lightweight 8x’s

[mtwarden]

Looking for a lightweight 8x30/32

I’m looking at the Maven B3 8x30’s- I can’t seem to find a disparaging word on them. Are there others I should be considering (well save $2000+ ones! )

Thanks

 

[SHTF]

I have had my Swaro 8x30 CL for 2 years now and I enjoy them alot. Great glass and they work great for Bowhunting. I also have Maven b2 11x45's now also that Im pretty fond of. I havent looked through the B3's yet.

 

[ljalberta]

Brand new updated version of the Swaro Cl companion is coming soon. From the initial reviews it's sounds fantastic. If $1000 isn't out the budget, I'd wait until the new year and have a look at those.

 

[Jeff Martin]

If you get to use the Swaros 8x32 SV, you might just forget about everything- I certainly did. Unbelievable. I don’t miss my Leica 10x42s


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[mtwarden]

I'll peek at the Companion that's at the upper end of what I want to spend- I'm sure the SV (EL's) are nice, but just a little too nice for me

 

[dotman]

If you could find older 8x32 Swaro El non SV that’s the direction I would go.

If you can bump your budget to $1700 here is a great deal on the SV’s Swarovski Traveler EL 32 Binocular - 8x32mm Sandbrown - Binoculars & Monoculars - Optics | Natchez

 

[zeroforhire]

If you are on a budget, the sightron blue sky 8x is fantastic.

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[Northernpiker]

Sent you a PM mtwarden.

 

[SHTF]

Brand new updated version of the Swaro Cl companion is coming soon. From the initial reviews it's sounds fantastic. If $1000 isn't out the budget, I'd wait until the new year and have a look at those.

Hot Damn you aint lying Blog -

The new CL Companion binoculars – the freedom to experience more -

SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Dang and I thought I was good to go at this point. Now I want the new ones. Any word on if they are HD or just swarobright like the current pair?

 

[cgr1971]

The guys over at the bird forum have already been testing the new Companions. Their opinion seems to be that the new ones are very close to the EL SV's at half the cost. Here's a link.

New released Swaro CL Companion 8x30 B - BirdForum

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I strongly suggest the Kowa Genesis 33 8x33mm Prominar XD GN33-8 Binoculars. Check out this review posted on SnipersHide comparing these Kowa Genesis 33 8x33mm Prominar XD GN33-8 Binoculars vs a Swarovski 8x32 EL

 

[mtwarden]

the new Companion looks very promising

thanks- the Kowa isn’t one I was aware of

 

[gr8fuldoug]

the new Companion looks very promising

thanks- the Kowa isn’t one I was aware of

Kowa has awesome optics and the industries worst marketing lol

The Birders have rated the Kowa spotting scopes as a best quality for many years

 

[Mr. Monday]

The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, Leica Trinovid HD 8x32, and Kowa Genesis 8x33 should be at the top of your list.

If you can go up to $1k and don't mind waiting for a good used pair then the Leica Ultravid, Duovid, and Zeiss Victory are all very attainable. Nikon EDG and Leupold Gold Rings are also good used buys.

 

[mtwarden]

thanks- I’ll add those to the list to look at (or through as the case may be )

 

[Lawnboi]

Dang there goes the resale on my cl's. I like them but they can be hard to get behind especially with glasses.

 

[AGPank]

Saw som CLs on archery talk for $700. Some EL (non-sv) too price was a little high.


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[LostArra]

If you are on a budget, the sightron blue sky 8x is fantastic.

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+1 Outstanding value


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[mtwarden]

almost a year later- has anyone had their hands on a CL companion?

 

[Shraggs]

Yes! And I’m working damn hard to find a way to buy them ASAP and sell my old. They are so good, really close to the EL. The original version wasn’t for me, this a whole new bino basically.

My current on the go/timber/archery bino is the swar 8x30 slc new (2010 production). Still an amazing piece of glass, but as my prescription has changed the 15mm eye relief is not enough. I have tried many in this class that can match or exceed the optical performance, give enough eye relief and be at or below 20 oz. the old cl wasn’t close optically... Meopta was but same eye relief issues, conquest heavy, Leica heavy and short eye relief. Of course el’s are great and at 21 oz, but the price for the niche I’m not ready to do. The only other that meets my needs is the Zeiss victory, nice glass (like my 8x42) and under 20 oz, but the price.

I feel my search is over, the new companion checks all the boxes for me. Resolution is on par with my slc. When I got past 400 yards the cl had a very slight resolution edge - equaling the el. They are slightly brighter than my slc and equal to my eye to the el. The fov improvement is marked very close to the slc, 396 vs 405. The el’s 430 I believe is noticeable in viewing. Cl is <$1200 vs $2200 ish for el or the victory is a no brainer. I don’t feel the that there is twice the performance. most importantly for me is an eye box the works for eye glasses and at 17 oz.

John