Anyone ever use compact binos?

[White Wizard]

I was wondering about the swaro cl companion or even the cl pocket mountain for hunting. I love my els but could cut a pound off if I switched. Any thoughts would be appriciated. Thanks

 

[wyosteve]

I have 10x42 EL's and 8x30 CL companion. Certainly the EL's are better, but the CL's are great binos and I use them quite often when I don't want the size/weight of the EL's. You won't be disappointed for mountain use.

 

[wytx]

I have a pair of older Leupold 10x25 and some leica 8x20's. I use them for timber hunting. You lose some light transmission with the smaller lenses and tubes but worth it for weight reduction. They fit nicely in a pocket out of the bowstrings way.

 

[WestNE]

Going forward I plan on using Meopta Euro HD 8x32's for all, mixed glassing. I have looked through two binos in my life that made my honestly say "WOW". One a Zeiss SF 8x42, the other the Meopta HD 8x32. Most of the world days you need 10x but with good glass I just don't see the need.
Nick

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[mvmnts]

Damn, looking at these new CL Companions has me a little hot under the collar. Could drop 10oz off my Leica 10x42. I might need to try them out. Does anyone know of a comparably light full coverage harness that would fit these well?

 

[6mm Remington]

I carried a pair of 10x25 Leupold Gold Ring compact binoculars for years until my son stole them from me! Now I carry a pair of 10x25 Leica Ultravid compact binoculars. I have not missed a full size binocular at all and love these things, both of them. Very good glass and very clear. Sure nice to carry around your neck and not feel like you have a large weight hanging there. I have a friend who has a set of 10x42 Swarovski's but he hardly ever carries them. Just too darn large and bulky. They don't do much good sitting at home or in the truck!

 

[Mcfar]

When I was young and first started guiding I couldn’t afford bino’s so I tied string around an old Weaver K4 rifle scope and used it for a couple seasons. One of my hunters felt sorry for me and gave me a pair of compact Bushnel’s that I used for years until a sheep hunter I guided gave me a pair of Leica 7x35’s. Those Binos ruined me for ever using cheap glass and I hunted with those for over 25 years. Then I bought a pair of Leica 10x42’s and they are amazing, but heavy! My neck and shoulders would feel it after lugging them around all day. I sold them and went with a pair of Leica 8x32’s. I love them and don’t think I see any less game with them. The only problem I’ve had is finding a decent bino carrier that fits them!


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[Blockcaver]

Really like my Leica Ultravid 8x32 for closer, thicker cover/timber hunting. They are light and optically excellent. They don't go sheep or caribou hunting, but would if I did not have SV10x42s. I've also owned multiple pairs of 8x20s...the folding Zeiss (as well as 10x25 version), a Zeiss 8x20B and a pair of Leica Ultravid 8x20s. I like the concept, but never was totally satisfied with them, partially because I wear glasses and the eye relief was short on all of them, and they all had a critical eye box...meaning you had to very precise on where you placed them to get a decent field of view. I do extensive testing of binos on the mountain behind the house, both on everyday hikes as well as from the house, seated, standing, on tripods, etc. In viewing bighorns and mule deer at 400 yards to a mile, you can really distinguish what you want in a binocular, versus what you will tolerate in size and weight to pack. To me it has come down to the 8x32s combined with a pair of 10x42s for back country use. I do have a pair of Leica Geovid 15x56HDs for tripod work around the deck and the truck/quad too. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Eric4]

I switched from Meopta 8x42s to the Swarovski Habicht 8x30 and really enjoy the change. The smaller binoculars are quicker to use, and the lighter weight allows for easier one handed operation. The porro prism ergonomics feel more steady to me as well.

The Swaro unfortunately has no mount for a tripod adapter, so I'm currently using the Outdoorsman bino hand. My plan is to make a lighter weight mount for the outdoor research tripod adapter.


The lighter and more compact you go, optically you'll be losing traits like eye relief, field of view, and low light capabilities. If you're constantly relying on your optics, this could become a hinderance.

 

[muleysnelk]

I bought the new 8x30 CL companion recently and love them. I still have my 10x42 SLC HD's but feel these 8x30's give up nothing to them. I also shaved 11oz. off the SLC's, and a wider FOV. Will be taking these along with my 15x56's next week on an antelope hunt.

 

[Jayds]

I looked through the new Swarovski 10x30 CL companion the other day and I was super impressed. I am having a tough time not pulling the trigger on them over the 10x42 SLC. Looking through them both it just doesn't seem like you are giving up much for the cost and weight savings. Anybody have any different opinions?