[joannec]

There are loads and loads of threads comparing binoculars on here but not sure this one has been discussed before. I'm just wondering which binoculars female birders like and use. Our hands are smaller and for me weight is very important. For years I used Nikon Monarch 10x42. I liked them for their lightness and when I wanted to upgrade I was sure I didn't want anything heavier. My two female birding friends both have Swaro ELs and brilliant though they are I find them heavy; one of my friends uses a harness as they put a strain on her neck. My dream binocular is Zeiss Victory FL 8X32 for the brightness, weight and ergonomics but I couldn't justify the cost, over £1000, so settled for Nikon HGL 8x32. I like them, love the sharp, bright view, which to me is as good as the Zeiss. They are quite nice to hold but they are a little heavier than my old Monarchs.

So ladies, which bins do you like and use and why? I know most (all) of you binoholics are male and welcome your input too but try to imagine smaller hands.

[capemay]

Hands down, my Zeiss 8x32 Victory FL, bright, light, and ergonomically perfect. I was using a Leica Ultravid 7x42 when I had the opportunity to try the Zeiss. I lucked into purchasing a demo for a great price, and in short order, the Leicas were history. I use a narrow bandolier-style strap, and can carry them all day with no issues.

My husband uses Nikon 8x32 SE's, which I also love, but I find the focus knob to be a reach for my small hands.

The Zeiss feels as if it were made just for me.

Capemay

[delia todd]

Good thread Joanne

My main pair is the Swaroski EL 8x32. I'm really happy with them, finding them easy to focus. Maybe a tad on the heavy side, but this isn't too much of a problem with the bungee strap.

I've not gone into getting a harness yet... though the day may come when I need to

My second pair are kept in the car and I've had them so long I can't remember the make, but they're 8x?42 (I think). I'll come back to you on them. My friend (male) prefers them to his enormous (cheapo) zoom binoculars. He can't hold them steady (particularly on zoom) and has to rest them on something - I've got no chance LOL.

I did think about 10x at one time for the longer reach, but really don't think I'd manage them now.

D

[Hobbes2]

Hi there
Like you, weight is one of the over-riding factors in my choice of all optics. My first (and current) main binocular is the Nikon Monarch 8x36 and its weight (570g)/size is perfect for me. I wouldn't want anything heavier. However, they do suffer from some chromatic abberation in certain lights and aren't as sharp as perhaps I'd like. Having said that, I love using them.

I recently bought a pair of Zeiss Victory 8x20 compacts to have in my pocket and love the view through them. Super sharp and very bright. Having looked at (and dreamed of) a better main binocular, I would be sorely tempted by the Zeiss Victory 8x32 FLs that you mention but could not justify the price. They weigh less than my Monarchs (at just 550g) and, if the view was anything like the compacts, they'd be wonderful to use!

It is difficult to find light weight medium or full sized bins, with excellent optics. A lot of the cheaper options which the guys talk about are very rugged and relatively heavy, it seems. I'll be interested to see what others say....
Good thread
Hobbes

Originally Posted by joannec

There are loads and loads of threads comparing binoculars on here but not sure this one has been discussed before. I'm just wondering which binoculars female birders like and use. Our hands are smaller and for me weight is very important. For years I used Nikon Monarch 10x42. I liked them for their lightness and when I wanted to upgrade I was sure I didn't want anything heavier. My two female birding friends both have Swaro ELs and brilliant though they are I find them heavy; one of my friends uses a harness as they put a strain on her neck. My dream binocular is Zeiss 8X32 for the brightness, weight and ergonomics but I couldn't justify the cost, over £1000, so settled for Nikon HGL 8x32. I like them, love the sharp, bright view, which to me is as good as the Zeiss. They are quite nice to hold but they are a little heavier than my old Monarchs.

So ladies, which bins do you like and use and why? I know most (all) of you binoholics are male and welcome your input too but try to imagine smaller hands.

[ceasar]

My wife isn't a "serious" birder, but she likes to come along with me on occasion, especially when we travel. When she does she takes this PENTAX DCF LV 9 x 28 to use.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...rism-binocular

It is light, (easy to carry around the neck) compact, (fits into her purse) has great eye relief, (she wears glasses) and being single hinge is easy to use. The relatively narrow FOV doesn't bother her, or me for that matter. And it is sharp! It usually sells for about $220.00. We were in Cape May last spring, and Skytop, Pa last fall. I used my Nikon 8 x 32 SE and she used the Pentax. And when we dined outside on a patio or deck, we had the Pentax nearby.
Bob

[Pinewood]

Hello Joanne,

My friend has a problem in that her eyes are closely set. The 8x32 FL may be the most accommodating high quality glass for narrow set eyes.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[joannec]

Originally Posted by capemay

Hands down, my Zeiss 8x32 Victory FL, bright, light, and ergonomically perfect. I was using a Leica Ultravid 7x42 when I had the opportunity to try the Zeiss. I lucked into purchasing a demo for a great price, and in short order, the Leicas were history.
Capemay

Sounds like you really got lucky there!

