Budget compact with 25mm lens (1 Viewer)

[Woen]

Hi!

Trying to help a friend in Canada to get a decent pair of compact binoculars. Preferably with 25mm lenses and a 8 or 10x magnification. as I find smaller to small and larger not really compact. But other suggestions are welcome. Max budget is 150 dollars ca. I've found te Celestron Nature DX 10x25 as an option but I really have no experience with budget compacts.

I've been going through older posts but I couldn't really find a good suggestion.

Any sugggestions?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Binocollector]

I'd spend a bit more and try to find the Kowa BD 8x25 DCF. I tried it in a store once and it's excellent and at the time it was still "Made in Japan" not China. I hope that still is the case. At least the image says so.
But it seems to be a bit more expensive in the USA than in Europe. I also think it is discontinued since it is no longer listed on the Kowa homepage.
Edit: Oops, just saw you're in the Netherlands. In that case, "Intercon-Spacetec" has a good deal on the Kowa.

KOWA BD 8x25 DCF Fernglas mit C3-Beschichtung | Intercon Spacetec - Alles für die Astronomie

Hochwertiges Taschenfernglas Kowa BD 8x25 DCF für Outdoor-Aktivitäten. Made in Japan.

www.intercon-spacetec.de

 

[Mike Crawley]

I have a pair of Hawke Endurance ED 8x25
I find them to be bright and comfortable
Don't know what the current price and availability is in Canada but they are available on amazon.co.uk for £135

 

[Woen]

I'd spend a bit more and try to find the Kowa BD 8x25 DCF. I tried it in a store once and it's excellent and at the time it was still "Made in Japan" not China. I hope that still is the case. At least the image says so.
But it seems to be a bit more expensive in the USA than in Europe. I also think it is discontinued since it is no longer listed on the Kowa homepage.
Edit: Oops, just saw you're in the Netherlands. In that case, "Intercon-Spacetec" has a good deal on the Kowa.

KOWA BD 8x25 DCF Fernglas mit C3-Beschichtung | Intercon Spacetec - Alles für die Astronomie

Hochwertiges Taschenfernglas Kowa BD 8x25 DCF für Outdoor-Aktivitäten. Made in Japan.

www.intercon-spacetec.de

Looking to order in Canada!

 

[normjackson]

8x25 Pentax AD WP and Nikon Sportstar EX look like two possible candidates at that price in Canada. Latter has a very wide field of view for a compact but very short eye relief. The former is the opposite (narrow FOV but decent eye relief) but also adds phase coating as a plus (is the more expensive here in the UK) :

Pentax AD 8x25 vs Nikon Trailblazers 8x25 ATB?

Hi folks Good afternoon to everyone! I'm in the market for a *very* compact binocular set to take with me hiking, bikepacking and the like. I've narrowed down between the Pentax 8x25 A-Series AD and the Nikon 8x25 Trailblazer ATB (but open to anything else!) The reviews on both seem great...

www.birdforum.net

C-note Surprise - Pentax AD 8x25 WP Compact Binoculars - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

C-note Surprise - Pentax AD 8x25 WP Compact Binoculars - posted in Binoculars: The topic of compact binoculars comes up often in this forum. They are lightweight, small, and easy to carry. There are excellent models available from Zeiss and Swarovski at the high-end and many of these have been...

www.cloudynights.com

Pocket binoculars that fit in your pocket!

“Figuring out your need” is a great point. Everyone has different real world needs. I love buying and trying binoculars, but I also don’t like clutter and “waste”, so I try to be disciplined and fight my gear junkie tendencies and ask myself “when will I really use this binocular?” I had the...

www.birdforum.net

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

Looking to order in Canada!

Have you looked at opticron binoculars?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335285-REG/opticron_30530_8x25_oregon_4_le.html/reviews

Opticron 8x25 Oregon 4 LE WP Binoculars - $89

I tried the the Opticron 8x21 Explorer ($89) which I enjoyed. The housing had a bit of a cheap feel but for the price the optics were great. I personally enjoyed the view through the Nikon Micron 6x15 more -- the latter being incredibly sharp. But the latter you can't really hold a gaze long before wanting to pull away. With the Opticron explorer it was a bit better. Though eye fatigue or eye strain would develop with the tiny eyecups of the Explorers. The explorer's were also incredibly tiny in size! I haven't seen the premium compact binoculars in person but I suspect it would make the Curio 7x21 seem huge. (I could be very mistaken though.)

Opticron 8x21 Explorer Binoculars

Buy Opticron 8x21 Explorer Binoculars featuring Reflective-Coated Roof Prisms, Anti-Reflection Multicoated Optics, Apparent Angle of View: 50°, Waterproof Housing, Closed-Bridge Design, Center Focusing Wheel, Twist-Up Eyecups, Anti-Slip Rubberized Armor. Review Opticron Explorer

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[has530]

If the Kowa BD is out of budget I would also recommend the SV. You can find my comparison between the two here (Kowa 8x25 SV vs. BD Brief Comparison).

 

[Granpoli]

Nikon 8x or 9x25?

 

[Woen]

If the Kowa BD is out of budget I would also recommend the SV. You can find my comparison between the two here (Kowa 8x25 SV vs. BD Brief Comparison).

Yes the Kowa is a very good binocular but way out of budget. I would recommend the swaro 8x25 but also out of budget I'll have a look at that other Kowa.

 

[Binocollector]

The Pentax Papilio II is also pretty neat.

 

[Woen]

The Pentax Papilio II is also pretty neat.

But is it really compact? I like the models but can you pocket it?

 

[Binocollector]

But is it really compact? I like the models but can you pocket it?

It's not as small as a true pocket bino. Here's two pics. Just for comparison - Nikon Mikron 6x15 on the right. That's what I use when it's supposed to be really small.

 

[Woen]

It's not as small as a true pocket bino. Here's two pics. Just for comparison - Nikon Mikron 6x15 on the right. That's what I use when it's supposed to be really small.
View attachment 1530848View attachment 1530849

Thank you for the comparison!

 

[LucaPCP]

I find the Zeiss Terra 8x25 to be very very good if they are within budget. I use all the time mountain biking and skiing. Superb contrast and flare resistance. Very sharp.

 

[jring]

But is it really compact? I like the models but can you pocket it?

Hi,

depends on the pocket - shirt no, pants probably no - unless cargo, jacket yes. If you want shirt pocket, you need to go 8x20 (old Swaro, Leica or old Zeiss) - or those funny foldable reverse porros...

Joachim

 

[Woen]

There is a new plan! He is going to save a bit more money and buy something a bit better. Smart man