Thanks! Those concerns are very important to me as well. Both are obtained with the SW 8x25 as well imo. Bigger DOF with the 7x21 makes the 7x21 even easier I can imagine (less focusing) as well as the bigger FOV (although the AFOV is a bit smaller).
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Choosing pocket binoculars (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ReinierB
- Start date
denniswaugh
Well-known member
Until very recently I too owned the HGL 10x25 and can whole heartedly recommended them.
Fantastic optics and build quality. The ergonomics can take a little getting used to but soon becomes second nature. I've only recently replaced them with a pair of UV 10x25 which I obtained for a good price.
It was a close call between these but in the end I kept the UV. It's a bit slimmer and to my eyes had a slightly more contrast but it was very close.
I wear glasses and both the HGL and UV have sufficient ER.
If you can, try a pair of Curio's. They are absolutely superb and the difference in magnification between them and my SW 8x25's is, to me, negligeable. There is an additional x1 increase in magnification according to the specs...... but I can't see it.
But the DOF is much better in the little Curio's and I am blowed if I know why as I am a technical numpty. They are fantastic and a tribute to the optical wizards in Austria.
A plus for me is that although they are tiny, the view is rock steady and razor sharp edge to edge.
Verrassend klein, verrassend fantastisch!
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
Because you already have a bigger pair of binoculars (a fantastic NL 8x32), then I would go for the extreme size: Leica Ultravid 8x20. It is small, sharp and top quality build. And even if it is the smallest (only Trinovid is smaller), it also has an important ergonomic advantage compared to all other binoculars in the pocket bino market: the focus wheel is the largest and rotates firmly and comfortably. This wheel is even much larger than the Zeiss VP 8x25 focus wheel!!!. For that reason Ultravid 8x20 has the most comfortable focus system from all pocket sise binocular!
That sounds really good.
That sounds very good too. Thanks for your advice.
tenex
reality-based
If you're leaning toward 8x25, I'd take Zeiss VP over Swaro CL in a Giekirk second, for the FOV alone.
I have tried all the pocket binoculars and I recently came back to the Nikon HG 10x25 and I don't think you can beat it. It kills the Leica 10x25's, Zeiss Victory 10x25's and Swarovski CL 10x25's optically and build quality wise for almost 1/2 the price from Japan on eBay. It is brighter, and the big difference is it has tack sharp edges. It folds down tiny, comes with a leather case and two tethered ocular covers that work perfectly. The 10x allows you to see more detail, and it works better in low light, plus the eye cups are long enough for the eye relief unlike the Zeiss so no blackouts! It makes the Curio look like junk. No wonder they sell so many on eBay.
Agree. Bought the 10x30 in Tokyo for around USD668 with tax.
Over the years I have owned and/or used the following compacts:
Opticron 7x24 MCF reverse poro
Trinovid 8x20
Trinovid 10x25
Nikon HG 10x25
Ultravid 10x25
Swaro 8x25 CL
Swaro 7x21 Curio
The best of the lot, without a doubt, is the Curio 7x21, closely followed by the Swaro 8x25 CL. 10x is just too fiddly to use and to small to hold stable enough to use - at least for me.
Opticron 7x24 MCF reverse poro
Trinovid 8x20
Trinovid 10x25
Nikon HG 10x25
Ultravid 10x25
Swaro 8x25 CL
Swaro 7x21 Curio
The best of the lot, without a doubt, is the Curio 7x21, closely followed by the Swaro 8x25 CL. 10x is just too fiddly to use and to small to hold stable enough to use - at least for me.
What is your opnion when comparing the CL 7x21 with the CL 8x25: Can I say that the CL 8x25 is the big brother of the CL 7x21? It's a bit heavier, has a bit more power, the AFOV and the exit pupil are about the same. It's just a bit bigger. Or do you see more difference in the optics? For instance Swarovski states that the transmission is 90% vs. 88%. Do they have different coatings? Other color cast?
Not sure about the difference in coatings but I think that the 7x21 is just that bit sharper and has more contrast. My CL 8x25 is from July 2016 and the 7x21 is from May 2022, so it could be that the newer CL 8x25 are better than my version. One thing that is noticeable is that the Curio handles glare much better than the 8x25. Both are very good though - its just that the Curio is slightly better.
My experience with both is the same as yours and purchased in @ same time frame. CL 8x25 is very nice but the I much prefer the Curio. As another member posted, at this excellent optical level it could well come down to individual handling preferences .
Mike
I have had the newest CL 10x30 and this one was very good in handling glare. You have the CL 8x30, right? How do the CL 8x25 and the CL 8x30 compare regarding glare?
