Compact rangefinding binos

Joined
Oct 1, 2013
Messages
1,063
Location
Northern California
I want to pick up some compact rangefinding binoculars. Either 8x32 or 10x32. Swaro would be the obvious choice but I don’t want to spend swaro money. Already have NL14s for real glassing. Just need a handy pair for wearing in chest rig and ranging. I hate my leica hand held rangefinder. Also hate not having binos handy when I need them. I’ve been using El range 10x42 for ten years and changing systems.
Big binos for tripod work and a small rangefinder pair to have handy.
Looking at GPO or SiG. looking for user feedback. I don’t really care about the ballistic app stuff. Just decent glass and good range finder.
 
The Revics are actually pretty small. You can get the Gen 1’s for pretty cheap now. They’re great, especially if you need on board ballistics.
 
I knonits not 8x32 but i sold my sig kilo and bought the vortex fury hd 5000. At 32 ounces its right there with what most companies 10x42 binos weigh without range finding. The range finder is superb. No issue ranging rocks at 3k. Glass is very clear. They weigh as much as my 10x42 and range finder i used before. They save me weight over having to pack big binos everywhere. I have no issue seeing elk at 4000 yards with these. Im able to make out clumps of grass at 3,000 off of my tripod. Most of the time i just carry this and a 2 lb tripod. Only time i carry bigger binos is if im looking for turkeys or antelope. So i figure it saves me the 40 ounces of bigger binos and the 8 ounces of range finder.
 
If you don't care about the ballistics and don't want to spend swaro money the GPO are a decent suggestion, the 8x40 are pretty compact. I've been using them so far this season and the glass is decent. It gives up some to my older ELs, not as crisp edge to edge.
 
Following. I have fury 5000’s and they are bulky, heavy, and the glass is ok but not great in low light. I would greatly prefer a set of x32’s at half or 2/3 the weight. The x32 range guides above look ok on paper and seem to be priced really well (although the open box 8x32 more $ than the new 8x32 on the website) but have significantly less ranging capability than my furys, so I suspect I would not be happy with that, even if the glass is comparable or better. Also, would greatly prefer onboard ballistic solution, its a real timesaver and worth it imo. I see sig makes a compact as well, also priced pretty well. I've used sigs kilo 10k x42's next to my fury's and I think the glass is better on the sigs, if you can live with the blue tint on the sigs.

Id rather get a set with really really good glass though. el range 8x32's are only 24oz....but I keep hearing people talk about how the glass isnt as good as regular premium glass. Ive sort of been waiting for technology to catch up. I figure if I'm going to spend I want it to really be premium glass along with good and fast range and ballistic solution.
 
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