Pocket binoculars that fit in your pocket! (1 Viewer)

[John A Roberts]

Hi Imans66 (post #28),

A couple of images showing the size differences:
Firstly from Michael and Diane Porter at Birdwatching: http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2018_pocket_bins/chart_2018.html
And then from Dennis at: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/monocular-8x20-or-5x15.375938/page-2#post-3845907

The second makes clear that if you want maximum compactness combined with binocular viewing,
either the 6x15 or 7x15 Nikon Mikron needs to be seriously considered
However, for some the fatal limitation will be the 10 mm eye relief, see the attached specifications


John

 

[lmans66]

Nice John.....great image comparison and just what I was looking for. It is intriguing to visually see the differences. I know I have played with the Zeiss pocket and thought it was really small...( At the time I had my HT to compare it to, so it hit home on the size of each!) It is hard to image one of the other's such as the Leica, Nikon as they are even smaller...

I think one thing that has to be brought up given that this thread is all about 'in your pocket', is a monocular. Not that I have one, but given the size of some of these bins, it might pay to look at the monocular too. It just depends on your needs. But if stuffing in a pocket is what you want, the monocular might be the way to go. For hiking or in your backpack or biking, any will do nicely. In all cases, quite the 'niche' of a product, jim

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Jim,

In the last few years here on BirdForum, there’s been a surprising amount of discussion along with images, of small binoculars and monoculars
e.g. see the following:

Tiny, Miniature, Pocket instruments

Hi, I keep thinking of buying a Nikon Mikron via ebay but can't decide between 6x15 and 7x15. I have heard there is a version with better prisms. And then there are used Trinovids and Ultravids, even I think an old 6x20 Zeiss, and of course the Svaro 8x25 and the incredible Zeiss Victory...

www.birdforum.net

Show us your Pocket Monocular

I got really into the pocket monocular recently. Bought two Zeiss Turmon 8x21 and an Eschenbach 8x21. The Zeiss being old still has great optics. The Eschenbach (seems to be a copy of the Docter) is made of plastic and has quite a bad quality finish. Many defects on the outside and the...

www.birdforum.net

Looking for tiny mono/ binocular

Hello, I have several models of binoculars, with different magnifications and diameters ,but I need one that is very small but of quality, to carry it more or less continuously or to places where I can not take the others,and not only would I use it to see birds, but also landscapes...

www.birdforum.net

John

 

[fazalmajid]

Nice pics. It does show how the victory are not as compact with the sticky out hinge.

The single hinge definitely adds bulk, and I agree it was the wrong decision. The optics of the Victory Pocket more than make up for it, though.

 

[Sprite1275]

The single hinge definitely adds bulk, and I agree it was the wrong decision. The optics of the Victory Pocket more than make up for it, though.

How would you say the optics compare between the victory and Leica UV? I'd imagine the victory are easier to use but how does the image quality compare?

 

[jan van daalen]

FWIW, the pics show the 8x and regarding Zeiss and Swarovski there is no difference in size between the 8 and 10x. There is a reasonable difference in length between the Leica 8 and 10x.
Also, the 8x of Leica is 20mm and Swaro/Zeiss count 25mm.
This makes (in 8x) the image of the Swaro and Japanese Victory in quality brighter.

Jan

 

[fazalmajid]

How would you say the optics compare between the victory and Leica UV? I'd imagine the victory are easier to use but how does the image quality compare?

My eyes are the limiting factor, but the Victory Pocket competes with the Ultravid 8x32, not the 8x20 (I sold my UV 8x32 HD after getting the Zeiss).

 

[Sprite1275]

Well I now have my little Leica.

 

[Sprite1275]

Lovely little things. They are small enough to fit in my trouser pockets thankfully. Im also surprised how easy I find it to look through them. I thought they would be a little fiddly but there fine, and that's with glasses on. Focus wheel turns nice and easy and the dioptre is pretty cool.

Anyway here are some more pics for reference incase anyone is searching.

 

[jring]

Hi,

congratulations on your new toy and great that 2.5mm exit pupil works for you (unlike me - I don't really like my pair of 10x25 Zeiss Conquests due to that).

Have fun with it!

