Which new 8x20s would you pic and why? (1 Viewer)

[wingedwarrior]

Hello all.

I fancy a premium pair of 8x20 compact bins.

What would you got for out of the top 3?

And why?

Really interested in the pros and cons of each.

But my main quality is the experience when looking through them..

Thanks

 

[Swissboy]

Hello all.

I fancy a premium pair of 8x20 compact bins.

What would you got for out of the top 3?

And why?

Really interested in the pros and cons of each.

......
Thanks

You might start by checking the various recent threads that are already providing arguments. They are mainly personal preferences in the end.

Just note that there is a certain tendency to go for 8x25 as Swaro has done now. Regarding focus-wheel convenience, I still think Leica's Ultravid will be hard to beat. But as I said, lots of personal preferences instead of actual big differences.

 

[wingedwarrior]

Cheers for the reply, surprised I didn't get more.. Didn't know they actually did an 8x25! Thanks again..

 

[Bencw]

The Swarovski 8x25 is thought by many to be the best, and is pretty much as good a compact as you can get.

 

[John S.]

The Swarovski 8x25 is thought by many to be the best, and is pretty much as good a compact as you can get.

I've tried the 8x20 configuration and find it difficult to use. Image alignment is too fiddly and the bins are just too light and small to allow the image to be steady. The 8x25 would be a better choice.

 

[wingedwarrior]

Sounds like the 8x25 are favourable then..are the 8x20s made of a lesser material then if there so light?

Also I'm now wondering just how much of an improvement in image quality I'm going to get over my leica 10x25 BCA older ones which I still find phenomenal..

 

[ceasar]

It depends on how often you are going to use them and whether or not you want one that is easy to carry around in your pockets. Among the alpha binoculars the quality of the optics are the same. The larger exit pupil of the 8x25 makes it easier to use. The extra glass in it also makes it heavier, wider and longer than an 8x20.

The 8x20 is much easier to carry around. It will fit into the average shirt pocket and the pocket of your sport coat. You can keep it with you easily for casual use. The Swarovski 8x25 is as big as your Leica 10x25 binocular is and it won't fit into nearly as many pockets as an 8x20 will.

The 8x20 works fine for indoor concerts and such. It's inconspicuous. Less so than an Opera Glass. I've used my Leica 8x20BCA that way and was very pleased with it.

Bob

 

[Swissboy]

.............
The 8x20 works fine for indoor concerts and such. It's inconspicuous. Less so than an Opera Glass. I've used my Leica 8x20BCA that way and was very pleased with it.

Bob

Same here, I have regularly used my Leica 8x20 Trinovid for concerts and the like. Outdoors, if I only want a small companion, I use my Leica Ultravid 10x25. The optical quality of the Ultravid is a considerable step above my Trinovid, an older version though. Plus, the Ultravid compacts are fully waterproof which at least my Trinovid is not.

I should add that the 8x20 Trinovid is noticeably brighter than an 8x25 Opticron (much cheaper model of course). So it's not just the diameter, it's also the quality of the glass and coatings that count. But since you are looking for an alpha model anyway, you will be on the safe side in that respect.

 

[brocknroller]

Better to fancy a fancy 8x25 than a fancy 8x20, with its fiddly 2.5mm exit pupils and small as your eyelids eyecups. You'll also get a bit more weight and "real estate" for added stability. Of course, that means the Swaro 8x25 CL Parachute Pants Pocket Bin. Or if you think $719 is too much for a compact, the Hawke 8x25 ED.

Note that if you buy the CL Pocket, you will also need to buy a fedora and a woolen scarf to complete your accoutrement (eighth photo from the left):

CL accessories

Brock

 

[ceasar]

I like the eye cups on the Zeiss 8x20 Victory compact. It has an off set single hinge design which is very handy if you have to open it quickly, and it is a bit thicker front to back but it will still fit into a shirt pocket.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/zeiss/zeiss-victory-8x20-t-binocular-2

Bob

 

[Bencw]

I think that the Swaro 8x25 CL that Brock linked to would be my choice for sure if cost no issue, personally I would prefer even less magnification, a 6x20 or better a 6x24 but I think there is no modern Alpha available in this, Minox I think make a compact 6x or maybe it's a 7x.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

So hard for the woods birder to give up aperture
Lighting is more uniform indoors, so 20mm usually seems OK.
Good point on the power. For plays, I often take 6x18s.
It's hard to even find 7x new anymore.

