Best lightweight Binoculars for backpacking

I'm more than happy with my Maven B3 8x30's, especially for the price. I see them pop up for sale on here for $400 semi regularly.
 
JoeK said:
I've been comparing the 8x30 and 8x40 SFL from zeiss. see comparison here. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/zeiss-sfl-8x40-vs-8x30.399051/

I have very similar use case as companion chest bino for archery. For the weight and price they are both excellent. I think I'm going to stick with the 30's they are featherweight(16oz). the 8x40 weighs the same as NL 8x32'sat 22oz And they're on sale for another week...
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If you don't mind me asking, where are you finding the SFL's on sale? I am in the market for a pair in 8x.
 
After Zeiss came out with the SFL there is only one answer to this question. The SFL family model dependent on needs.
 
timberlinehunter said:
If you don't mind me asking, where are you finding the SFL's on sale? I am in the market for a pair in 8x.
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I believe the sale is branded through all zeiss distributors. I picked up the 30's on the classifieds and then got the 40's from cameralandNY. I'm going to stick with the 30's so if your looking for 40's I may have a pair available. I think they're still in the return window but if not they're for sale.
 
JoeK said:
I believe the sale is branded through all zeiss distributors. I picked up the 30's on the classifieds and then got the 40's from cameralandNY. I'm going to stick with the 30's so if your looking for 40's I may have a pair available. I think they're still in the return window but if not they're for sale.
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Cool thanks. I will send you a PM JoeK
 
I agree with a lot of guys above. I picked up some maven b3 8x30s used for $225 a while back. They punch way above their price point. I find myself using them a lot over my other mavens, sigs, and Ziess binos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The 8x40 SFL would be my choice, for performance and weight. Just not for price!

I compared a bunch of binocs, that included 8x32 NL and 8x42 NL, side by side for an extended time with varying light conditions.

Gist of it - 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL were the only ones to resolve my target under all conditions evaluated.

The 8x32 NL, 8x30 SFL, and my personal 8x32 Conquest HD could not. Under dim conditions like heavy clouds and thick canopy they failed, with my middle aged eyes. In better light, they resolved the same as the 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL.

I also tried the 10x32 NL - it could not always resolve the target either. It just made the target appear closer. I have better than 20/20 vision.

Both SFL excelled with minimal veiling glare. All the NL were the worst - sometimes nearly unusable. My Conquest was not as good as the SFL, but still usable.

I have considered the 8x30 SFL, especially with sales over the past year, but it doesn't offer me anything over my Conquest except for weight saving and a little better stray light control.
 
4th_point said:
The 8x40 SFL would be my choice, for performance and weight. Just not for price!

I compared a bunch of binocs, that included 8x32 NL and 8x42 NL, side by side for an extended time with varying light conditions.

Gist of it - 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL were the only ones to resolve my target under all conditions evaluated.

The 8x32 NL, 8x30 SFL, and my personal 8x32 Conquest HD could not. Under dim conditions like heavy clouds and thick canopy they failed, with my middle aged eyes. In better light, they resolved the same as the 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL.

I also tried the 10x32 NL - it could not always resolve the target either. It just made the target appear closer. I have better than 20/20 vision.

Both SFL excelled with minimal veiling glare. All the NL were the worst - sometimes nearly unusable. My Conquest was not as good as the SFL, but still usable.

I have considered the 8x30 SFL, especially with sales over the past year, but it doesn't offer me anything over my Conquest except for weight saving and a little better stray light control.
Click to expand...
Great post, thanks for sharing! Did you ever throw the 10x40SFLs in the mix?
 
Howler65 said:
Great post, thanks for sharing! Did you ever throw the 10x40SFLs in the mix?
Click to expand...

I did not compare the 10x40 SFL like the others, but have been meaning to repeat the comparison with 10x.

I did compare glare control for the 10x40 SFL, 10x42 EL, and 10x42 NL though - both of the Swaros were bad. It's really hard for me to get any glare from any of the SFLs.
 
Vortex DB HD 8x32 - plus great warranty! If you are open to older binos the Bushnell Custom compact 6x25 or 7x26 can’t be beat for compactness and optical quality.
 
Vortex DB HD 8x32 - plus great warranty! If you are open to older binos the Bushnell Custom compact 6x25 or 7x26 can’t be beat for compactness and optical quality.
 
Honfor500 said:
Looking for suggestions on some lightweight binos for backpacking and Archery hunting
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For archery, I would recommend 8x32 or possibly lower power and no larger than 32mm.
Easy to pack, good FOV and as mentioned, if you can integrate the rangefinder, it's the total package.
 
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