Low Zoom, Wide FOV Binos

[StupidLightweight]

Interestingly, I bought a set of MiniASTRO 5x25mm wide angle binos for my kids. The field of view is listed at 15.8 degrees (829 feet at 1,000 yards.) For the price I paid ($79), they are way better than expected, though I must take off my glasses to see the full field.

I thought they would be fun for my toddlers to play with, but they're good enough that i'd have no problem using them for still hunting in timber. The FOV is unlike anything i've used.

 

[Coleredding00]

I’ve used the Kowa BDII 6.5’s for a couple of years. Originally they were for spring bear and glassing while mountainsides. However, they quickly became my favorite pair of pure binoculars and stay in the truck.



Kowa BDII 6.5x32mm XD.



Yes they do. Seen a tripod and you can watch entire hillsides through them without moving. They are fantastic for this.




No RF is it primarily. If the had an RF inside, they would be my primary binoculars.




Work frets for finding deer. At most range you can judge deer well enough, but they are 6.5x binos.

Do you ever end up feeling like the 6.5 isn't enough? I am torn between 6.5 and 8.

 

[Formidilosus]

Do you ever end up feeling like the 6.5 isn't enough? I am torn between 6.5 and 8.

Nope. Not for what I use them for.

 

[Coleredding00]

Nope. Not for what I use them for.

I normally use Fury 10x and find myself feeling claustrophobic so I want more FOV for instances when I dont need an LRF.. but I dont know how far to go on that scale... 525 feet on the 6.5 is craxy, but I keep wondering if I will feel hobbled the other direction if I dont stick with the 8x32 or 42... They are on sale right now, maybe I will pick up both, LOL.

 

[ChrisAU]

Maybe this will make sense - if I see something with my bare eyes and want more information, whether I think I saw movement or I know it’s an animal, I’ve never pulled up the 6.5 Kowas and wished I had more.

But if I’m using them to try to find something I haven’t seen yet, I do. That’s when an 8x or 10x comes in to play. Glassing on a tripod? 8x or 10x. Any other use the 6.5’s have been money. I won’t take them western rifle hunting, that is Revic BR10 territory. Archery hunting? Or even Eastern rifle hunting? 6.5’s and a standalone RF make a killer combo IMO.

 

[Coleredding00]

Maybe this will make sense - if I see something with my bare eyes and want more information, whether I think I saw movement or I know it’s an animal, I’ve never pulled up the 6.5 Kowas and wished I had more.

But if I’m using them to try to find something I haven’t seen yet, I do. That’s when an 8x or 10x comes in to play. Glassing on a tripod? 8x or 10x. Any other use the 6.5’s have been money. I won’t take them western rifle hunting, that is Revic BR10 territory. Archery hunting? Or even Eastern rifle hunting? 6.5’s and a standalone RF make a killer combo IMO.

hmm. Yeah my use would be as a chest bino for shed hunting/ when I am not the shooter hunting. I am from utah so my glassing can be sub 1000 yards in tight canyons or miles...

 

[ChrisAU]

hmm. Yeah my use would be as a chest bino for shed hunting/ when I am not the shooter hunting. I am from utah so my glassing can be sub 1000 yards in tight canyons or miles...

Both of those use cases don’t seem right for the 6.5’s, but they don’t seem right for any wide FOV low power bino IMO.

 

[Coleredding00]

Both of those use cases don’t seem right for the 6.5’s, but they don’t seem right for any wide FOV low power bino IMO.

I have always used 10 and 12x42s. Hunting partner recently got a pair of 8x42 razor UHDs and I have came around to the lower power binoculars after some use. Just dont want to go too far the other way and not get the detail I need for glassing for bedded game.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

After using the Kowa 6.5’s for a while, I’ve grown to really love them. Grabbing my NL 10x32’s, the image shake is pretty bad comparatively. The only time I feel I need 10x is for sheep hunting though, otherwise I’d be all in on 8x and below alpha binos.

 

[Coleredding00]

After using the Kowa 6.5’s for a while, I’ve grown to really love them. Grabbing my NL 10x32’s, the image shake is pretty bad comparatively. The only time I feel I need 10x is for sheep hunting though, otherwise I’d be all in on 8x and below alpha binos.

I’m really on the fence between the 6.5x32, 8x32 or 8x42 kowas…

 

[JGRaider]

The 8x32 Razor UHD puts the Kowa 6.5x glass to shame, and still has a 470'+ FOV. The UHD boast SLC class glass ( I have them both).

 

[antlerz]

The 6.5 kowa is excellent performance for the $. The FOV is not fully available as it becomes out of focus toward the edges. This is less noticeable in brighter conditions (when your eye is less dilated) and the 6.5 is stunning when used in these conditions. My 8.5EL is still the go-to for hunting with even better low light performance, amazing sharp FOV, and incredible on the tripod. The 8.5 has been the one that never left me wanting more.
I would consider the Zeiss 8x40sfl if wanting the smaller/lighter form factor with alpha optics.