[Sailcat]

I'm interested in knowing which is the best compact 8x30 or 8x32 roof prism binocular in the $400.00 to $600.00 range. I wear eyeglasses, so ER is important. I've been considering, but am not limited to, the Minox BD 8x32 BR, the Zeiss 8x30 B/GA T*P*, Eagle Optics 8x32 Platinum Ranger, and Pentax 8x32 DCF SP. Is there a standout in this size and price range among these binoculars, or among binoculars I haven't considered up to now?

Compact binoculars seem to be more of a mixed lot than full sized glasses because size is as much of an issue as performance. Thanks for your help!

[Tero]

see this thread
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=63254
I don't have any of those, instead a store brand with 370 FOV. It is one of the advantages of the format, so try to get at least that FOV.

I also have a Minolta 8x25 roof prism which is no longer sold, and it fills a lot of my 8x needs.

[Sailcat]

There are several good suggestions in your thread, Tero. I am a confirmed Nikon fan and the refurbished 8x32LX is a tempting choice, but the Minox is an interesting binocular, too, as is the Zeiss ClassiC. I am interesting the experiences of anyone who has used these glasses. Their input is much appreciated!

[Tero]

Zeiss Classic looks good. If you google it, you can get a $580 price right now. It may be the best you can get for under 600. There were a few places that sold it. The familiar places, like Eagle Optics, did not list it.

[Pinewood]

Walter,

The following thread may be if interest:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=60100

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[Otto McDiesel]

I would say that the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x32 is not of the same quality and performance as the other ones you ask about. I examined them very carefully at a show once. They were dim and had softish images.

[FrankD]

My top two choices in that price range, assuming new and of the roof prism design would be the Pentax DCF-SP and possibly the Minox HG 8x33. I had owned the former and it was probably my favorite sub-$900 8x30 roof prism bin. I would like to own the latter and might yet depending on whether or not I can convince myself that an 8x32 will work just as well as an 8x42 for my intended application. Price is well under $600 the one place I have seen them advertised.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by Sailcat

I'm interested in knowing which is the best compact 8x30 or 8x32 roof prism binocular in the $400.00 to $600.00 range. I wear eyeglasses, so ER is important. I've been considering, but am not limited to, the Minox BD 8x32 BR, the Zeiss 8x30 B/GA T*P*, Eagle Optics 8x32 Platinum Ranger, and Pentax 8x32 DCF SP. Is there a standout in this size and price range among these binoculars, or among binoculars I haven't considered up to now?

Compact binoculars seem to be more of a mixed lot than full sized glasses because size is as much of an issue as performance. Thanks for your help!

They are all roughly the same size. Maximum weight 23 Oz. or so down to 17 Oz or so depending on their construction. Most are around 19 Oz or so. Pentax are the heaviest. Dimensions are too close to quibble about. The Eagle Optics Raven Platinums are discontinued, replaced by SRT's which cost about $75.00 less. Eagle has a 30 day no questions asked right of return policy, so you can try them out if you like. There aren't many differences in your price range: A few will have shorter ER and a few will have narrower FOV. You pay your money and you make your choice among the limited options available that are best suited to your own individual characteristics.

If you really want to spend $600.00, why don't you decide to chuck the idea of buying a Roof Prism Clone and get the best 8 x 32 ever made? I'm talking about the Nikon 8 x 32 SE Porro Prism. It has the best optics in the 8 x 32 format at any price.

Cordially
Bob

[PCH BIRDER]

I had a chance to check out the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP and I was blown away by the clarity and brightness of the image, the over-all balance, the close focus, the quick focus -- really everything. Bottom line: I just ordered a pair from Adorama for the pretty amazing price of $349. They also have a two week return policy -- not as good as Eagle Optics, but a much better price. I did not have the opportunity to check out any of the other bins on your list, but I did have the opportunity to compare the Pentax with some high end stuff (Zeiss, EL's) and they really are close to the very high end glass. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

Not sure I would call 8x30/8x32 binoculars "Compact"... more like "Semi-Compact" or "Reduced-Size". Anyway, here is my experience:

The 8x32 format is my favorite overall for binoculars. It combines the best of all worlds - light weight, good light gathering ability, low power (with all the associated benefits), and excellent ergonomics. I've purchased and used more 8x32 binoculars than any other configuration, and have at least looked through every available 8x32 in my area (which is most of them).

My current favorite "overall" 8x32 is the Minox 8x32 BL. The new Minox 8x33 BR model beats it in every way EXCEPT for field of view, and the two are very close in that specification. However, I own the 8x32 BL and got them at a GREAT price, so they are still my personal favorite overall. I carry them everywhere with me, and they have been used more than all my other binoculars combined.

