Compact Bins under $160USD (1 Viewer)

Hello,

Any good compacts out there in this price range? I ran across a Bushnell 9x25 Legend roof prism bin, has pc-3 phase coatings. Only $154 at B&H is this bino any good, or is there better for the money? Thanks in advance.

I too have seen this in 8x25 roof prism and would also like to know about it. I read somewhere online that the depth of field is not so good, but that is what you have to get used to with roof prisms at the cheaper end of the market. Still, this is the pay off for price and size.

Hi Boznia,

I just noticed you already had a thread going with a similar subject, I didnt even think to look.

FYI, I went on the Bushnell website and nowhere on the site does it say that the 9x25 legends have pc-3 phase coatings. Also on most other web based optics distributors does it mention this. Only Eagle optics has this in their description.

I was also looking at the pentax 10x25 UCF-X which on Eagle optics sight is supposed to have aspherical elements in the lenses. However again when I go to Pentax's sight they say nothing about Aspherical elements in these optics.

I dont know if this is a misprint in both cases, but be warned.

I have decided to go with the Pentax 10x28 Roofs. They are compact, have huge objectives for a compact bino, phase coated, and last but not least they have waterproofing among other things. Found them online for $200 + $20 shipping.

I know they are a little more than I wanted to spend, but they really had everything I was looking for. I will update you with a performance report!

Good birding!

Has anyone tried to look through the Minolta 8x25 Activa D-WP-XL (http://www.minoltausa.com/eprise/ma...fname=bino_activa&Mname=Activa_D_WP_XL_Pocket)?

They can be found for only $ 115 on the net and seem to be a good deal based on the provided specifications.

I have recently acquired a pair of Bausch and Lomb 8X24 Waterproof Porro prism binoculars. They are fantastic, particularly being able to focus down to under 6 feet (great for butterflys). I bought them from B&H mail order and paid only $115. They are now my preferred bins being 8x magnification they are much steadier than my 10x. Living on the west coast of Ireland the waterproofing comes in very handy! I'm not sure but I think Bausch and Lomb and Bushnell have some kind of tie up.
Hope this helps

I have no trouble with Bushnells, but the ones I have are not very bright. I have 8x and a pair of 12x that I carry because they are small. 12x are useable if you get fairly narrow field. Does not give that seasickness effect when you move them. I use them always when the bird is far and the higher quality 8x does not show detail.