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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ratatat on September 18, 2009, 11:40:00 AM

Title: Small bino decision??
Post by: Ratatat on September 18, 2009, 11:40:00 AM
I have narrowed it down to three:  Vortex Fury 8x28, Steiner 8x22 Predator Pro, or Pentax DCF LV 9x28.  Any oppinions/advice welcome and appriciated.
Thanks
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: swampwalker on September 18, 2009, 12:56:00 PM
It's not on your list, but I'd be remiss in not pointing out the Eagle Optics 6x30. I have no vested interest. They are truly terrific and in the same price range.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Irish Archer on September 18, 2009, 01:20:00 PM
I don't know the price range of your choices above, but for about $275.00 Bushnell makes a pair called the Elite Custom Compacts 7x26. They are very, very nice and clear. Great quality. Cabelas will special order them for you at no additional charge. Check them out.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: magnus on September 18, 2009, 02:10:00 PM
I like my burris 8x32 around $125.00 can get combo bino and scope for around $220.00
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Orion on September 18, 2009, 02:55:00 PM
I've had a pair of Bushnell Custom Compacts for more than 20 years.  A great glass for the money.  Mine are the 7x26, but they also used to make a 6x26, perhaps they still do.  If you're going to use them primarily in pennsylvania hardwoods, I'd recommend a 6 or 7 power, regardless of the brand.  I also have a pair of 8 power binos, but like the lower power better for the woods.  I find the 8s better for western hunting.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Jim Wright on September 18, 2009, 06:47:00 PM
Following some research, I got a pair of Leupold 6x30 Yosimetes. They are as good optically as all the reviews say, work great w/eyeglasses and are more than a bargain at $80 to $100 purchased on line.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: bretto on September 18, 2009, 07:09:00 PM
I have a set of Leupold compacts 8X22 that I really like. 95.00 at Bass Pro a year ago. My buddy has a pair of Stieners Don't know what magnification but they are really clear and have better low light view than Mine. But they are heavier.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: nel on September 18, 2009, 09:25:00 PM
I have Vortex binos.

It's hard to imagine a better pair of binoculars or ANY guarantee in the ballpark for that kind of price.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: flatlander37 on September 18, 2009, 10:55:00 PM
I have a pair of Nikon 10x36 that were reasonably priced, and I wouldn't hunt without them!
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on September 19, 2009, 12:45:00 AM
Leupold 8 X 32 wind river model.  They are totall awesome and have great low light prformance.  About $125 for the pair.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: oddan on September 19, 2009, 12:55:00 AM
I like a 8*42. The bigger the lens the more light it gathers. Very personal choice. Good Luck.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: JEFF B on September 19, 2009, 01:27:00 AM
for me 10x50 big but hey they work
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Ratatat on September 19, 2009, 10:00:00 AM
Hey thanks guys,  there are so many choices.  Now yinz got me looking at the Leuopold Yosemite 6x30.  It's thick where I hunt.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Walt Francis on September 19, 2009, 10:12:00 AM
In that price range you can't go any of those you suggested.  I have a set of 10x25 Steiner’s that are nice but don't come close to my 10x25 Leica’s when comparing clarity.  Of the 3 mentioned I would go with the Vortex because of the larger objective lenses and warranty.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: MikeBurns on September 19, 2009, 10:14:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Ratatat:
Hey thanks guys,  there are so many choices.  Now yinz got me looking at the Leuopold Yosemite 6x30.  It's thick where I hunt.
I have a pair of those and love'em for bowhunting. For glassing big open areas, they aren't the ticket. In the woods they are great for the $.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: portugeejn on September 19, 2009, 10:34:00 AM
You would do well to look at the Yosemite 6x30.  I have used mine for over a year now, and they are great in the dark thick of things.  And you can't beat the price.  If I need more magnification, I bring a spotting scope.

RonP
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: foxbo on September 19, 2009, 03:35:00 PM
I agree with Swampwalker. The Eagle Optics 6x30 is a fantastic woods bino and is backed by an excellent warranty. Check out the Eagle Optics site before you make your mind up. They carry most of the major brands.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Junglecat on September 19, 2009, 04:37:00 PM
I purchased a pair of the Eagle Optics Platinum  Rangers a year or so back (6x32's).Great lil binoculars.A couple of weeks ago I lost one of the lens covers.Came home,looked at their website and called to order another pair of the lens covers.They were gonna cost $7 on sale for the pair but the lady I talked to said they would get a cover out to me at no charge.Arrived home today and inside a brown shipping envelope were 2 lens covers free of charge in my mail box.I will definitely check back with them next time I need something in the binocular category.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Bjorn on September 19, 2009, 04:42:00 PM
Leopold Katmai 6x30 has served me real well.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Mojostick on September 19, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
Bjorn,
It's 6x32 on the Katmai's. ;)  
I have the exact same as you, the 6x32 Katmai's and would suggest to anyone for typical eastern whitetail hunting.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Gary Sewell on September 19, 2009, 07:48:00 PM
Bushnell Elite Custom Compacts: I had a pair in the 70's 6x25, used them for years until I dropped them on concrete. Got a pair of Steiner 6x30, loved them for years. My son got a set of the elites. I used them once, sold my $400.00 steniers and bought the elites. My son found them online for 211.00.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Mr.Magoo on September 19, 2009, 08:54:00 PM
I've heard good things about the Eagle Optics binos.  I have a set of Nikon Monarchs (8x42) and a set of compact Minolta (8x22).  The compacts are easy to carry, but once the light starts to dim, they're pretty useless.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: AkDan on September 20, 2009, 01:39:00 AM
I looked through a pair of compact leica's and man alive they are awesome!  It'll be my next and last set of binos.  I'm currently running a pair of swaro 8x30 slc.  They are nice but a bit bulky for a compact consideration.  

I have some steiner predators, definatly not the pair I thought they were when I ordered, oops.  They are a nice glass however the eye pieces broke almost immediatly.  They were replaced with a refurbished pair almost immediatly.  Have never used them since after purchasing my swaro's.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: JSimon on September 20, 2009, 10:16:00 PM
I really like my Leopold Yosemite 6x30's as well Can't beat the price.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Tom Leemans on September 21, 2009, 10:19:00 AM
I'll second Eagle Optics
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Talondale on September 21, 2009, 10:38:00 AM
Trust me, if you want low level visibility (like when the bucks are normally moving) you want something where the first number divided into the second number is = or >4.  On all those you listed they will do great in full light but low light, when I need mine most, they are likely to be worse then your naked eye.  I'm getting a second set of bino's this year for that very reason.  6x30 is a 5 (30/6=5) and that's much better in terms of delivering light to your eyes.  There are other factors that affect this as well but as a general rule it works.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: Ratatat on September 23, 2009, 04:13:00 PM
Well thanks for all the advice/input guys!!  I tried a pair of the 8x22 steiner predators and realized that I needed a bino with better low light capability.  I ordered a pair of vortex raptor 6.5x32, so we'll see.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Small bino decision??
Post by: toddster on September 25, 2009, 05:35:00 AM
I went through this few years back.  I bought a pair of Nikon, then 3 months later, seen Vortex and was blown away, so good and smaller had to buy it, for 100??  and lifetime warranty well worth it to me. love them