If you really want 20mm, that usually has to do with space...and 25mm is definitely larger.
Probably because space is a key issue, Zeiss has monoculars in the right range.
Zeiss has a 6x18 monocular and an 8x20 monocular.
Gripping a monocular that size is usually less shaky than holding little binoculars.

 

[brocknroller]

I think that the Swaro 8x25 CL that Brock linked to would be my choice for sure if cost no issue, personally I would prefer even less magnification, a 6x20 or better a 6x24 but I think there is no modern Alpha available in this, Minox I think make a compact 6x or maybe it's a 7x.

I also prefer less magnification in a compact due to the light weight not providing enough heft to stop the shakes. I can steady my Olympus 7x21 PC III well, and being a reverse Porro it has better ergonomics for my large hands than a compact roof. 8x and 10x double hinged compacts tend to "dance" around on me. Still, you can't beat them for portability.

Brock

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

There's always this recent commemorative 6x15 'knuckle sandwich' from Nikon:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-15-Ca...221486453196?pt=Binocular&hash=item33919f11cc

The old Nippon Kogaku 6x15, but gussied up in all premium materials and coatings.
The old ones already had a surprisngly sharp view.
I have a Bower 6x18 that's actually a miniature B.Custom in design. It's from the 50's.
Sharp as a pin.

 

[ibramr]

Greetings. When size is of the essence, it is very difficult to improve on the Leica Ultravid 8x20, both optically and functionally. I have used it in many situations--most notably during international travels--in which any thing marginally larger would have seriously detracted from the experience.

There is no question in my mind that the Sawaorvski 8x25 is an extremely competent product as highlighted in the thread above. But if the size of an 8x25 is considered, then a compact 8x32 pair like the Leica Ultravid should also be considered. And, if so, you are likely end up with two pairs--an 8x20 and an 8x32 (sounds familiar, eh?). Enjoy in good health.

 

[Roadbike]

There's always this recent commemorative 6x15 'knuckle sandwich' from Nikon:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-15-Ca...221486453196?pt=Binocular&hash=item33919f11cc

The old Nippon Kogaku 6x15, but gussied up in all premium materials and coatings.
The old ones already had a surprisngly sharp view.
I have a Bower 6x18 that's actually a miniature B.Custom in design. It's from the 50's.
Sharp as a pin.

The new 6x15 Nikon does deliver sharp images and for me is easier to hold and focus than my wife's 8x20 Swaro. However, there is a noticeable leap in magnification between 6x and 8x so the diminutive Nikon really could not be a substitute for the 8x20. I do think the 8x25 is a better choice than an 8x20.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

True, 8x is a lot closer. I suppose it depends on the common uses and distances.
Closer-in (10-150') and/or moving, 6x, farther away, 8x. I've also noticed that a higher power,
despite some shake, lets you 'check out' a known target much faster cognitively, while
6x or 7x lets you search for something when you don't know where it is.

 

[ZDHart]

My vote would be for the Swaro CL-Pocket 8x25. I have a pair of Trinovid 8x20's and compared to the CL-P 8x25, would give up the Trini 8x20 in a heartbeat. For me, going with a slightly larger size gives a huge improvement in optical enjoyment.

I also have a pair of Swaro CL-Pocket 10x25, which I like very much, but give the nod to the CL-P 8x25 for greater image brightness and *apparent* edge in sharpness. There are some noteworthy compromises when going to compact size bins and given that, I feel spending more to get the best you can get helps offset the compromises of the compact form factor.

 

[dalat]

I fancy a premium pair of 8x20 compact bins.

What would you got for out of the top 3?

In case you keep going the 8x20 route, don't forget the Nikon HGL. I personally found it almost as good as the Leica Ultravid and clearly better than Zeiss or Swaro compacts. And it's cheapter than all three.

 

[denniswaugh]

Back in 2011, I was in New York and took the opportunity to go to BH and compare 8 x 20 compacts.

I own a pair of Nikon 8x20 HGL (LX) and wanted to compare against Swaro, Zeiss Victory and Leica Ultravid.

I came away very pleased that there is very little difference optically between the brands and I had no desire whatsoever to change my Nikons.

The only difference that I noticed was slightly different colour bias between the brands.

Ergonomics is the major key factor between these.