Vortex Spitfire 8.5x32 (1 Viewer)

Hi everyone,
I have just been looking for a cheap, small, lightweight pair of binoculars as a spare pair for keeping in the car/lending to non-birder friends so they don't keep asking to use mine (such a pain in the proverbial to keep changing IP distance, turning eyecups in/out, etc).
I have seen these on the internet and they seem great. Has anyone tried them and would like to give me an opinion?
I think it will be a choice between these and Opticron Discovery 8x32. Both very light and small but I wonder if there is much difference optically.
Thanks for any help.
Martin.

Martin,

Why not the Leupold Yosemites either 6X or 8X?

I think Bushnell Excursion 8x32 would be better in that price class.

I don't believe they are phase coated. They are not expensive and are lightweight and easy for a novice to use. A worry free loaner.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-spitfire-8-5x32-binocular

Bob

Hi everyone,

thanks for the suggestions but compared to the Discovery and Spitfire those others are quite a bit heavier and weight is an issue for me. Most of the friends I take birding have complained about the weight of bins around their neck.
The Discoverys are an incredible 391 grammes (don't know what that is in ounces). They have a plastic body rather than metal.
The Spitfires are 541 grammes. I don't want to go any higher in weight than that but I'll go for the Spitfires if they are optically better than the Discoverys.

I am now also considering Hawke Endurance 8x32 which are 430 grammes. Does anyone know what these are like?

Unfortunately there are no stockists near me that stock more than one model each so comparing them side by side is impossible.

Best wishes,
Martin.

Go for the Discovery then. See it in store if possible.