Looking for pocket sized qualiti bino. (2 Viewers)

[Granpoli]

Hello,
I'm looking for a really compact, pocket-sized, quality binocular to take with me wherever I go, and to use it a lot, I've had an 8x25 and even when it was small it was too big for what I'm looking for. I also have a Papilio 6.5x21 and neither.
That is why I think it could be one of these three:

• Swarovski Curium 7x21
• Leica Ultravid 8x20
• Leica Trinovid 8x20

I think all three are the same size, something very important to me, their optical and mechanical quality? It's similar? If not, does it make up for the price difference between them? (Curio and Ultravid similar price, Trinovid lower price)
The Trinovid is not waterproof !!! The others do... I'm not very sure if this is too important... Is it worth it in your opinion?
Well, I would like to know your opinion on this subject.
Thank you
Poli

 

[Maljunulo]

Please tell us a bit about how you are defining “optical quality”.

 

[wllmspd]

I have a papilio and picked up a secondhand 8x20 trinovid for specifically always available use. Seemed to be the smallest and lightest. Takes a little fiddling to get the eye spacing set, but lovely views when you have.

Peter

 

[WJC]

Please tell us a bit about how you are defining “optical quality”.

There you go with all that logic, garbage again!

 

[[email protected]]

Hello,
I'm looking for a really compact, pocket-sized, quality binocular to take with me wherever I go, and to use it a lot, I've had an 8x25 and even when it was small it was too big for what I'm looking for. I also have a Papilio 6.5x21 and neither.
That is why I think it could be one of these three:

• Swarovski Curium 7x21
• Leica Ultravid 8x20
• Leica Trinovid 8x20

I think all three are the same size, something very important to me, their optical and mechanical quality? It's similar? If not, does it make up for the price difference between them? (Curio and Ultravid similar price, Trinovid lower price)
The Trinovid is not waterproof !!! The others do... I'm not very sure if this is too important... Is it worth it in your opinion?
Well, I would like to know your opinion on this subject.
Thank you
Poli

Swarovski Curio 7x21 would be my choice, and I have had most of the pocket binoculars. In a pocket, binocular 7x is easier to hold steady, the 7x21 has a bigger 3 mm EP making eye placement easier and making it brighter in low light, it is sharp to the edge, whereas the Leica's aren't, and it has a bigger FOV than the two Leica's while being just as small and compact.

 

[Maljunulo]

There you go with all that logic, garbage again!

Hi Bill;

It’s a bad habit of mine.

Richard

 

[fazalmajid]

The Swarovski is the best in your three choices, but I’d recommend the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25, Swarovski CL-B 8x30 or the Zeiss SFL over them, slightly larger but much better viewing comfort.

 

[WJC]

Hi Bill;

It’s a bad habit of mine.

Richard

If more people have that bad habit, binocular forums would shrink by 80%!

 

[Binocollector]

If more people have that bad habit, binocular forums would shrink by 80%!

And if people had manners and not feel the need to constantly badmouth a forum they're a member of, you'd be the first to go.

 

[WJC]

And if people had manners and not feel the need to constantly badmouth a forum they're a member of, you'd be the first to go.

Thank you; I’ll consider the source.

I’m just caustic because I continue to see people with 5 cents worth of experience making thousands in speculations.

As long as honest truth-seeking people keep being inundated in information that often has little connection with reality, sadly I will do my best to stand by the truth and optical realities, for the benefit of those who care about such things.

But if folks spent 10% as much time in research as they do in fostering their many speculations, we wouldn’t be at this juncture.

“Seize upon truth, wherever tis found
On Christian or on heathen ground
From our friends; from our foes
Neglect the prickle and assume the rose.”
— Rev. Issac Watts

If more folks could understand that, the bar of understanding would go through the roof and would spread tremendously.

The only time my barbs are ever directed at those of the many speculations is when they choose to hold to information that has been repeatedly proven to be wrong.

The truth does not cease to be true because some people find it to be lacking in political correctness.

If you were local, I would take you for a burger so you could see I have neither fangs nor horns.

Since you don't, I would ask you to consider why some people on binocular forums find me so irreverent and optical engineers, optics moguls, professors, technicians, and authors do not. I think it has more to do with the bino forum guy than me. See attached.

MY motivation:

“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.” — Winston Churchill

 

[fazalmajid]

It's worth mentioning again fellow forum member Gijs van Ginkel's detailed comparison of compact binoculars. It focuses on transmission rather than edge to edge sharpness or MTF graphs, but that is an important consideration in small aperture pocket binoculars.

Further discussion:

Gijs' Comprehensive Test of Transmission in Pocket Models

As Gijs has indicated elsewhere this morning, his test of around 20 different models, both past and present, has been posted at: https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/THE-NEW-SWAROVSKI-7X21-CURIO-def.pdf So lots of comparisons to be considered! John

www.birdforum.net

 

[fazalmajid]

On reading Granpoli's previous post, he already has a 8x25 and is really looking for the smallest binoculars he can get. In that case I'd suggest also looking at the Nikon 7x15 M CF, and IIRC Dennis speaks highly of the Nikon HG L DCF.

 

[Trinovid]

And if people had manners and not feel the need to constantly badmouth a forum they're a member of, you'd be the first to go.

Too bad you still have to see his posts. I haven’t had to in months now.

 

[Trinovid]

I think it could be one of these three:

• Swarovski Curio 7x21
• Leica Ultravid 8x20
• Leica Trinovid 8x20

My solution: I bought all three, but now only have the Curio 7x21, Ultravid 8x20 and Leitz 8x20.

Get them all and you’ll know which one you like the best. For me it’s either the Curio or Ultravid, with the tiny Leitz coming in first for compactness and price.

 

[GreenRooky]

I went for the ultravid as it was the best that was truly pocketable, as a result they get taken on almost every walk which they wouldn't if they had to be carried externally and for me, the best binoculars are the ones that are with me, lots of things I would of missed by not having them with me

 

[KeesJ]

Well, I would like to know your opinion on this subject.

At this moment I am on holiday and only carry a Kowa 8x25. It's really pocketable and the quality is just fine for me. I enjoy it all the time, use it mostly for birding.

 

[Maljunulo]

I think pocket binoculars are probably fine, if one is prepared to accept the optical compromises involved.

 

[Trinovid]

I think pocket binoculars are probably fine, if one is prepared to accept the optical compromises involved.

That’s really got nothing to do with the thread though and I suppose the same type of unsupportive thing could be said of non-pocketable binoculars being fine, as long as one was willing to deal with the extra bulk/weight, and higher costs.

 

[Maljunulo]

OP used the phrase “optical quality” which is, of necessity, compromised in pocket binoculars.

 

[Trinovid]

OP was specifically “Looking for pocket sized qualiti bino.”, hence making it a comparative search between pocket sized binoculars and completely irrelevant as to how they compare to larger options.