Best Low Light 8 X 32 Binocular (1 Viewer)

I just spent two weeks in the wilds of Costa Rica and can tell you that a good 32 [Conquest HD] is consistently outgunned by a good 42 [HT] - for brightness, veiling glare, contrast, ease of view etc. I was pretty amazed at how much better the 42 was at seeing detail in the canopy, especially when light was adverse.

Maybe for ''regular birding'' use a good 32 will fit the bill, but as a one-and-only, in the toughest viewing conditions, I need a good 42.

In that vein, I would say that any 32 mm binoc. is not the best birding binocular in the world................cue Dennis.

ceasar said:

Terry Wieland... qualified it by saying that the 8x32 had to be top quality also saying that "Cheap binoculars wear out good hunting boots!"

Bob

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As a non-hunter smack in the middle of hunting country I see the logic (and HUMOR) in that!

David

james holdsworth said:

I just spent two weeks in the wilds of Costa Rica and can tell you that a good 32 [Conquest HD] is consistently outgunned by a good 42 [HT] - for brightness, veiling glare, contrast, ease of view etc. I was pretty amazed at how much better the 42 was at seeing detail in the canopy, especially when light was adverse.

Maybe for ''regular birding'' use a good 32 will fit the bill, but as a one-and-only, in the toughest viewing conditions, I need a good 42.

In that vein, I would say that any 32 mm binoc. is not the best birding binocular in the world................cue Dennis.

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Have to concur with that.

The best 32mm bins will beat many mid-table 42mm bins... but the best 42mm will outperform them every time. When I'm ambling around the patch, or packing light for a trip I'll consider a (good) smaller binocular for convenience... but when the chips are down I'll pretty much always reach for my 42mm SLC HD.

james holdsworth said:

I just spent two weeks in the wilds of Costa Rica and can tell you that a good 32 [Conquest HD] is consistently outgunned by a good 42 [HT] - for brightness, veiling glare, contrast, ease of view etc. I was pretty amazed at how much better the 42 was at seeing detail in the canopy, especially when light was adverse.

Maybe for ''regular birding'' use a good 32 will fit the bill, but as a one-and-only, in the toughest viewing conditions, I need a good 42.

In that vein, I would say that any 32 mm binoc. is not the best birding binocular in the world................cue Dennis.

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Almost every guide I have had in Costa Rica has had a 32mm mostly Leica Trinovids. That tells you something. I have never felt I needed more aperture under the canopy. As long as that aperture has Swaro coatings on it. It depends on your age somewhat also. You are comparing a mid-tier 32mm to an alpha 42mm also which is not a valid comparison. Of course you are going to see more detail with an HT than a Conquest HD I don't care what the aperture is.

Just my opinion [and what I see in the field], but I would think the 8.5x42 SV would have some of the same advantages over the 32 SV.

If there was no advantage to a 42 mm, then no one would buy one and they wouldn't even bother producing them. There is a big difference between the ''easiest to carry binocular'' or ''most convenient binocular'' as opposed to the ''best birding binocular.''

I'm sure some people [that can handle them] would say a good 8x56 trumps them all...........

best low light 8 x 32 binocular

Anansi said:

What is the best low light 8 x 32 binocular? I will be using it in mountains and deserts.

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I cannot speak for the Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD bins but I have experience of the Zeiss 8x32 FL and the Swarovski Swarovision 8x32 EL.

I bought the Zeiss 8x32 FL and was very pleased with the optics and feel and balance which were excellent. Unfortunately I found the focus wheel stiffer than I liked and perhaps because of this there was also a tendency for the focus wheel, which is made of soft-ish rubber, to ease out causing the dioptre adjustment to be lost. I subsequently found that these issues have been reported by other users. So with some regret I had to send the Zeiss 8x32s back and replace them with the Swarovski Swarovision 8x32 EL. These I have found to be excellent, their optical clarity, lightness and handling make these the bins the ones that I use during most of the day. The only criticism I would make is reserved for the case which although well made, is rather large and cavernous for a small light pair of bins and also has dual zip fastening which I find more fiddly that the single clasp on the Zeiss case.