Compact binos for still hunting

[Eric Bailey]

I am a very busy father without much optics experience or time to try new binos and spotters. I am going to be backpack hunting elk and mule deer primarily with a muzzleloader but sometimes a rifle in Colorado. I won't be using optics for field judging, just to see animals. Mostly while still hunting during daylight in the timber but also for scouting more open areas in the early morning and late evening to see where animals are bedding and feeding.

I have a pair of 10X42 Bushnell Legend Ultra HD binocs I bought last year. These got a lot of good online reviews on other sites. But I don't really like them for the way I hunt. They are a bit bulky and unless I'm sitting down, I have a hard time steadying the image. I also would prefer like a wider field of view.

I have a 12 year old lower end Nikon 65mm spotter with a 20x fixed eyepiece. I like it because it is lightweight even for a 65mm scope and pretty bright. However, I only carry it on scouting trips. I don't like to carry a tripod and spotter while backpack hunting. So it gets used on one trip per year.

I am thinking the best use of my limited funds (two kids in daycare) would be to get some 8X32 binos. But having little optics experience, I am not sure how much I should spend and how much difference there is as price increases. I am looking at Vortex Diamondbacks ($159 for a demo pair), Vortex Viper HD ($469 for a demo pair) or Zeiss Conquest HD ($675 for a demo pair).

However, I am also lusting after a new spotter. I'd like to get my kids into birdwatching and that is one way I'm justifying a Vortex Razor HD 50mm ($600 for a demo model).

What would you do? I'm leaning toward either the cheap diamondback binos or the Zeiss binos and hoping that my wife won't find out how much I spent...

Oh, and if anyone has a good pair of 8X32 binos you want to sell, PM me.

 

[chasingbulls]

i absolutely love vortex optics, i just bought the razor hd 10x42 and couldnt be happier, before those i had the viper hd 15x50 and 10x42, of which i sold to upgrade to the razors (great move) i have the nikon ed50mm spotting scope which i highly recommend due to it being the slightest compact spotter because i am a backpack hunter weight really matters...What i think you should look into since your trying to save money is the Zen Ray ED3 binos, my buddy has a pair and i cant believe how clear they are!! even more so than the Vipers. you can get an open box pair from cameralandny.com for $339 and an additional 10% since your part of the forum. its a great deal, my wife will be getting a pair this hunting season

 

[Eric Bailey]

Zen Ray does look like a good value. But I don't see ED3's in a compact size. I think the smallest objective lens is 43 mm and weighs 27 oz.

Glad to hear you like the vortex. I'd buy a razor hd if they made them in 32mm size. But again, only 42mm and larger objectives.

 

[Eric Bailey]

Anybody using the Monarch 7's with 30mm objective lenses? 15.3 oz is crazy light.

 

[Huntinguy0120]

Vortex Diamondbacks in 8x42 ($219 online) would give you lots of light, but at 25oz i don't know if you'll cut out the bulk that you're experiencing with your bushnells. However, Vortex glass is pretty tough to beat for the price.

Just another recommendation for you. Check out the Steiner Predator Pro 10x26 binoculars. If we are speaking about "Compact" I would classify these in the "SUB-compact" size range. They sell anywhere in the $120-$130 range brand new. They are extremely light, 12.8 oz or so, are easy to look through and are quite comfortable for a little pair of glasses.

I have a large pair of Nikon Monarch 16x56 that are an absolute toad to carry around at 44oz. I too wanted a compact pair of binoculars that I could maneuver around with ease, carry in my vest while turkey hunting, and carry as a back up. They also make an 8x30 for a little less that my brother has and when you look through each of them, we both agree that the extra 2x surpasses the higher mm objective of the lense.

In low light conditions, they dont compare to the 42mm or 50mm options out there, but in this size and price range I was/am more than satisfied with the quality and would buy again for the price/power ratio alone.

As far as the Nikon glass goes, I am extremely satisfied with the quality of their glass in my bigger binoc's and also a Monarch 7 scope I have. Both do well in low light and/or high glare environments. Their return policy is getting much better too ($15 dollar 'deductible' + shipping even if it's your fault)

 

[ando_31]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the smaller the bino, the more difficult it is to keep it steady. What order of importance would you put the attributes you spoke about in?

As for your spotter, if it must be a 50mm you could look at the vortex, nikon, minox, bushnel, and leupold (probably a few others I can't think of at the moment). The prices and quality will vary quite a bit and I'm sure between those brands there is something that will meet the criteria you require.

 

[chasingbulls]

best compact binos ive seen are the Zen Ray ZRS...again ive had the Viper HD and they are very clear but my brother in law has the ZRS, and they are up there right along with them.... check them out... (very compact, 22 oz, be careful with your small objective your looking for, if you go to small your losing light and field of view)

 

[jlmoeller]

Take a look at this if you haven't made a decision yet:

http://swfa.com/Vortex-Closeouts-C10912.aspx

Jason Moeller

 

[Eric Bailey]

I appreciate that, Jason. I like the looks, specs and price of the Talon HD a lot.

I ended up ordering a pair of the Monarch 7 8X30s because they are crazy light and compact. Like a toy at under one pound. Going to give them a try first. I'll let you know what I think.

 

[mcseal2]

I haven't had the chance to look through the 50mm Razor spotter yet. I have the Nikon ED50 and have loved it for several seasons. The little spotter has been excellent for me. I'd also consider the Zeiss Dialyst and Vortex Razor 65mm if I was looking for another smaller scope for decent money. The Swaro or Leica 65mm would be at the top of my list but cost much more. The Nikon will be the lightest and probably cheapest if you buy used.

 

[jlmoeller]

No problem Eric. I thought that was a pretty good and worth sharing. Let me know what you think of the new bino's.
Jason