BrightIdea
Well-known member
I'd really like to pick up a pair of very small compacts- I am utterly addicted to using my binocs when I am out and about (coaching, biking, with the kids at the playground, etc) and find that even small binocs are a bit too big for around the neck or pocket binocs.
(I have bushnell 7x36ex and yosemite 6x that I think are both keepers for different reasons, surel;y not large at all, but neither disappears when not in use.)
I was looking at the bushnell powerview 8 or 10x25 for under $15. I tried a friends and they are really pretty crappy optics. HUGE compromise.
Can i find something significantly better than these $20 walmart clamshell compacts. I dont expect the quality or ease of use of my Yosemite's, but want better than the dim rough image of the cheap bushnell.
I read some reviews regarding the Brunton Echo 8 or 10x25, the Carson Raven 8x26. At just under $50 I can swing it. Is it a clear step up?
(Budgetarily I cannot swing anything north of about $70 on this. That is about as high as I am willing to go. "Get the nikon/zeiss/leica you'll be happy comments" not an option. I am saving real funds for a real set of 8 or 10 x42's. )
So, any experience with the Carson Raven, Brunton Echo, or similar for about 40-70 bucks that will be a worthwhile improvement over the $15 toys?
Thanks much.
(I have bushnell 7x36ex and yosemite 6x that I think are both keepers for different reasons, surel;y not large at all, but neither disappears when not in use.)
I was looking at the bushnell powerview 8 or 10x25 for under $15. I tried a friends and they are really pretty crappy optics. HUGE compromise.
Can i find something significantly better than these $20 walmart clamshell compacts. I dont expect the quality or ease of use of my Yosemite's, but want better than the dim rough image of the cheap bushnell.
I read some reviews regarding the Brunton Echo 8 or 10x25, the Carson Raven 8x26. At just under $50 I can swing it. Is it a clear step up?
(Budgetarily I cannot swing anything north of about $70 on this. That is about as high as I am willing to go. "Get the nikon/zeiss/leica you'll be happy comments" not an option. I am saving real funds for a real set of 8 or 10 x42's. )
So, any experience with the Carson Raven, Brunton Echo, or similar for about 40-70 bucks that will be a worthwhile improvement over the $15 toys?
Thanks much.