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.

Am on my second season with Swarovski NL Pure 10x32's. Really outstanding glass. I know they are expensive but this is a lifetime investment and I really doubt you will ever have cause to second guess your purchase.

The 32's are less bulky and lighter than my previous go-to glass which was Swarovski 10x42 SLC's and the optics are even better. You can spend hours behind them without fatigue ... try that with smaller or cheaper glass.

Aside from boots, I do not think there is a piece of equipment which is more critical to your hunting success than fine glass. You will be a more successful hunter pairing the best binoculars available with a mediocre rifle/scope than the other way around. Spend your money where it really counts.

The same thing I pack shallow into a wilderness--my 7x30 SLC's. Or 8x30 SLC's.

Although, after spending few hours over the course of two days looking through and comparing to some other alpha and semi-alpha binos the newish Zeiss 8x40 SFL's have my attention. 22 ozs. $1800 (or maybe less from Doug). Might be one of the biggest bang for the bino buck I've ran across in a very long time.

I had a chance to spend only a few minutes with a 8x32 NL Pure. Great FOV, and the view is as good as I expected. But they are heavier and larger than the 32mm EL's they replace. I kinda' consider that a step back. I would like to be able to compare them to the Zeiss SFL's.

Alpinecrick

I agree with you on the weight / size increase going from the EL's to the NL's. I wish they had been able to hold the line and still give you the increase in FOV and optical clarity you get from the newer NL's but it was not (yet) to be.

Still the NL's are smaller and lighter than my older 10x42 SLC's and do offer appreciably better optics than the older / heavier glass at a fair weight and size savings. Dropping weight and bulk of my kit has become even more important to me with my second full knee replacement ... anything to keep out there.

I did borrow and hunt a pair of the smaller CL's but found they were not even remotely in the same league as the EL or NL glass. Not worth the trade-off to me.

Steiner NATO issue Commander II from 1988 re armoured x2 since due to a rough life. None finer

Swarovski 8x30 CL is my Goldilocks Binos….

I’m loving my x35 Retrovids. Compact, light and excellent optics.

John, guessing you meant 7x35’s?

I ordered a pair yesterday.