Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 292
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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I have tried an assortment of mini bins. The ones I like the clear bright view are the Bushnell Custom 7x26, the Minolta 10x25 Activa FM, a discontinued Minox 8x reverse porro. The Celestron Regal 10x25 is pretty good. There is one for sale here on Ebay.
Also, the Pentax Papilio 6.5x is very special. It is useful in museums and also at botanical gardens! It is also helpful in retail stores for things inside glass showcases. I have not tried a Nikon Prostaff. It is hard to find them used and cheap...
The total reflection in Porro prisims makes the reverse Porro among the brightest. I wish the manufacturers would raise the game in the construction!
For some reason, the Pentax 8x32 SP is not as good as the reverse Porros. It is heavy too.
So far the guys have gone to the best of the best. Yes, they are the ones that the manufacturers have done what was necessary to make them good. I keep looking for cheaper ones. In this rainy day of the economy, I have seen those expensive ones go for half or less used! I saw a Nikon 10x25 LXL go for around 250.
Rob.
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Rick
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 3045
Loc: Tokyo, Japan
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Scott I think the Pentax 9x28 DCF LV is your ticket,
http://www.adorama.com/PX928LV.html
If you search using the Bing Cashback engine you can save a little more too.
I was quite impressed with these when I was testing in the store last week.
cheers,
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12895
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< I saw a Nikon 10x25 LXL go for around 250. >
$250 US for a Nikon 10 x 25 LXL is the best bargain I've heard of for a top drawer true compact bin .
That's less than half the price you'd get a compact bin of that quality for in the UK .
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37175
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Rick those 9X28 Pentax bins are looking really good right now.
I will run a few searches for reviews on them.
Thanks to everyone who has replied and if you have new suggestions please keep them coming.
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   SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37175
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Not much info on their performance, but they look like they will fit my needs. If not, they can be sold and I can always find a new option later.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4938
Loc: MA
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Comparing 8x20 Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, and Nikon LXL, I chose Nikon.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12895
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Scott ,
The Pentax 9 x 28 is out of stock at Amazon .
Eagle Optics have them in stock , but at $219.
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37175
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Adorama had them out of stock at $169.00. Dang LOL
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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mooreorless
Just worried
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cornpropst Mills,Huntingdon,Pa
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Hi Scott, Here is some information I found. I forgot I had posted about this on BF.:-) Good luck finding what you want.
Regards,Steve
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Regards,Steve M
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37175
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Steve. Good info. 
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I liked, but sold, a pair of Leupold Yosemite 6x30
I bought them for $89 new.
I also like, but have sent out on loan (for more than a year now) pentax papillio 6.5x21. Very compact. Paid $95 new.
Although certainly doable, I wouldn't consider them astronomy binoculars.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37175
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Ed. Another case of too many options. 
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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