· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) xtar member Reged: 12/08/11 Loc: SE TX Any hot new favorites in small binoculars?       #5009126 - 01/09/12 03:03 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, I've been dutifully digging through all of the small binocular reviews and I have noticed that so many of the preferred ones aren't available anymore, while lots of new models don't have a forum mention. I am preferring low power light weight wide angle types as a starhopping aid, minor use casual birding. Since this would not be a principle stargazing tool I don't think I need premium optics, but they would spend a lot of time hanging from a neck strap so 25 oz. or less is better. Also I prefer shorter eye relief since I don't wear glasses. I am leaning towards the Leupold 7x30 Yosemite. All ideas very much appreciated! Post Extras:       bodypuncher member Reged: 10/10/11 Loc: Connecticut, USA Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: xtar]       #5009138 - 01/09/12 03:11 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   "New" to me..."Nikon Action 7x35 Ultra Wide" binoculars. Low price, very solid feel, reputable company/warranty. I find the clarity to be very good for star viewing. I have only one other pair of 7X to compare to- decades old - so I have nothing among new models to compare the Nikons to. Post Extras:       Zdee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/20/10 Loc: North Carolina, USA Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: xtar]       #5009156 - 01/09/12 03:20 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   You might want to consider a Nikon AE 7x35. There are also quite a few vintage wide angle 7x35s on ebay. Post Extras:       Mark9473 Postmaster Reged: 07/21/05 Loc: 51°N 4°E Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Zdee]       #5009208 - 01/09/12 03:59 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My vote goes to the Nikon Action VII 7x35. Post Extras:       contrailmaker Pooh-Bah Reged: 01/02/09 Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Mark9473]       #5010006 - 01/10/12 01:09 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am very impressed with my Bushnell Excursion 7x36. I bought them with the intention of using them in the day time but ended up using them a lot at night to complement my rich field refractor. They are very sharp with a 5.1mm exit pupil and generous eye relief. I compared them against the Yosemite and the Nikon Action and thought the Bushnells were better all around. They also get a lot of use when I go hiking and birdwatching. cm Edited by contrailmaker (01/10/12 01:25 AM) Post Extras:       Binojunky Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/25/10 Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: contrailmaker]       #5010131 - 01/10/12 06:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The yosemite is made in 6x30 and 8x30 sizes not 7x30, this binocular is available with other names on it, such as Celestron, Vortex etc, take a look at the Atlas Radian roof prism in the 8x42 size, this is a house brand from Eagle Optics and sells for about $120,comes with all the bells and whistles such as waterproof, fogproof, phase coatings etc, Dave. Post Extras:       xtar member Reged: 12/08/11 Loc: SE TX Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Binojunky]       #5010339 - 01/10/12 09:48 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thank you all, very good suggestions. I was glazing over reading too many reviews (thus the nonexistent 7x30s). I find myself coming back often to the ZRS HD 8x42 due to good FOV for 8x. I really like roof designs for the profile and weight. I wish I could test out some but that doesn't seem to be an option here. My only real concern among the choices is blackout due to too much eye relief. Post Extras:       mmclure professor emeritus Reged: 12/30/10 Loc: Sacramento, CA USA Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: xtar]       #5010665 - 01/10/12 01:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Depending on your price range, the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x42 might be an option. My wife has a pair of these bought for birding after a lot of research and they are excellent. They come in at just under 22oz. They have good eye relief but also have adjustable eyecups for non-glasses users. Post Extras:       Alan French Night Owl Reged: 01/28/05 Loc: Upstate NY Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: mmclure]       #5010745 - 01/10/12 01:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Perhaps a bit larger than you're looking for, but since 8x42s have been mentioned, this review might be of interest. And some of the top rated models might have smaller siblings. Clear skies, Alan Post Extras:       coolhand68 newbie Reged: 12/24/11 Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Alan French]       #5010813 - 01/10/12 02:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just picked up a pair of the Nikon Action 7x35 as a gift for my brother. I tested them out in the store and when I got home and they are remarkably clear and sharp for a $60 pair of binoculars. If you don't need a