocular. I think you should also post this in the "What's the most you've ever paid to lose a pound" thread. |
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Post by bradmacmt on May 6, 2021 16:39:57 GMT -8
Trinity, I'm glad you made your choice, and I can't fathom there's a "bad" choice among the three... glass at this level is truly an exercise in "grading diamonds."
Congrats!
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Post by trinity on May 7, 2021 6:24:02 GMT -8
You also deserve recognition for disposable income, dropping $800 when you already have a great (though heavier) binocular. I think you should also post this in the "What's the most you've ever paid to lose a pound" thread. That's the thing. My full-size binoculars are about as good as binoculars get, but they really are almost exactly a pound more than the compacts, pulling straight down on my neck. I have been finding them more and more difficult to carry on backpacking trips, so I consider this money very well spent. |
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bcpete
Trail Wise!
There's cool, and then there's me.
Posts: 482
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Post by bcpete on May 7, 2021 7:36:22 GMT -8
I'm a little late to this thread, but I pack these along on every single dayhike or backpack trip. Totally worth it when you spot (or want to spot) something cool. I pack these in the top lid pocket of my backpack for quick access.  Canon 14 x 32 IS binoculars Weight 27.3 oz. / 775g (excluding batteries)  Yep! Dimensions 5.6 x 6.7 x 3.0 in. / 142 x 171 x 77mm Magnification 14x Closest Focusing Distance 6.6 ft. / 2.0m Image Stabilizer Available (with Powered IS) Power Source 2x AA batteries |
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 6, 2022 7:46:46 GMT -8
I haven't read all of this thread but a lot of it and it has some great information. However, I'm wondering if anyone has experience with monocular/s? On my last fall hike I found myself a couple of times wishing I had some kind binocular/monocular. At the moment I'm looking at the Vortex Solo 10x25 I can spend a little more than this but big reason why I find these attractive is their weight at 5.6oz. But never having used a monocular I'm wondering if I'd be wasting my time and money? |
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Post by bradmacmt on Jan 6, 2022 7:49:21 GMT -8
Do yourself a favor and stay away from 10X with as small an objective as 25mm... 8X would be the absolute max I'd want with that size.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 6, 2022 8:00:49 GMT -8
They have the same ones at 8x36 or 10x36 but jump to 9.7oz. I'm also wondering at this price range (entry level) if I'd do just as good at buying a cheap pair of chinese knock-offs on amazon.
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walkswithblackflies
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Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,801
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Jan 6, 2022 8:25:53 GMT -8
At 11:05, I was going to post: I've been missing my compact binoculars for a couple of years. Over that time, I've looked and looked to no avail. They're not great or anything, but I missed them and didn't want to spend money on new ones. I used them for bird/wildlife viewing in my backyard, and for hunting. 11:07: <Pauses. Talking to myself "Wait... hunting? No, it couldn't be. I'm not THAT stupid. Hmmmm, yes I am. I better go check."> 11:12: <Puts on boots and jacket, walks over to my abandoned/damaged hunting stand on neighbors property> 11:17: <Finds binoculars hanging from arm of chair. Except for belt loop being totally stretched-out, case still looks brand new. Binoculars are totally fine.> 11:25: WOO HOO!!! |
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Post by bradmacmt on Jan 6, 2022 11:40:34 GMT -8
They have the same ones at 8x36 or 10x36 but jump to 9.7oz. I'm also wondering at this price range (entry level) if I'd do just as good at buying a cheap pair of chinese knock-offs on amazon. I'm not especially a Vortex fan, but they do have an 8x25 model... I'd absolutely go with it before a 10x25:
$50 at REI:
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Image Credit / Coolkat
After my most recent backpacking trip carrying my full size binoculars, I decided to take the plunge, and get some compacts. I am a lifelong birder, so spending some extra money for high quality optics was worth it for me. With that in mind, I quickly narrowed the field down to the Leica Ultravid BR 8x20, Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25, and Swarovski Pocket CL 8x25. I really wanted to try them all side by side, so I ordered all three from Redstart Birding, with the understanding that I would be using their 30 day return policy to return 2 of the 3 binoculars. Here are a few thoughts after comparing the 3. These are, for the most part, highly subjective opinions, so take all of this with a grain of salt.
Yep!
