For awhile now, I’ve been working with some compact 6-7x binoculars. The list has grown to include the Leupold 6x30 Yosemite, the Eagle Optics Raven 6.5x32, the Vortex Fury 6.5x32, the Minox 6.5x32 IF, Vortex Diamondback 7x36, Bushnell Archer EX 7x36 Swift Eaglet 7x36, and the Leupold Switch Power 7/12x32. I had hoped to hold off until I got the new ZEN ED 2 7x36. I was not able to get a 6x32 Viper or Katmai.
I have found this size of magnification to be pretty useful, especially when something from the group is paired with a 10x or larger in a combination.
The Leupold was left on 7x. In direct comparisons, the Minox and the rest of the pack were focused on the same object.
Image quality:
This is ranked in order of best to worst. It is a combination of apparent resolution, color, contrast and apparent brightness. The ranking is as follows.
1- Leupold 7x. This is a very good image quality. It will come very close to the alpha glass. Color representation and contrast are very good.
2- Swift 7x36. This was bested by the Leupold by a small amount in contrast. The Leupold held color representation a bit better into twilight.
3- Dead heat with the 6.5x32’s. This is the Raven, Fury and Minox. There seems to be no appreciable difference here. I would have to see it for myself that somebody could consistently separate these based only on the image. Some group separation may be due to the .5x less image magnification.
4- Leupold Yosemite 6x30. The only thing holding this from the 6.5 group is that the image at 6x does look a bit smaller than the 6.5’s. The Raven does seem to have improved the internal baffling and handles stray light better than the Yosemite. The edge of field sharpness is a bit better than the Yosemite. There seems to me no practical need to get rid of the Yosemite for a Raven. That Yosemite is a heck of a deal. The Raven does seem to best it a little
5- Vortex Diamondback and Bushnell EX. These are very good for less than $200 binoculars, but are not quite as bright as the rest, and there is more edge distortion. As far as I can tell, these are the same binocular in different enclosures and different eye cups.
General Characteristics;
Leupold; this is obviously a hybrid of sorts with the dual magnification ability. Nice sturdy compact. It has a very fast focus. It also has interchangeable eye cups. Some will want a wider FOV, but this is certainly adequate for most purposes. Edge sharpness is very good.
Swift; this is another very fast focus binocular. It has barely noticeable image differences with the Leupold. It feels slimmer in the hands than the Leupold or anything else in the comparison.
Vortex Fury; this is a bit bigger binocular than most 32 mm compacts. It has a nice bright image and a very good FOV. It has a slower 1.5 turn focus
Minox IF; this is about the same size as the Fury. I actually like the somewhat boxy feel and the old fashioned fold down rubber eye cups. The only practical difference in these two is the IF/CF. If the Minox had a center focus, it would be pretty hard to tell which one of the two I’d keep. But As good as the Minox may be, it is not any better than the Fury, so it goes back to Doug. I tried to like it enough to keep it, but it was not to be.
Yosemite and Raven; there are more similarities than differences. The Raven is about ½” longer than the Yosemite and feels bigger in the hand, but they are pretty obviously on the same basic frame.
Diamondback and EX; these as, I said above seem to be the same binocular. If you wear classes, the Diamondback may pose some problems. The eye cup, even fully collapsed, sits too far above the lens to allow a glasses wearer to see the whole fov. The Bushnell has exactly the opposite problem. It is fine with glasses, but extends only to some 14mm above the lens and I have to physically hold it away from my eyes to get the full fov. This one is going back. I did not use it much. The advertisements for the EX 7x36 early on indicated it had a fov of 488’. It is, as marked on the binocular, 409’. It is also a bit too small for the open hinge. There is more than enough room between the hinges for one finger, but not enough for two. The focus on both is slower than the rest of the binoculars, about 1.5 turns. The DB I had had extremely stiff focus. It has loosened up some, but I have no doubt some people will have a hard time using it. I do not assume this is typical, so judge the DB not too harshly by this one The focus actually squeaks.
As a general observation there is no apparent difference in the depth of field in any of these binoculars when they are all compared when focused on the same object.
Steve,
Thank you for sharing further comments on this fine selection of lower powered bins. I have to say that I understand the fascination with this magnification range. The excellent depth of field, the brightness of the image, the easy to use 5 mm exit pupil all combine to create enjoyable images.
My thoughts on the Bushnell Excursion EX tend to mirror yours. I found the image quality to be inconsistent on my unit going from barrel to barrel. If it was more consistent and if the edge distortion was a bit better controlled then I would have no problem picking up another one. Maybe if I find a demo somewhere or one on clearance for $150 or so.
The EO Raven continues to impress. I thoroughly enjoy using the 6.5x version and don't really feel the need to have more magnification for most of the applications I have put it through. The 8.5x is a little lower on the totem pole simply because of the increase in magnification and yet I do not believe I would have a problem using it for almost everything but a full time binocular...the smaller exit pupil is pretty much my only really complaint.
I look forward to the Zen ED 7x36 as well. Hopefully it will give that Leupold a run for the money.
Thanks Steve. I'm hoping my Raptors arrive today and I can test them in person. I see you didn't include your last generation Custom Compact in there. Did it not measure up, in your opinion?
Frank mentions the upcoming 7x36 Zens, which sound interesting but will be 5 oz. heavier than the Yosemites and Raptors/Ravens. One of the main things I like about the Yosemites is the size/weight ratio. It made them very comfortable for me. The 7x36 Zens may be close to a standard 8x roof in handling.