waterproof set, I highly recommend them. Post Extras:       223ackley member Reged: 12/31/10 Loc: Central Indiana Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: coolhand68]       #5010868 - 01/10/12 03:10 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just bought the Vortex 6.5X32 Fury for $130. At that price they are outstanding. If you can't find those, then these might be a good alternative.Vortex Viper 6x32 Bruce Post Extras:       FrankKD member Reged: 09/10/08 Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: 223ackley]       #5012206 - 01/11/12 12:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   CLNY also has the 7x36 Diamondback for $99 right now. Also, from what I remember, Leupold doesn't make a 7x30 Yosemite. They do have a 6x30 and an 8x30. There are also several "clones" of this model currently on the market. Examples would be the Celestron Nature, Barska Deep Sea, Kowa YF, Olivon WP, Vortex Raptor, Eagle Optics Kingbird (former model was Raven), Opticron Savannah, etc... As for me, I went the Zdee route and have been buying many of the 7x35 EWAs on ebay. What a visual experience they provide! Post Extras:       Scott Beith SRF Reged: 11/26/03 Loc: Frederick, MD Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: FrankKD]       #5012396 - 01/11/12 03:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2671 10X42 http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2598 8.5X26 These might help. Post Extras:       xtar member Reged: 12/08/11 Loc: SE TX Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Scott Beith]       #5013500 - 01/12/12 08:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thank you again for all of these excellent tips. I have found some very helpful information on another forum about my big concern, which is *too much eye relief*. Here is the quote- "The only reason I got rid of my 8x42 ZRS HD is because I don't wear glasses and I had to hold the binos slightly away from my eyes to avoid blackouts. I don't have that problem with the 10x42 ZRSHD." OK now I am getting somewhere. The stated ER for the ZRSHD 8x42 is 17.3 mm. The stated ER for the 10x42 is 15.2 mm. So to be on the safe side I want no more than 16 mm ER, which thins the herd tremendously. I know that it depends on eyepiece recess and cup height also, but my 20x60 Pentax with ER of 21 mm gives me blackouts with the eyecups fully extended if handheld (this is ok since these are tripod binocs). So I am sticking with *LOW ER* as a major factor. Post Extras:       Zdee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/20/10 Loc: North Carolina, USA Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: xtar]       #5013523 - 01/12/12 09:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If too much eye relief is your primary concern, a pair of vintage/classic wide angle 7x35s or 8x40s may be your best bet. I own several pairs of older binocs; the eye relief is much shorter (usually around 10mm). Post Extras:       Zdee Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/20/10 Loc: North Carolina, USA Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Zdee]       #5013565 - 01/12/12 09:51 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Also, the Nikon Action VII mentioned above by Mark has a specified eye relief of 12mm. Post Extras:       Andresin150 Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/14/07 Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Zdee]       #5013660 - 01/12/12 10:49 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm intrigued by the 6x30 and 8x30YF Kowa binoculars. My dad wants something very light and not expensive... Post Extras:       Binojunky Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/25/10 Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Andresin150]       #5013704 - 01/12/12 11:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   These are exactly the same as the Yosemite other than a slight cosmetic difference, also these are sold as the Celestron Nature plus several other names on them, they are light with very respectable optics, however my pair of Yosemites developed a problem after short use, a floppy centre hinge, they were replaced under warrenty by Leupold with super service though I had to pay shipping both ways from Canada,so the bargain binocular was no longer that inexpensive, Dave. Post Extras:       Andresin150 Pooh-Bah Reged: 08/14/07 Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Binojunky]       #5013769 - 01/12/12 11:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Well, that's not exactly good news. When I first read about those I got the impression they where an exclusive designed model from Kowa, which had in mind also very young users. Post Extras:       223ackley member Reged: 12/31/10 Loc: Central Indiana Re: Any hot new favorites in small binoculars? [Re: Andresin150]       #5013969 - 01/12/12 01:55 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   These are a really hot topic at BirdForum. Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32 Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 6 registered and 40 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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