I'm looking at asking for a really nice, high end pair of binoculars for my one yearly unnecessary treat this year.
I currently own 8x30 Leupold Yosemite binoculars and to be honest, they are really all I need. They are bright, clear, and sharp enough for positive identification of all critters through dark-thirty, which is all I have to have for Arkansas laws. I hunt primarily in hardwoods bottom lands. I'd say 90% of the time my maximum field of vision is 100-120 yards tops, unless I happen to be next to a road, pipeline, or power line. I have poor vision and use my binoculars a lot for spotting as light gets low. When deer hunting, I also use them to check for horns and count points on deer to make sure they are legal. When small game hunting I use them to locate squirrels and rabbits and to differentiate them from birds - my vision isn't all that great. I put in for an elk permit every year, but never get one because only 25 permits are drawn here in Arkansas. Should I ever get one, I'll be hunting in the mountains and may need to clearly see an elk at a few hundred yards. When I hunt, most of the time it's parking my truck and walking in for a days time with everything I need and want in a fanny pack. Occasionally I go backpacking with my bow. When I do that, I hike in for a day or two and set up base camp, then hunt within a mile tops from base camp. I also usually take my binoculars with me when hiking/camping just to generally observe wildlife. Whatever pair I get, I want it to make my setup more versatile.
The two pairs of binoculars that are catching my eye the now discontinued Leupold Gold Ring 7/12 x 32 Switch Power and the Swarovski 8x20 Pocket Binoculars. Below are my thoughts on both.
The Leupold 7/12's would give me the nice wide FOV at 7x that's needed for the thick woods in my area. They have the option of switching up to 12x for close up inspecting of points. When hiking/camping the 12x would be a nicely appreciated boost in power for viewing wildlife. These are about as large and heavy as I'd want to carry hunting or hiking but that weight would also be much appreciated to stabilize the image when hunting and hiking. Add to this Leupold's warranty and the fact that they are US made and you have a very nice set of glass.
The Swarovski 8x20 Pockets would give me a nice, usable magnification in an ultralight, ultra-small package. The smaller size and weight would be much nicer for hunting and hiking, but I'd be concerned that the smaller objective lenses might not gather enough light at dark-thirty and I'd be worried about the image being really unstable due to the super light weight.
Between these two, which would you choose?
I have the 10/17 switch power Leupold, I carnt complain about them. I LOVE there warranty!!!
I hear good things about both but have no personal experience. With that being said I adore my little 8x20 Leitz and imagine the swaro are more of a good thing.
Even in the alpha class glass (Swaro, Zeiss, Leica) the pocket binos (8x20) have very limited use for my old eyes. And definitely not hunting at dawn or dusk. I do own a pair of Zeiss 8x20.
So considering your two choices, I guess I would go with the Leopold switch power. My concern would be a small exit pupil of 12x32.
I think you would be better served with some nice 10x42 to go with your Yosemites. Maybe some Gold Ring 10x42's and you're still made in America
Hi, I have the Swaro 8x20 and like them fine. However I love the older 8x30EL. My choice would be to find an older 8x30EL and don't look back...Tom.
For hunting binoculars low light performance is a key feature for me, not just at the end of daylight but when there is plenty of light left but you are trying to see into deep shadows. After several pairs of modestly priced binoculars I finally ponied up for a set of Swarovski 8.5X42 ELs. Not cheap but I haven't regretted it once. Absolutely incredible performance in any light, but they really shine when I used to put my old binos away from lack of light. Probably heavier than the two models you listed but they handle very well.
That probably didn't help you and as much as I like every Swarovski bino I've looked at (not the 8x20) I'd say buy which ever one will be the most useable in low light.
I wish I could get my hands on both to play with in the woods for about an hour using the last 30 min of daylight and the first 30 min of dark. That would be just the test I needed.
As far as I'm concerned, the best bang for your Bino buck today are Vortex. I just picked up a pair of 8x28 Vipers that are as good a glass as my 18 year old Swarovski 7x42 - true, the field of view isn't as wide but they only weigh 11oz. vs 25oz of the Swarovski. Unconditional life of the Bino warrantee.
For thick woods, go with a bigger objective. I agree with Pete on this one. Save you a lot of money and look at the Vortex Diamondback 8X32s or 10X42s, but I don't think you need more magnification. I promise you it is all you need and they come with a lifetime no fault gaurantee
I have a pair of 8x30 Swaros that are 23 years old. They are the best. Not too heavy, much better light gathering and field of view than a compact. I carry these on every hunt, including out west where some would say use a larger 10x 42 or 50. If I want to sit and glass another mountain, I would do that but for where I hunt the 8x30 shine. In the whitetail woods they are indispensable
Thanks to all who have replied. If anyone else would like to join in on the discussion, please do so. I've been reading lots of reviews lately. Honestly, I think both can offer me something very different and beneficial to me. Ideally I could have both but reality rarely equates into ideal scenarios. I have to compromise somewhere.
If I were in the market for binos I would buy a pair of the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32s. I have read a lot of reviews from the birders and they can't believe how good they are for $180. Google them and check it out.
Although I've not laid hands on either model, I would be concerned about the light gathering capability of any brand of glass at 12x32. Not sure where you are thinking of buying from, but Eagle Optics has a 30 day return policy if you're not satisfied.
Of the two, I would have to go with Swaro's.
Currently I have 10X42 Leica, 8x20 zeiss, and Leupold Yosemite. I use the Zeiss far more than the other two. For my hunting, weight/bulk seems to be a major issue. If I did not have to carry them too far and I was looking at some longer ranges it would be the Leica. 7-12 seems kind of a gimmick, but I have to admit I have never had the opportunity to use them.
I realize a lot of people would pick the Yosemite, but that has been my experience.