Zeiss 8x25 Victory for all day glassing?

[running&hunting]

I am planning a backcountry hunt that is a repeat from last year and the hike is brutal (about 7 miles in just to set up camp then hunt from there) with the possibility of packing out multiple animals solo. It was rough last year and am cutting weight in every area that I can and have now considered picking up the Zeiss 8x25 Victory or the Maven B3 8x32 binoculars for this rifle hunt as well as for all sorts of future archery or backcountry hunts. My question is how well does the 8x25 perform if glassing with it all day? Is it going to cause headaches or eye strain from the small pupil diameter? Would you want to sit behind this glass for a week in the backcountry? Or would the eye comfort be worth an extra 5-6 ounces to go with the Mavens and gain some extra time at shooting light? Any experience or advice is gladly appreciated. One thing thing to note, most of the glassing distance is about 400-600 yards up to 1,000 yards. Primarily for black bear and blacktail deer but I would want to use these for all sorts of other hunts if they are comfortable.

 

[Ajsomp]

I am planning a backcountry hunt that is a repeat from last year and the hike is brutal (about 7 miles in just to set up camp then hunt from there) with the possibility of packing out multiple animals solo. It was rough last year and am cutting weight in every area that I can and have now considered picking up the Zeiss 8x25 Victory or the Maven B3 8x32 binoculars for this rifle hunt as well as for all sorts of future archery or backcountry hunts. My question is how well does the 8x25 perform if glassing with it all day? Is it going to cause headaches or eye strain from the small pupil diameter? Would you want to sit behind this glass for a week in the backcountry? Or would the eye comfort be worth an extra 5-6 ounces to go with the Mavens and gain some extra time at shooting light? Any experience or advice is gladly appreciated. One thing thing to note, most of the glassing distance is about 400-600 yards up to 1,000 yards. Primarily for black bear and blacktail deer but I would want to use these for all sorts of other hunts if they are comfortable.

There’s another thread on low power binos, but I’d look hard at the Kowa bdii 6.5x or a set of swaros for pure glassing. If you really don’t need range finding (or plan to run a separate RF) that’s what I might suggest.

I’ve got a set of 8x40 GPOs but I’ve only run them one season so I don’t have a ton of time behind them. They are RF so it keeps me from needing a separate RF

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I own the 8x25 VP’s and they are amazing for what they are. I’ve regretted bringing them on sheep hunts where I’ve needed to spend hours a day behind them. They are better suited for observing something, not finding something.
Go with a 30-32mm binocular with a wide field of view & larger exit pupil for all day glassing comfort.

The Maven B3 8x30 or the Kowa BD11 6.5x32 are both great options for a lightweight bino that are both comfortable to use and suitable for glassing the distances that you described. They’re affordable as well.

 

[running&hunting]

I own the 8x25 VP’s and they are amazing for what they are. I’ve regretted bringing them on sheep hunts where I’ve needed to spend hours a day behind them. They are better suited for observing something, not finding something.
Go with a 30-32mm binocular with a wide field of view & larger exit pupil for all day glassing comfort.

The Maven B3 8x30 or the Kowa BD11 6.5x32 are both great options for a lightweight bino that are both comfortable to use and suitable for glassing the distances that you described. They’re affordable as well.

That is valuable insight, thank you.

 

[running&hunting]

There’s another thread on low power binos, but I’d look hard at the Kowa bdii 6.5x or a set of swaros for pure glassing. If you really don’t need range finding (or plan to run a separate RF) that’s what I might suggest.

I’ve got a set of 8x40 GPOs but I’ve only run them one season so I don’t have a ton of time behind them. They are RF so it keeps me from needing a separate RF

Do you ever miss the 8x when you had the 6.5? Thanks for the advice!