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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kkokkolis" data-source="post: 3305838" data-attributes="member: 127913">I carried everyday the Papilio 6,5x21 for over a year. It gives that 50 degrees view I saw in a Leica Ultravid 8x20 and a Steiner Safari 8x25 (Leica was way better than the Steiner), plus a more useful exit pupil than the typical 8x20, a great price and, of course, the incredible stereomicroscopic views. But now I have the Monarch 7 8x30 I replaced the Pentax with the Nikon. The fact is that it stays flat in its case, which protects it and it gives the full binocular experience with a nice widefield view. It is more shockproof and waterproof and has a nice neoprene strap. Also it has objective covers and real good ones. The Leica folds to a very compact and jewel like rectangular and feels very solid for its size. But the fact is that both the Monarch and the Papilio, without being much larger and heavier, cost less and give you more. They are essentially better. I therefore resist the appeal of these alpha compact roofs, and for even more compact needs I decided to buy a Docter 8x21 C Monocular, which gives close focusing with add on lenses, sacrificing the stereoscopic view (but I still can carry the Papilio when I want to). No need to unfold it for your interpupillary distance in order to take a quick glance at the roadsign across the  street. I went a long way to denounce giant and mini giant binoculars (a heritage of my astronomy hobby) and then compacts. Anything larger than the Canon IS 18x50 and smaller than the Papilio wouldn't see much use.</blockquote>

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