I am trying to find a nice pair of compact binoculars I can use for birding on hikes with my kids when I don't feel like taking along a larger pair. The Minox 8x24 look nice but not sure if I would like the narrow 5 deg fov. I want to get a pair of roof prism binoculars that are double hinged to keep the size as small as possible. The leica 8x20 sound great and my only worry is the smaller exit pupil and if it would be difficult to align both barrels to my eyes. If anyone has any advice on these two or another that I overlooked, it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Dave Adams
p.s. Another option might be to get a pair of inexpensive Eagle Optics Energy 8x21's for carrying in a pocket and a slightly larger pair such as the Bushnell 7x26 Custom Compacts?
Quite an issue, but there are fortunately tons to choose from. I like a lot of inverted porros of 8x25 size, but there is a lot of variety in eye cups, so pick one that you can see in a store. I have a 10x25 porro pair as well, and they are surprisingly bright. FOV is good on many porros.
For roof prisms, surprisingly, there was even one 8.5x pair listed
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.as...urch=1&pid=4222
If I was getting some binoculars I did not have to pay for myself, I would look at these
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.as...urch=1&pid=3084
they sell for around 400. I never pay that much, so under 100 Nikons will do fine for my casual birding.
Your Leiacs look good, too. My issue with compacts is that I like to carry them in my pocket, usually fairly cheap ones. I would feel with the expensive models that I need them around my neck for safety. In some situations, I don't want to look like a birder, and only pull them out when needed.
"In some situations, I don't want to look like a birder, and only pull them out when needed."
Embarrassed to be one of us, eh?
Naw, I understand. But honestly, when I am walking around neighborhoods with my binocs around my neck peering in the direction of people's homes, I am more worried about looking like a peeping tom!