I think my CL 8x30 (from Dec 2019) handles glare better than the 8x25. But I don't mean to imply that the 8x25 has a major problem with glare, not at all, only that you can get it sometimes when looking near the sun. The 8x30 has that rarely and the 7x21 almost never.
If you have a 32mm Bino, then don't bother with any of the 25mm options. They are too close to justify both (for me).
I have 8x32's, and I did own Swaro CL8x25's, but in reality, the Swaro's, and definately the Zeiss VP's, are a touch big for a really pocket friendly bino.
I sold my 8x25's and have gone (back) to 8x20 Ultravids, having been swayed by the larger everything on 8x25's!!!! Ultravid 8x20's are significantly smaller, and DO go in a pocket, or un-noticed around your neck.
If you want small, then buy small, and don't go half baked on it. Sure they are more fiddly, less bright.... but the image is superb, and plenty bright enough in daytime.
I use my 8x20's way more than I did my 8x25's, they are always with me, and I've got used to the tricky handling already..... even with spade sized hands!!
But before anyone jumps in on ergonomics, exit pupil, fiddly dual hinges etc..... YEP..... but that is the compromise of pocket bins. No getting around it.
I will always use my 8x32's primarily, but those little 8x20's do their job superbly..
25's are just too middle ground, unless you can only have 1 binocular, in which case I would definately recommend 25's over 20's. But even then, you may as well stretch to single hinge 30'/32's..... there's just not that much in it.
Well, that's my thoughts from someone who has been through it too.
I have 8x32's, and I did own Swaro CL8x25's, but in reality, the Swaro's, and definately the Zeiss VP's, are a touch big for a really pocket friendly bino.
I sold my 8x25's and have gone (back) to 8x20 Ultravids, having been swayed by the larger everything on 8x25's!!!! Ultravid 8x20's are significantly smaller, and DO go in a pocket, or un-noticed around your neck.
If you want small, then buy small, and don't go half baked on it. Sure they are more fiddly, less bright.... but the image is superb, and plenty bright enough in daytime.
I use my 8x20's way more than I did my 8x25's, they are always with me, and I've got used to the tricky handling already..... even with spade sized hands!!
But before anyone jumps in on ergonomics, exit pupil, fiddly dual hinges etc..... YEP..... but that is the compromise of pocket bins. No getting around it.
I will always use my 8x32's primarily, but those little 8x20's do their job superbly.
.25's are just too middle ground, unless you can only have 1 binocular, in which case I would definately recommend 25's over 20's. But even then, you may as well stretch to single hinge 30'/32's..... there's just not that much in it.
Well, that's my thoughts from someone who has been through it too
.If you have a 32mm Bino, then don't bother with any of the 25mm options. They are too close to justify both (for me).
I have 8x32's, and I did own Swaro CL8x25's, but in reality, the Swaro's, and definately the Zeiss VP's, are a touch big for a really pocket friendly bino.
I sold my 8x25's and have gone (back) to 8x20 Ultravids, having been swayed by the larger everything on 8x25's!!!! Ultravid 8x20's are significantly smaller, and DO go in a pocket, or un-noticed around your neck.
If you want small, then buy small, and don't go half baked on it. Sure they are more fiddly, less bright.... but the image is superb, and plenty bright enough in daytime.
I use my 8x20's way more than I did my 8x25's, they are always with me, and I've got used to the tricky handling already..... even with spade sized hands!!
But before anyone jumps in on ergonomics, exit pupil, fiddly dual hinges etc..... YEP..... but that is the compromise of pocket bins. No getting around it.
I will always use my 8x32's primarily, but those little 8x20's do their job superbly.
25's are just too middle ground, unless you can only have 1 binocular, in which case I would definately recommend 25's over 20's. But even then, you may as well stretch to single hinge 30'/32's..... there's just not that much in it.
Well, that's my thoughts from someone who has been through it too
Well said RG548 and thanks for sharing your real world experience in "picking pocket binoculars". One factor you discuss w/r/t selecting candidates to try bears repeating-- which pocket model would best complement, rather than be unreasonably redundant of, the bin(s) a person already has. On the other hand, if the point is to get a (modern at any rate) true pocket to "always have with you" the vetting process is simpler. For most that's going to be a 20 or 21 mm and thus either a 7 or 8x without the complication of throwing a 10x into the ring.
I would draw a slightly different line and say that if someone has a nice 8x32, a 25 mm model would still be worth considering whereas if one has a nice 8x30 then it would be less redundant to try 20/21 mm.
Mike
