Best Compact Binocular under $100 (1 Viewer)

Barbets48

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #1

Hi,
I'm a serious birder in the US who is looking for a new pair of compact binoculars that I can stick in a bag (or large pocket) and have with me at time when I'm not seriously birding. I have a pair of Swarovskis as my main pair, but want to buy something for roughly $100 or less to replace my Alpen Wings binocs which got knocked out of alignment (and I don't think can be repaired, because of Alpen's demise).

A couple options I found and am curious about are the Vortex Vanquish 8x26 and the Wingspan Spectator 8x32. Love to hear anyone's feedback on those, or other recommendations as well.

Most important optical qualities to me are field of view and decent close focus (3 m or less preferred).

Mike

 

1

18000bph

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #2

Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 is a cheap option with good FOV and close focus. I've never used them, but they are pretty popular.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #3

Here are all 9 of Nikon's binoculars under 100 dollars. They can be ordered directly from Nikon.

https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/binoculars/all-binoculars/index.page#!/tag:nkE:$0%20to%20$99

Bob

 

M

mpeace

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #4

For that money an 8x25 reverse Poro like the Nikon travelite EX or others are so much better than the cheap roof prism binoculars.

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #5

mpeace said:

For that money an 8x25 reverse Poro like the Nikon travelite EX or others are so much better than the cheap roof prism binoculars.

Click to expand...

I agree. If you want decent quality in this price range the only way to go is with a Reverse Porro Prism.

For an extra $35 bucks or so you can get a Nikon ProStaff 8x25 ATB with waterproofing, a bit more FOV, and longer eye relief:

https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en....html#tab-ProductDetail-ProductTabs-TechSpecs

Bob

 

J

jring

Well-known member

• Jul 9, 2019

• #6

Hi,

for me this is the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21. Ticks the boxes for size, weight and close focus while being almost in budget. Plus it serves as a pair for very close up views. The 8.5x version is not as good - had it too.

Joachim

 

Last edited: Jul 10, 2019

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BluePlanet

Sun Sea and Trees. Registered User

• Jul 25, 2019

• #7

Hi,

Suggest look up Wingspan ProBirder (was Polaris) 8x32 ED glass, phase-corrected, 7.7 deg FoV, close up 2 metres, weight approx. 530 gm. Lifetime warranty, for US only. Compare prices Amazon and Wingspan.

(Or check out some monoculars if for pocket and just for general use.)
Have fun.

 

Blue72

Well-known member

• Jul 25, 2019

• #8

Good suggestions here

 

wdc

Well-known member

• Jul 25, 2019

• #9

Leupold Yosemite BX-1 6x30 porro.
Might be a bit large for your needs, but the price is right, and the image quality, along with an 8° fov, is very good.

 

C

clipboard

Member

• Jul 26, 2019

• #10

bushnell legend 10x25 pc coated ed glass for 120 on amazon