Originally Posted by delia todd

Good thread Joanne

My main pair is the Swaroski EL 8x32. I'm really happy with them, finding them easy to focus. Maybe a tad on the heavy side, but this isn't too much of a problem with the bungee strap.

D

Those are really nice bins D........and light! I liked them a lot too but they were even more expensive than the Zeiss when I looked. When I mentioned my friends ELs that I found heavy, I should have said they were both x42s.

[lulubelle]

I started out using the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8x42's. Loved the way they fit in my hands and was happy til I started reading the optics section here!

I now use the Zen Ray ED 8x43 is my primary bins and while it is heavy compared to my Rangers, I don't find it hard to use for extended periods of time. I do use a harness, but I used it with my Rangers too - hated the weight of any bin on my neck & like to have my hands free when going on bird walks.

I have used a friend's Pentax DCF WP 10x50's - I swear they were 50's - but they are compact & light weight compared to my ZR ED's whether they are 10x50's or 10x42. I would love to have a pair - they seemed like a good fit for me, great eye relief and love the focus wheel! Don't seem quite as crisply clear as my ZR ED's though, but I could love them any way!! Wish I could find a pair of them!

I just tried & am sending back a pair of Burris Signature Select 10x42's. They were great to hold, but horrible eye relief (although that really shouldn't have been an issue) & couldn't get both barrels to focus together. Assuming someone didn't have the 2 issues that I did, they would be a good light weight, ergonomically decent bin for a woman. Didn't like the center wheel diopter either - great that it locked, but was a bit difficult to adjust when looking through the bins, I thought. Loved the fact that it focused so much faster than my ZR's, but too easy to overshoot with the slightest touch. Sweet spot too small for my liking.

Have tried the Swaro 8.5x42 EL's - love the view & feel - just not the price tag!!

[Tero]

From observing the local birders, the long time birders have ancient Bausch and Lombs, some really beat up small porros or, most often Swarovskis. I have not tracked down which size, but they are older models, 32mm or 42mm. This is pretty much regardless of male or female. Males tend to have expensive pairs more often than females. Harnesses are common for neck issues.

[Fireform]

I would imagine any of the the 8x32 models from Zeiss, Leica, Meopta and Swarovski would be good in smaller hands, not to mention optically superb. The 8x32 Swaro ELs feel like they have the smallest barrels and most versatile grip of the above.

[joannec]

Originally Posted by lulubelle

I now use the Zen Ray ED 8x43 is my primary bins and while it is heavy compared to my Rangers, I don't find it hard to use for extended periods of time.

Hi lulubelle. I have wondered how women found the Zen Rays. They have had such fabulous reviews on BF. Shame about the weight.........wonder how the ED 8x32s (if there is one) are?

[spitfiretriple]

Zen do a 7x36 "ED2" which gets some rave reviews on BF - even if it is as big and as heavy as some competitors' 8x42s. Zen did offer an 8x25(or thereabouts) for a while, but it was a cheap (and not very good) generic bought-in. Zen doesn't offer an Xx32.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by joannec

Hi lulubelle. I have wondered how women found the Zen Rays. They have had such fabulous reviews on BF. Shame about the weight.........wonder how the ED 8x32s (if there is one) are?

Check the comments from this lady: She has made a number of comments on them.

http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?...98#post1752398

Bob

[lulubelle]

Bob,

Are you talking about Gcole/Gwen? Gwen is a guy! I found this out in another series of posts. Great reviews - I wish I had his bin collection! In fact it wwas one of his posts that led me to try the Burris Signature Selects.

Joann, I really like my ZR's. I don't notice the weight until I pick up my Rangers. They feel good in the hand and I actually like the feel of their weight. I haven't tried the ED2's and I am considering that now or even the ZR's. Am sending the Burris's back and am going to Cabelas on Tues to try out the Bushnell Legend Ultras - although now I am less excited about them as I continue to read about various issues with them (cheap build possibly). I had the opportunity to bid some Pentax on another site, but chose not to at the last minute - may have been a mistake.

I would encourage you to give the ZR ED's a shot, if it is not cost prohibitive (vat) to get them.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by lulubelle

Bob,

Are you talking about Gcole/Gwen? Gwen is a guy! I found this out in another series of posts. Great reviews - I wish I had his bin collection! In fact it wwas one of his posts that led me to try the Burris Signature Selects.

