Light weight Binos

[C Bow]

What binos do gram counters recomend

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25's for the ultimate pocket bino with a wide field of view & Alpha glass.

Swaro NL Pure 10x32 for legitimate glassing and mountain hunting.

 

[TaperPin]

Compacts not only save the weight of the binocular, but 10 to 12 ounces doesn’t require a chest harness of any kind, so there is another half a pound savings at least. During 95% of the day compacts find game just as well as a full size pair of the same quality. I still chuckle remembering a sow and cub grizzly in Glacier NP. They were way out there on a far ridge and crowds gather and the big rental Swaro glass comes out - one dude walked up with a spotting scope and said I should put my compacts away since there’s no way they would be able to pick out the bears at that distance, but I was the one that originally found them when nobody else could. lol

 

[il_cop]

I went through the same journey the last 2 years after lugging 28 oz binos in the backcountry for several years prior. Just didn't see the advantage (elk hunting) for the weight. Little heavier than compacts, and a sleeper brand for sure : opticron traveller ed 8x32 at 15 oz. Polymer body as opposed to their magnesium binos. Very good glass at a reasonable price and no issues so far with durability due to polymer.

 

[rtrevith]

Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25's for the ultimate pocket bino with a wide field of view & Alpha glass.

Swaro NL Pure 10x32 for legitimate glassing and mountain hunting.

I second this - great glass for the size and weight

 

[cuerro viejo]

10X40 GPO Range guide

 

[Beendare]

I can see where carrying around a big RF bino or the heavy stabilizing bino is a PITA. Those can get heavy. I ran the Leica Geo's for about 7 years and the extra weight was noticeable...so I went back to a 10x40 and a separate RF- which turns out I like better.

I think the comment above about bino harnesses is right on- I hardly notice my 10x NL's or my 8x40's in a bino harness....and it's worth not having to sacrifice the better low light performance.

Now if you are a guy thats always back in camp before it gets dark, then it's probably not a thing.

Edited for clarity

 

[dkim]

Zeiss SFL 10x30.

 

[C Bow]

Thanks

 

[ChrisAU]

I tried NL Pure 8x32s and SFL 8x40's. The SFL's were much better in low light, don't give up much in FOV, are cheaper, and are actually a touch lighter.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I picked up some GPO Range guide 8x40's recently, and they are very lightweight for RF binos.

 

[JoeK]

Zeiss SFL are awesome binos. I've got 8x30's for archery. I compared the 8x40's and decided to stick with the lighter 30's and miss out on the first/last 10 min of low light performance. Rest of the time performance was equal. Maybe in thick timber the larger objective is worth the weight or light gathering. For rifle hunting I'm on the LRF binos 100% even though SFL and seperate rangefinder is lighter overall having RF in the binos is a big difference to me and well worth the weight.

 

[Rugger7622]

Monarch HG's are crazy light especially for a 10x42. Noticeably lighter than most in this category.

 

[Blackbird]

I just got SFL 12x50 and I have been pretty impressed so far. I think they are a great choice for someone looking for something really light but also not wanting to give up on higher magnification.

 

[Chad Dembinski]

I wouldn't shy away from the Swaro CL Companions either. I got a family member some for a gift and was pretty damn impressed with them for smaller package binocular!

I run the NL Pure 10x32 and they are exactly what I have been looking for in a chest bino.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Swaro 8x32 el

 

[patagonialuke]

Anyone got experience with more budget-oriented ($200–$500) options in the compact-ish class? E.g., 10x30s or 8x30s from the Opticron Explorer, Hawke Frontier, or Nikon Monarch M7 lines?

(I'm looking for something lighter / smaller than my hefty 12x50s to bring on hunts when I know I won't need excellent glass or low-light performance. But if there's a major drop-off in performance once you go below the ~$500 mark, then I'll probably just save up for a Maven B.3, Opticron Traveler, or something similar.)

 

[P Carter]

Anyone got experience with more budget-oriented ($200–$500) options in the compact-ish class? E.g., 10x30s or 8x30s from the Opticron Explorer, Hawke Frontier, or Nikon Monarch M7 lines?

(I'm looking for something lighter / smaller than my hefty 12x50s to bring on hunts when I know I won't need excellent glass or low-light performance. But if there's a major drop-off in performance once you go below the ~$500 mark, then I'll probably just save up for a Maven B.3, Opticron Traveler, or something similar.)

The German precision optics passion ed 8x32 may be worth a look. I don’t have $1,000+ optics to compare to, but they are great for me. I found them on sale for $370ish maybe, not sure that price is still available, but you can find them for under $500.

 

[Moosehunter]

I tried NL Pure 8x32s and SFL 8x40's. The SFL's were much better in low light, don't give up much in FOV, are cheaper, and are actually a touch lighter.

I have some 8x sfls and those things are ridiculous.
I've had 3 pairs of Swaros and can't force myself to like them as much as these.

 

[BigredRusch]

Anyone got experience with more budget-oriented ($200–$500) options in the compact-ish class? E.g., 10x30s or 8x30s from the Opticron Explorer, Hawke Frontier, or Nikon Monarch M7 lines?

(I'm looking for something lighter / smaller than my hefty 12x50s to bring on hunts when I know I won't need excellent glass or low-light performance. But if there's a major drop-off in performance once you go below the ~$500 mark, then I'll probably just save up for a Maven B.3, Opticron Traveler, or something similar.)

I run the Opticron Traveller 8x32 on my chest. They are true to advertised weight and size. The Nikon Monarch 7 and Maven B.3 are comparable, but the Traveller is the only 8x32 in that class that has significant eye relief. I am impressed with them. Under 16 oz and a very clear image with a large, sweet spot.