Low Zoom, Wide FOV Binos

[ChrisAU]

Another vote for the Kowa 6.5s when you don't need a RF in your bino. I'm the guy who thinks I should have something more expensive, but I can't find anything with a better overall package. The FOV, weight, and size are all elite. Price is unbeatable. Glass is more than fine for everything I need to do with them and I often note just how good they are, I've never looked through them and thought I needed any better.

 

[StupidLightweight]

The Kowa 6x5x32s sound great. I need to try them out.

 

[PathFinder]

It sounds like the wide FOV, lower mag binos are themselves a very effective piece of gear. Might have to get my hands on some to see if they're worth the potential trade-offs on the higher mag end of things. Right now, I carry NL 12x for an everything, Goldilocks binocular. There are times when it would be beneficial to have a wider FOV, and times when a pair of 15x/18x would be advantageous. But I'm a weight weenie, so having one pair of binos that covers everything quite well has been nice. For higher magnification I've carried an STS 65 with a 30x eyepiece. It generally goes along for any deer hunt, plus the odd goat/sheep hunt.
Weight-wise, the downside for me would be considering 15x binos to be mandatory alongside the low magnification ones. Maybe for some elk or bear hunts they'd get left behind, but for almost everything else the 15x would be in the pack. The secondary kicker to that is it almost completely negates the likelihood of taking the spotter also. Probably need to just play with some to decide. I have some old Habicht 8x30, but their FOV isn't really any wider than the 12x NL.

 

[4th_point]

It sounds like the wide FOV, lower mag binos are themselves a very effective piece of gear. Might have to get my hands on some to see if they're worth the potential trade-offs on the higher mag end of things. Right now, I carry NL 12x for an everything, Goldilocks binocular. There are times when it would be beneficial to have a wider FOV, and times when a pair of 15x/18x would be advantageous. But I'm a weight weenie, so having one pair of binos that covers everything quite well has been nice. For higher magnification I've carried an STS 65 with a 30x eyepiece. It generally goes along for any deer hunt, plus the odd goat/sheep hunt.
Weight-wise, the downside for me would be considering 15x binos to be mandatory alongside the low magnification ones. Maybe for some elk or bear hunts they'd get left behind, but for almost everything else the 15x would be in the pack. The secondary kicker to that is it almost completely negates the likelihood of taking the spotter also. Probably need to just play with some to decide. I have some old Habicht 8x30, but their FOV isn't really any wider than the 12x NL.

I really like 8x, 7x, and 6x binocs in general. Have used several 10x, but keep going back to 8x. I have an 8x32 that I really like for size and weight, paired with a 15x.

Whether 6-8x will work for you will depend on your particular vision. And if you go 32mm, you'll be limited in resolution.

I compared a bunch of binocs side-by-side, and none of the 32mm could resolve as much detail as upper end 40-42, under all conditions. That includes the 8x32 NL Pure. The best were the 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL Pure. They could out resolve all the 32mm, but also lower priced 8x42mm like the Viper and Conquest.

For fun, I included the 10x32mm NL Pure. The extra 2x mag didn't help compared to all the 8x. Image appeared bigger, but couldn't resolve what the 8x40 SFL and 8x42 NL Pure could.

 

[DavidReed]

Look at the Leica Ultravid 7x42. They are a sleeper that punches well above their weight with a compact package, excellent ergos, and glass that is second to none.

 

[Moccasin]

Look at the Leica Ultravid 7x42. They are a sleeper that punches well above their weight with a compact package, excellent ergos, and glass that is second to none.

The Leica UVHD+ 7x42 are incredible binos if you don’t need a laser. Small dimensions for a -42, 27 ish oz and the FOV is 420’ - one of the largest until the NL Pures came to be. I’ve seen them in the classifieds for very good prices- higher entry than the Kowa, but still exceptional binos.

 

[Klooop]

I don't know the higher end optics like a lot others here (and I probably wouldn't be as discerning either), but in general I really like lower mag/larger FOV/brighter image.

Example: I have a pair of 8x Nikon porro prism binoculars that look better to me than my 10x Vipers and are a fraction of the price. Good enough glass and massive FOV by comparison. I just don't take them hunting because they are bulky and don't fit in a bino harness, so I constantly battle them getting wet and fogged up.

Hand holding an 8x is easier than 10x as well.
I wouldn't be worried with dropping a little further in magnification if it were the right product with good FOV and a bright image.

 

[sandhillhunter]

I’ve been using Meopta 8x32s for a few years. Mainly carry them in my bino harness and then have bigger glass in my pack.

Mine are the version before the newer Meostar.

I’ve been very happy with them.

I’d like to see the Leicas side by side to compare. I had thought about upgrading to Swaros of a similar size but these are good for what I need them for.


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