Joann, I really like my ZR's. I don't notice the weight until I pick up my Rangers. They feel good in the hand and I actually like the feel of their weight. I haven't tried the ED2's and I am considering that now or even the ZR's. Am sending the Burris's back and am going to Cabelas on Tues to try out the Bushnell Legend Ultras - although now I am less excited about them as I continue to read about various issues with them (cheap build possibly). I had the opportunity to bid some Pentax on another site, but chose not to at the last minute - may have been a mistake.

I would encourage you to give the ZR ED's a shot, if it is not cost prohibitive (vat) to get them.

Yes, I received the info that Gwen is a guy in an urgent PM that I just read! My apologies here, to be sure!

Kind of reminds me though of Johnny Cash's song: "A Boy Named Sue!"

My apologies for that too!

Bob

[caruh]

I use a Zeiss FL 8X32. They are perfect. I have also been using a Zen ED2 7X36 for the past few months. Size and weight are good for me, and the view is wonderful.

[joannec]

Originally Posted by lulubelle

I would encourage you to give the ZR ED's a shot, if it is not cost prohibitive (vat) to get them.

I'm not really looking for a new pair of bins. I'm really happy with my Nikon HGL 8x32s........they are almost perfect. I started this thread to learn which bins other women liked and used, given that size and weight are important to us, probably more so than for most men.

Caruh: I see you've made your first post on BF on this thread! Welcome to Birdforum!

[lulubelle]

Joann,

I really did read your original post! I think I am so used to questions being asked about trying bins, I didn't think twice before I typed that! The more binoculars I try, the more I realize how build & weight really vary. IPD seems to be a bigger issue for than weight, etc.

[Gretchen]

I have an unusual pair: Bausch & Lomb custom 9 x 26 which someone else picked out for me. I don't know if these are like what Bob's wife uses.... They are very light and compact, and yet I feel I see a lot with them. I've liked them a lot, and picking up others' binoculars and looking through them, I haven't seen any I liked better. However, I may get more serious about looking around at different pairs at some time in the future.

[ceasar]

Gretchen,
My wife uses a Pentax 9 x 28.

Are you sure that your Bausch & Lomb is not a 7 x 28 Custom? If so, it is an excellent binocular! You can read more about it and other small binoculars in the thread above about the best non-alpha small binocular. It is now known as the Bushnell 7 x 26 Elite.
Bob

[Enji]

I use a pair of Kowa 10x42 DCF WP (I have no idea what are the letters mean, but they called it that at the shop ), and while they're a bit too heavy I'm pleased with them. I'd like to have another pair, a bit lighter, for walks in the forest, but can't afford that.

My biggest problem isn't really weight though, it's the fact that I can't look in a lot of binos because my eyes are set pretty close... it's annoying! The Kowa I have now I can use when I press it together, but it's only just. Wish they could make more binos like my mom's old Kowa from the 70's or so (no idea what model it is), where you can press it together enough for a small child to look through.

[Gretchen]

Originally Posted by ceasar

Gretchen,
My wife uses a Pentax 9 x 28.

Are you sure that your Bausch & Lomb is not a 7 x 28 Custom? If so, it is an excellent binocular! You can read more about it and other small binoculars in the thread above about the best non-alpha small binocular. It is now known as the Bushnell 7 x 26 Elite.
Bob

Nope, it says 9 x 26 on it - I meant like your wife, maybe I'm not too discerning

(Mine are probably 7 years old or so - I notice they aren't for sale any more.)

[Steve Dudley]

I'm a bloke with small hands. I used to do binocular reviews and found I had smaller hands to the women present - so nothing to do with gender this thread, just hand size!

I think skimming the previous posts the thing that stands out is the norm - you buy what fits your own hands the best. Some people have small fat hands and others small thin hands. This same pair of bins are gonna feel different to the owner of each pair of hands.

By all means ask others what they recommend, but never let recommendations let you buy something that your hands (or eyes) tell you that you dont get on with.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by Gretchen

Nope, it says 9 x 26 on it - I meant like your wife, maybe I'm not too discerning

(Mine are probably 7 years old or so - I notice they aren't for sale any more.)

I use it too!

I didn't know that Bausch and Lomb made a 9 x 26. Is it a reverse porro prism? Like this one, more or less:
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...pact-binocular

Bob

[delia todd]

There you see... once you guys come in it starts getting all technical

What the *** are "reverse porro"?

D

Umm... probably don't bother answering that... I'm very much afraid I won't understand anyway