Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting What do you consider a 'happy median' backpacker bino. ?

I have a Zeiss Conquest 8x20, around 8oz. but can't see anything at dawn/dusk/heavy overcast conditions.

Which binocular do you backpack deep into a wilderness area with ?

Tract 12.5x50 in a kuiu harness.

I have tried about everything .
These days I have a Swarovski 8x20 for my pocket, a Minox 10x43 hpo as my main binoculars and they compare favorably with Premium Zeiss, Swarovski or Lieca. I have quite a variety over the years.
These Minox bins are the clearest and brightest of all.
The 8x20's are only ok in good lighting conditions.
I never venture out without a spotting scope either.

"Happy median" being size/weight or price vs quality or magnification?

I have tried various formats over the years and never thought that I would end up liking 8x42 best overall. I have no desire to switch from the 8x42 for general use, or backpacking into a wilderness. However, I might be tempted to try a 10x50 for certain situations.

8X33 Kowa Gennys on my chest and 10.5X44 Gennys in my pack for tripod use, whether I'm 400 yds from the truck or 4 miles.

There's always a lightweight mini spotter in the pack, as well.

Bushnell 7x26 Custom Compact.

Ole school.




GR

Ultravid 8x20 - I can see at dusk and dawn fairly well, and they have exceptional resolution. I got mine as a "demo" from Doug 8 years ago (he has the same bin right now for $599). They replaced an older Zeiss 8x20 FL*T I had. The Leica's are brighter and have better resolution. If I were wanting something a bit brighter, I'd think long and hard about the Swarovski 7x21 Curio. It's an ounce heavier and lacks armoring, but it does have twist up eyecups. I far and away prefer a 7x21 with its larger exit pupil.

Those are the only two compact binoculars I'd consider.

Edit: My other binocular is an 8x32 Ultravid, and that's what I use backpack hunting. But I'd never carry it on a non-hunting backpack trip. For me, binoculars in the 30mm class are mid-sized, definitely not compacts. Would also say, I could adapt to just using the 8x20's hunting.

Sightron 8x32 on the cheaper end

Talking about weight.

For packing in, 8x30-32's are my favorite. I have a set of Ultravids that I use more than others.

When not hunting I sometimes just carry my Leica 2000B range finder.

Brad's positive comments about the 8x20 Leicas will likely encourage me to look at a pair for off season use.

I guess i am a dinosaur. I still carry the same set of smelly 10x42 ultravids. For me, there isn't much point in putting in all that effort if you can't see anything.

I don't explain myself well enough, curious what bino folks would 'suffer' to pack into the back country to 'glass' distant game or terrain.

Good info so far anyway, I didn't mean my 8x20 zeiss was bad, I really like it for its lightweight and good glass.
After reading how big a difference there is between an 8x20 against an 8x42/10x42 or 10x50.

Saw a video, guy compared 8x42 vs 10x42 same exact line of bino, he said he could see better with the 8 than the 10x , I just don't know that much about binos.

Tripod, 15 x 56s and a pair of 8 x 32s. Plus every ounce of water you plan to drink.
Packs are heavy in AZ.

Depends, either 12x50 ELs and tripod where I can glass at distance, or 8x30 SLCs in the elk timber. Not both on the same backpack hunt though.

I have some 8x20 baby leicas. It's worth the weight to me to pack the 10x42s.

I would take a good 42mm over a 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 32mm, 33mm, etc. regardless of weight savings. My preference is 8x42, but I can see why some prefer 10x42.

An old set of 8x40 Trinovids are in my Marsupial carrier whenever I step out of the truck. It doesn't matter if it is for a 3 hour day hunt or packing in.

I’ve owned Zeiss and Leica compact 8x20s. Not any more. Like the Leica 8x32 Ultravids a whole lot more. And for wide open stuff the Swarovision EL 10x42 get the call.

8x36s

12s.


Range finder.