Best compact Binocular in $1000.00 price category

[Wyfox]

I’m surprised to see Leica still gets so many recommendations. Their glass may be great but I know of too many examples of them getting sent back and Leica charging for the work that should be under warranty or not needed at all with other brands. Leica also happens to be the only scope I’ve had fail. It wouldn’t hold vertical zero

Good to know, first I've heard that. All the Leica's I've used are 10+ years old

 

[375Fox]

Good to know, first I've heard that. All the Leica's I've used are 10+ years old

I’ve brought 1 set back to Africa for a PH that was fixed up and the PH I just recently hunted with will be sending his in for a 2nd time and likely selling after that. Interesting the two trackers on this recent hunt had Leupold binoculars that held up to use much better even if initial glass quality wasn’t on the same as Leica.

 

[cajunchefray]

Meopta 8x32, we have 3 pairs that were made for Cabela's Instinct Euro line. I compared them to Zeiss and Swarovski and felt they were sharper and brighter that the Zeiss and as good as the Swarovski (at that price point) I don't think they are available from Cabela's now, but Euro optics might be able to help.

Another vote for Meopta 8x32. I have the MeoPro version in use for about 8 years. These are my all around, use when hunting the thick woods here, and carry in my truck when I go to the farm.

The in-focus depth of field, sharp image, eye relief, and color rendition is excellent. They are not Swarovski but are damn nice.

The only problem I've had is when I clumsily dropped them at the range, from 5.5 feet (the height of my shooting sticks) onto concrete. Knocked them out of alignment.
Sent them in to Meopta USA for service and a price quote. I received a brand new pair within a week.
Now I'm looking at the 10x42 for a little more detail watching birds (It's like a John J Audobon paradise in my area of South Louisiana)
I'm not a "bird watcher" just fascinated with various wildlife.
Cabelas Euro HD by Meopta 8x32 are available on E Bay.
Meopta optics are a great value.

 

[dogcat1]

Swarovski SLC 8x30

 

[Dirtdart]

I gave the Zeiss Victory 10x20 or 25's a go, can't remember exactly which. With such a small bino I found the Leica Ultravid 8x20 more usable than the Zeiss but neither worked for me.

I picked up a GPO 8x32 rangefinding bino that I use when I don't want to carry my 10x42 Leica Geovid or Zeiss Victory. Very satisfied so far with the GPO 8x32.

 

[OxfordTheCat]

Not anywhere close to the price point you're after, but I feel compelled to note that I have nothing but good things to say about the Pentax Papilio II.

I much prefer to tote them around the bush than the Steiner 7x50s I have.

Very well priced, fit in a pocket or small pouch, and won't cost you a kudu trophy fee to replace when they get dinged or dropped. I have them for hunting, but also a pair for around the house and another that lives in the glovebox.

 

[Russ16]

For compact I tend to like 8 power and the Swarovski’s are great.

 

[yamoon]

As far as very compact I Love my Swarovski 10x20 pocket. I have an older pair of pocket Zeiss, ho hum.

I’ve have had a pair of Swarovski 10x20s for many years, love them, you can tuck them in your shirt or jacket breast pocket to keep them from swinging when not using them.
Mike

 

[steve white]

I have a set of Leica ultravid 8x20's that I would sell for $475 shipped if that interests you.

Better take him up on it--ultravids are the best 8x20 I've ever looked through.

When I want to read the most knit-picking reviews on optics, I go to BirdForum. Those people are koo-koo for cocoa puffs about their binoculars. I have read great reviews there about the UV Leicas, (and many others)

 

[Cme1983]

I really like my Maven 10x30s. I’ve had around 5 years. The glass is very good and feel very solidly built. The B series are their higher end line and made in US with Japanese parts.

Hard to beat the mavens for the money. Not much difference between my pair of maven and pair my of swaros.

 

[Nhoro]

I have had good service from Nikon binoculars. Currently have 4 sets in the family, oldest are about 14 years old and still going strong. My boys have had the cheap Aculon bingos for about 10 years and they are hard on all equipment. So whatever the price point, they are good. For cheaper bingos, I don’t think they can be beaten.

 

[Luger00]

Tract makes some of the best bino's for the money, bar none. I sold my Swaro's for my Tract's.

 

[Rubberhead]

I'm a hunter and serious birder (bird watcher). Back in 2020, I bought a set of Zeiss 8x25 Terra EDs to keep handy. I have fallen in love with them. I use them for everything now. They are only around $400 but wow.

 

[Luvthunt]

Read the above comment on Leica and the ones I have for about 10 years have given good service and I use them everyday.
They are the Trinovid 10x25 BCA.
Have two pairs of top line Zeiss but I tend to grab the Leica

 

[HankBuck]

Is it just Me, I’ve Never used a “good” small compact “pocket size” binocular (below 30mm Objective). I thought the ones I’ve tried (Zeiss) were a waste of $$ and worse/far inferior than any cheap full size Tasco or Bushnell.
I admit that I gave up quickly looking for a good compact/pocket size that replicates the image & clarity of a 30-40mm size. Now, I don’t go below 30mm and usually carry an 8x40 or 10x40 - I deal with the extra bulk to get the performance I want. The exception is when I’m bow hunting whitetail in close range situations and not trying to judge a trophy from 200-500 yrds away - compass ts seem to work trying to peer through the woods and see if that deer “has antlers or not”.

 

[steve white]

Is it just Me, I’ve Never used a “good” small compact “pocket size” binocular (below 30mm Objective). I thought the ones I’ve tried (Zeiss) were a waste of $$ and worse/far inferior than any cheap full size Tasco or Bushnell.
I admit that I gave up quickly looking for a good compact/pocket size that replicates the image & clarity of a 30-40mm size. Now, I don’t go below 30mm and usually carry an 8x40 or 10x40 - I deal with the extra bulk to get the performance I want. The exception is when I’m bow hunting whitetail in close range situations and not trying to judge a trophy from 200-500 yrds away - compass ts seem to work trying to peer through the woods and see if that deer “has antlers or not”.

One fellow on BirdForum said of the Leica Ultravid 8x20, "I almost thought I was looking through a pair of mid-sized cheaper binoculars." He meant it as a compliment. Yes, the compacts struggle to keep up with the performance of the larger glass, but that is exactly why you want the best in a compact IF you are going to use one. Your observation is exactly right. In that sense, the emperor has no clothes!

Lots of the squabbling over binoculars has nothing to do with resolution of detail or contrast (my favorite measurements) but rather over how smooth is the focusing, ergonomic the handling, speed of the focus wheel, the weight, how wide is the viewing angle, how well do the hinges function, or how easy to pick up an object quickly, etc., etc., etc. There will never be a "perfect" bino. And when you think you have found one it will have a weak frame, like the Noctivid!

 

[steve white]

I'm a hunter and serious birder (bird watcher). Back in 2020, I bought a set of Zeiss 8x25 Terra EDs to keep handy. I have fallen in love with them. I use them for everything now. They are only around $400 but wow.

And that is proof positive that a Chinese made binocular can be great IF the design and quality control is of the highest standard. (as in, enforced by Zeiss)

 

[Altitude sickness]

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[baxterb]

Always keep in mind that exit pupil (the diameter of the image coming out of the lens) will drop with objective size which can seriously impact your experience with binos. A 10x25 will only have a 2.5mm exit pupil whereas an 8x32 will be 4mm and a 10x42 4.2 mm.