Joachim

 

[lmans66]

Ah...those pictures do show 'it all'....love the picture comparing it to the Swiss army knife!!!! ... Those Frontiers stand out as well as the Papillo's which are relatively small in themself. So when looking at the difference between a monocular and a 8x20 (as you have) and determining which to get, I suppose why not get the binocular as they are pretty small as it is.... plus the added benefit of just a bit easier to hold to eyes. jim

 

[willisoften]

Good health to enjoy them! I'm very jealous!

Will

 

[Sancho]

Beautiful. Mine are the rubbery ones. But your leather ones have a cachet all of their own. Enjoy in good health!

 

[Sprite1275]

Hi,

congratulations on your new toy and great that 2.5mm exit pupil works for you (unlike me - I don't really like my pair of 10x25 Zeiss Conquests due to that).

Have fun with it!

Joachim

Thanks. Yes I was worried about the 2.5 exit pupil and not being able to get out and view some I took a gamble. Im still surprised how easy i find them to look through.

Ah...those pictures do show 'it all'....love the picture comparing it to the Swiss army knife!!!! ... Those Frontiers stand out as well as the Papillo's which are relatively small in themself. So when looking at the difference between a monocular and a 8x20 (as you have) and determining which to get, I suppose why not get the binocular as they are pretty small as it is.... plus the added benefit of just a bit easier to hold to eyes. jim

I suppose you could get better exit pupil with a monocular for the same size but i much prefer to have binoculars. Couldnt be doing with the eye squinting with a monocular, I find it bad enough when adjusting the diopter

Good health to enjoy them! I'm very jealous!

Will

Beautiful. Mine are the rubbery ones. But your leather ones have a cachet all of their own. Enjoy in good health!

They're stunning. love the look of them and one of the reasons i went for them. I must admit i would feel safer with the rubber ones but ill just have to be careful.

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Hi guys

Not looking for bins anywhere near the same league as those discussed above but can anyone suggest a reasonable robust light pocket binoculars for an elderly lady who just enjoys watching birds in the local area - I had a cheap pocket roof prism pair many years ago that I kept in a handbag (for emergencies) and they were pretty good quality for the price but I gave them to a friend’s kid. - I paid about £80 if I remember rightly but that was 25 years ago! I wish I could remember the make. There’s no point in me ordering her a decent pair, she just wants to look at birds out of her window and while sitting in the garden occasionally. An autofocus pair might work too as she has quite shaky hands and it’s not for long distance. Her budget is anything up to around £120. Thanks! 🙂

 

[jan van daalen]

Hi guys

Not looking for bins anywhere near the same league as those discussed above but can anyone suggest a reasonable robust light pocket binoculars for an elderly lady who just enjoys watching birds in the local area - I had a cheap pocket roof prism pair many years ago that I kept in a handbag (for emergencies) and they were pretty good quality for the price but I gave them to a friend’s kid. - I paid about £80 if I remember rightly but that was 25 years ago! I wish I could remember the make. There’s no point in me ordering her a decent pair, she just wants to look at birds out of her window and while sitting in the garden occasionally. An autofocus pair might work too as she has quite shaky hands and it’s not for long distance. Her budget is anything up to around £120. Thanks! 🙂

Hi Deb,

Shaking hands and autofocus has nothing to do with each other and I would suggest to stay away from both.
Weight "helps" reducing tremor effects so the best thing is to go for a 6 of 8x30/32, since she will use it only sitting outside and/or at the window.
Opticron would be a good option but I am sure some English friends here will help you out..

Jan

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Thanks Jan - I realise that, what I meant was she may have difficulty getting her finger to locate and rest on the focus wheel but thank you for your comments - hopefully it won’t be an issue.

Troubadour, thank you!! Binoculars ordered 🙂

 

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How would you say the optics compare between the victory and Leica UV? I'd imagine the victory are easier to use but how does the image quality compare?

Either the Zeiss Victory 8x25 or Swarovski CL-P 8x25 because of their bigger aperture are going to have better optics, superior low light performance and easier eye placement than the Leica Ultravid 8x20 but the Leica will be more pocketable. You have to decide what your priorities are.

 

[tenex]

Anyway here are some more pics for reference incase anyone is searching.

Why does the case look half again as big as necessary? The Monovid case has a similar problem, which largely defeats the purpose of so compact an instrument, especially since they don't come with endcaps in order to dispense with one.

 

[Maljunulo]

........ because of their bigger aperture are going to have better optics .....

Dennis;

Could you explain to an amateur exactly how that works, so that a bigger aperture results in "better optics"?