For sheer image quality, I've yet to find anything that beats the Leica Trinovid and Ultravid 8x32 models, they are simply magnificent. Coming up in VERY close 2nd place would be the Nikon HG 8x32, probably my favorite binoculars to grab when showing new birders what good optics are all about - I've yet to hear an unimpressed response when showing them off.

I've never been that impressed by the Zeiss FL offerings - I really like the central portion of the view, but the outer 2/3 of the image just seems "blah" to me somehow. I'm often looked at as being somewhat crazy for not wanting the supposed "best of the best" binoculars - but for me they just aren't all that.

Swarovski's 8x32 is magnificent. Magnificent, bright image - magnificently high price to match. For me, though, the image is TOO bright - kind of harsh and electric in a way, without all the contrasty vividness of the Leicas or Nikons. Again, I've heard many people ask me why I don't own a pair, having the resources to buy any pair of binoculars that I want. I just tell them that the Swaros aren't for me - and leave it at that.

For people on a budget, the Leupold Katmai 8x32 is hard to beat - they are among the lightest and most compact 8x32's available, and have a bright contrasty image that is only slightly less sharp than most of the above binoculars.

Hope all this didn't bore you too much - I'm kind of 8x32 obsessed, if you can't tell! Now... if they would only bring out a few models of decent 7x32 bins, I'd be in optics heaven! :)

Best wishes,
Bawko

[PCH BIRDER]

Having just read Atomic Chicken's post, I'm wondering if anyone has compared the Minolta 8x33 BR with the Pentax 8x32 SP?

[Sailcat]

"If you really want to spend $600.00, why don't you decide to chuck the idea of buying a Roof Prism Clone and get the best 8 x 32 ever made? I'm talking about the Nikon 8 x 32 SE Porro Prism. It has the best optics in the 8 x 32 format at any price."

I recently had the good fortune to spend an afternoon comparing three Nikons; a 8x42LX, 8x30 EII, and a 8x32SE. All three were excellent, but the SE's tendency for blackout made it a less "friendly" binocular than the EII, in my extremely humble opinion. Your opinion of its optical quality is absolutely correct, though!

I am primarily interested in a small roof that will offer good performance in a package smaller and lighter than my larger 42mm binoculars.

Thanks to all for the advice!

[TEF]

Originally Posted by Sailcat

There are several good suggestions in your thread, Tero. I am a confirmed Nikon fan and the refurbished 8x32LX is a tempting choice, but the Minox is an interesting binocular, too, as is the Zeiss ClassiC. I am interesting the experiences of anyone who has used these glasses. Their input is much appreciated!

Where can you buy refurbished Nikon 8x32LX binoculars?

TF

[PCH BIRDER]

Regarding the suggestion of the Nikon SE -- I was considering a pair myself. I agree that they have the best image of any of the bins under discussion, but for me the lack of close focus, and especially their very slow focus compared to the good roofs, rules them out. I suppose it's all a matter of where and how you bird, but I find the focus issues just as important as the absolute quality of the optics. Ultimately, so much about what you choose comes down to personal preferance IMO.

[ceasar]

You want really fast focus? Try the Nikon 8 x 32 LXL. Closeup to infinity in one 360 degree spin of the focus wheel. I have the binocular. It's as good as any 8 x 32 Roof Prism made albeit a bit heavier than most of them and it costs around 900 bucks. Actually, the focusing is a bit too fast for my taste.

Bob

[Lou H]

Don't overlook the Zeiss 8x30 Conquests which are an excellent value at the going price of $480.

[FrankD]

Having just read Atomic Chicken's post, I'm wondering if anyone has compared the Minolta 8x33 BR with the Pentax 8x32 SP?

The only person that I know of who has both in his possession at the moment is gr8fuldoug. Bawko has the 8x32 BL and did own the 8x32 SP. I believe that he mentioned in a previous post where he felt the Minox was more durable. I thought he had the 8x32 BD BR but must have been mistaken.

Where can you buy refurbished Nikon 8x32LX binoculars

I haven't seen refurbished 8x32 LXs for some time. I did just see refurbished 8x32 LXLs for between $600 and $700 at cameralandny. I was considering ordering a pair myself but cannot justify it after already owning an 8x32 Trinovid. That might seem somewhat hypocritical of me when you consider my recent investment in several full-size 42 mm glasses but I prefer the 42 mm to the 32 mm overall.

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

Originally Posted by FrankD

...Bawko has the 8x32 BL and did own the 8x32 SP. I believe that he mentioned in a previous post where he felt the Minox was more durable. I thought he had the 8x32 BD BR but must have been mistaken...

Frank, you are correct about my owning the Minox 8x32 BD, not the BL. My mistake - I wrote my original post too fast in a hurry to get out of the office and for some reason thought "BL" instead of "BD" when writing. Minox has too many "B" suffixed part numbers! :)

Anyway, I've owned both the Minox and Pentax (Still do...) and I definitely agree that the Minox is more rugged and solidly built.

Best wishes,
Bawko