I think many of us have been pleasantly surprised as of late at the current crop of top 10x25 roofs. Is the lens and coating technology getting to the point where we may actually have true pocketable birding bins? What would really seal the deal would be a comparable field of view and closer focus than they currently sport.
I've already had good experiences birding with 7x21 and 7x26 binoculars, I was already set to move onto 8x20s when I could spare the money for what most consider secondary binoculars. I tried a 10x25 next to the 8x20 and found them pleasant to hold. I have not had opportunity to compare a 10x25 directly to an 8x32, but considering my 7x26 were as adequate or less so by only a smidge, I would love to put a top 10x25 against its sibling 8x32 for afew days.
[QUOTE=Robert Ellis]I think many of us have been pleasantly surprised as of late at the current crop of top 10x25 roofs. Is the lens and coating technology getting to the point where we may actually have true pocketable birding bins? What would really seal the deal would be a comparable field of view and closer focus than they currently sport.
I've already had good experiences birding with 7x21 and 7x26 binoculars, I was already set to move onto 8x20s when I could spare the money for what most consider secondary binoculars. I tried a 10x25 next to the 8x20 and found them pleasant to hold. I have not had opportunity to compare a 10x25 directly to an 8x32, but considering my 7x26 were as adequate or less so by only a smidge, I would love to put a top 10x25 against its sibling 8x32 for afew days.[/QUOTE]
I have recently compared my new Leica Ultravid 10x25 binoculars to the "full sized" ones I have in the family (Trinovid 8x32, Victory 10x40, FL 8x42). Main problem I found, aside from less light in dim conditions: it is much more critical how you place your eyes. This, I assume, has got to do with the small exit pupil. Particularly as a spectacle wearer, I do not get the brightest picture as naturally as it comes with the larger binoculars.