This is my first post on the forum, and I don't have a ton of experience with high end optics, so bear with me, please.
I am looking for a pair of pocket binoculars for wildlife spotting and general use during backpacking. Size and weight are the main constraints, as I intend to have to have the instrument at the ready, riding in one of the pack's hipbelt pockets.
I had read various reviews on these forums and other sites, narrowed my choices down a bit and ordered an Ultravid 8x20, a Swarovski CL Pocket 8x25, another CL Pocket in 10x25 (identical or nearly so form factor) and a Hawke Sapphire ED 8x25.
I didn't perform any formal testing, nor would I know how, I simply observed various objects at varying distances and noted my impressions.
The Sapphire ED was quickly eliminated due to lack of edge to edge clarity, at least in the copy I received. The difference between it and the more expensive binos was pronounced enough not to warrant spending more than a few minutes with it.
The Swarovski 8x25 and 10x25 are really nice optically, the eyepieces are comfortable - I especially liked the 8x25 model, probably due to its larger exit pupil. The problem that I have with both of them is that they're quite bulky and rather heavy, weighing about 50% more than the other binoculars. I'm not sure I'd put them in the pocket category, really, having one in a pocket feels like carrying a miniature brick. I did notice that the larger size and added heft provided for greater stability, however.
One other thing that caught my eye with both the 8x25 and the 10x25 was noticeable distortion while panning the binoculars (globe effect). The 10x25 exhibited it to a greater degree. Is this is a known characteristic of Swarovski's pocket model range?
Finally, the Leica. I really like its diminutive size. They're also excellent optically, at least to my fairly untrained eye. The only issue I have with them is their small exit pupil makes them rather sensitive to placement, which makes the process considerably more fussy than with the Swarovskis, but at this size it's a tradeoff I may be willing to take.
This post was longer than I intended, but to get down to brass tacks - should I keep looking? Is there anything else not on my radar that's worth investigating, or do I bite the bullet and keep the Ultravid with its inevitable compromises?
I am looking for a pair of pocket binoculars for wildlife spotting and general use during backpacking. Size and weight are the main constraints, as I intend to have to have the instrument at the ready, riding in one of the pack's hipbelt pockets.
I had read various reviews on these forums and other sites, narrowed my choices down a bit and ordered an Ultravid 8x20, a Swarovski CL Pocket 8x25, another CL Pocket in 10x25 (identical or nearly so form factor) and a Hawke Sapphire ED 8x25.
I didn't perform any formal testing, nor would I know how, I simply observed various objects at varying distances and noted my impressions.
The Sapphire ED was quickly eliminated due to lack of edge to edge clarity, at least in the copy I received. The difference between it and the more expensive binos was pronounced enough not to warrant spending more than a few minutes with it.
The Swarovski 8x25 and 10x25 are really nice optically, the eyepieces are comfortable - I especially liked the 8x25 model, probably due to its larger exit pupil. The problem that I have with both of them is that they're quite bulky and rather heavy, weighing about 50% more than the other binoculars. I'm not sure I'd put them in the pocket category, really, having one in a pocket feels like carrying a miniature brick. I did notice that the larger size and added heft provided for greater stability, however.
One other thing that caught my eye with both the 8x25 and the 10x25 was noticeable distortion while panning the binoculars (globe effect). The 10x25 exhibited it to a greater degree. Is this is a known characteristic of Swarovski's pocket model range?
Finally, the Leica. I really like its diminutive size. They're also excellent optically, at least to my fairly untrained eye. The only issue I have with them is their small exit pupil makes them rather sensitive to placement, which makes the process considerably more fussy than with the Swarovskis, but at this size it's a tradeoff I may be willing to take.
This post was longer than I intended, but to get down to brass tacks - should I keep looking? Is there anything else not on my radar that's worth investigating, or do I bite the bullet and keep the Ultravid with its inevitable compromises?