What do you think are the best compacts. Nikon LX L(HG) or Leica Ultravid's. What do you think are the best magnifications? 8x20 or 10x25. Consumer Guide recently rated the Nikon HG 10x25 the best over the Leica Utravid compact. Usually the magazine does a pretty good job on testing binoculars. Also, there is a thread here on Bird Forum which says the Nikon LX L 10x25 compacts have the best resolution that he has ever tested at 4 arc seconds. What do you all think?
Dennis
Depends on what you want to do with them. My best ones I have are Nikon Trailblazer 10x25. Field of View 342 ft./1000 yds.
Eye Relief 10 mm Close Focus 8.2 ft.
I see more birds with them, wider FOV than my other pocket bins. They are not phase coated and a bit dim, but fine for casual birding. Suppose I am on a business or vacation trip and end up on a boat trip, as I did last year in Seattle. I had a wind breaker and in my pocket was a pair of 8x25 reverse porros. It was enough for a few gulls and a Caspian Tern.
The expensive ones still have a fairly narrow FOV other than the Nikons you mentioned. I have looked at them and they are indeed fine. But the FOV is only 282 in feet.
If compacts were my only binoculars I would also look at some 8x models such as
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3301
the 8x28 Pentax. Looks like sturdy and should be fairly bright.
For my routine winter time casual bin I usea 9x25 reverse porro, but Bushnell does carry a 9x25 Legend roof prism.
No competition, Leica 10x25 Ultravids!!