Best lightweight Binoculars for backpacking

[Winchester]

Swaro cl 8x30s are amazing glass and about the perfect size. I have some el 8x32 I also really like. For longer backpacking trips where hunting is not the goal I pack my 8x25 pockets.

Agree. My Swaro cl 8x30s are unbelievably clear and very compact.

 

[hunt1up]

Another vote for the CL 8x30s. I use mine constantly. Love em. My kids both have Maven 8x30s and they’re also awesome.

I also have NL 12x42s for the bigger country. But for everything else I grab the CLs.

 

[2ski]

Absolutely the worst bino purchase I ever made in my life, if there was some resolution or even assistance from the company when I had issues, maybe I would say that the product has some quality issues but at least they took care of it. That isn't the case though. Happy that someone liked them, but definitely research them first.

They aren't in business anymore. I actually have an eye up that I'd like fixed. I said call them in my original post because if someone googled it they find that out.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

You said “best” and you’ll find nothing better than the NL Pure.

 

[3Esski]

They aren't in business anymore. I actually have an eye up that I'd like fixed. I said call them in my original post because if someone googled it they find that out.

Good. My experience was close to 15 years ago, but I am just as sour about it as if it happened yesterday. Seeing the name invoked bad memories.

 

[Time2fish]

The Sig Zulu6 10x30 are 19oz and you don’t have to stop walking to use them

 

[Moccasin]

Leica UVHD+. 8x32s are tiny and 19oz. The x42s are very compact in size vs everyone else. Their 7x42s are incredible. I’ve seen some go on here recently for sub $1500.

 

[P Carter]

I bought a pair of GPO 8x32 for around $500, and they're great. I don't have much to compare them to, but worth a look.

 

[Archer2]

SFL 8x40.

Yep these are amazing!

 

[MallardSX2]

I wish I had 2 pairs of these. I freaking LOVE mine…

 

[Doc Holliday]

I bought a pair of GPO 8x32 for around $500, and they're great. I don't have much to compare them to, but worth a look.

I picked up a set of the GPO Passion ED 8x32 on here over the summer and used for whitetail hunting in Georgia this season, and whether 30 ft up in my climber in the woods or in a tower stand overlooking a field, they are a pleasure to look through. Bright image, wide field of view, Focus knob is smooth, eye cups are solid, fit and finish is impressive, and they feel great in the hand. I would have no reservations having them on my chest out west for a backpack hunt, especially with a spotter in the pack to compliment .

 

[P Carter]

I picked up a set of the GPO Passion ED 8x32 on here over the summer and used for whitetail hunting in Georgia this season, and whether 30 ft up in my climber in the woods or in a tower stand overlooking a field, they are a pleasure to look through. Bright image, wide field of view, Focus knob is smooth, eye cups are solid, fit and finish is impressive, and they feel great in the hand. I would have no reservations having them on my chest out west for a backpack hunt, especially with a spotter in the pack to compliment .

This is the model I have, and that’s been my experience as well. Cameraland had a great sale on them.

 

[lhbackcountry]

I use 10x32 Sig rangefinders, combo saves weight and space. Glass is very good, but not alpha

How’s the range finder on these? Angle compensation? The bow hunter in me wants to just bring one bino to do both but not sure i want raise binos out of harness if i get caught with a deer close to range it

 

[eaglemountainman]

Kowa 8x33 Genesis.

 

[hereinaz]

How’s the range finder on these? Angle compensation? The bow hunter in me wants to just bring one bino to do both but not sure i want raise binos out of harness if i get caught with a deer close to range it

Rangefinder is fantastic, and has angle compensation mode needed for archery.

My bow hunting buddies went with their Swaro and Leica 10s and separate rangefinder, so it’s a personal thing.

Their 10x42 glass is snuck better than the Sig.

 

[Sundodger]

Nikon M7's 8x30's are pretty great for their weight, and cost.

 

[Elkarchery]

Another vote for the CL 8x30s. I use mine constantly. Love em. My kids both have Maven 8x30s and they’re also awesome.

I also have NL 12x42s for the bigger country. But for everything else I grab the CLs.

Really happy with my Swaro 8x30 CL

What type of terrain do you hunt with 8x30

 

[dkim]

I just got some Zeiss SFL 10x30's. Very nice and light and great for the short time I've used them. I also have a pair of GPO 8x32's. Also very light and very good optics. Any gains I notice from the Zeiss optically are small so far.

 

[Blockcaver]

Just got a pair of Swaro NLPure 10x32. Impressive...noticeably better than my 11 year old SV10x42EL as per brightness, field of view and clarity. Surprised me on the brightness....tested watching a herd of California bighorn ewes and lambs in the cliffs above the house at 800-1000 yards. Watched them for an hour starting in the sun, then in the shade, then all the way into total darkness. The NL 10x32 beat the SV10x42ELs the whole time, to say nothing about the 22 year old pair of 10x42ELs that lagged further behind.

Ended up sending both of my old pairs of 10x42 ELs in to Swarovski as the coatings are potentially worn? Looking forward to another comparison assuming they get freshened up.

Looking forward to using the smaller NLs for an all around backcountry as well as treestand binocular. They are not tiny but sure perform.

 

[Latewinner]

Leica 8x32 or 7x32