decent/Good compact binoculars recommendations?

[disney]

Good morning all. I am hoping you can help me spend some money (wisely) I am searching for a decent pair of compact binoculars mainly to carry while backpacking. budget is ideally between 100-150$. Would go higher only for large improvement/warranty/or zoom. Weight and size are very important, so that likely means folding (roof prism) and I believe that eliminates zoom. if choice is between 8, 10x, would likely take the 10 power. As far as I know, I have no special eye needs (not cross eyed, both eyes equal, etc) Thanks in advance.

 

[RNeumann]

Glass is a largely personal choice. You are in or near a big enough City it would be wise to find someplace that sells several brands. I’ve purchased and sold Bushnell and Vortex because I didn’t like them. I didn’t like Redfield at all but love Leupold (same company)- I have several Leupold products. Trijicon sells good stuff too. Near the bottom of the price scale I like Simmons. I spend most of my time looking through glass that costs thousands- but fo some reason Simmons isn’t bad to my eye.

 

[teejk]

My newest binocs are Nikon (not compacts) but I have been very happy for the price...very clear optics and light gathering. Check out OpticsPlanet.com for a wide selection of brands. I see they have a Nikon compact 10x for about $90.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Luepold and Nikon are two great choices. Check on the warranty and repair issues on what ever brand and product it is you decide you might buy.

 

[disney]

Currently leaning towards Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x25mm partly due to their warranty, but still open to all options.

 

[/pine]

Before you spend more than $50 go in some sporting goods departments and check out the selections of some of the less costlier products...it is amazing how good some of the small, very light, very ergonomic, fast focusing glasses are these days that don't cost a fortune...they may not have the German or Swiss monikers but some of the very inexpensive glasses are well worth a look (pun intended)...

 

[Otto Syracuse]

I have used Nikon and Bushnell, those will be in your price range. I recently purchased a pair of Vortex, and they are far better than any of my previous binoculars. The pair I have are the Diamondback 10x42 and I am very happy with them. Lifetime warranty too! I purchased them from Cabelas because I had points to burn, I think Amazon has a better price on them. Of course I would love to have a Leopold, but I could never bring myself to spend that amount of money for something I might leave behind in the back of a bus.

 

[RNeumann]

I have used Nikon and Bushnell, those will be in your price range. I recently purchased a pair of Vortex, and they are far better than any of my previous binoculars. The pair I have are the Diamondback 10x42 and I am very happy with them. Lifetime warranty too! I purchased them from Cabelas because I had points to burn, I think Amazon has a better price on them. Of course I would love to have a Leopold, but I could never bring myself to spend that amount of money for something I might leave behind in the back of a bus.

I’ll second Cabela’s. They typically have about 100 pairs to try. As you can see from the posts Bushnell and Vortex have both elicited good and bad reports. It’s hard to just purchase based on reviews and opinions. Learned that the hard way!

 

[thatguy]

I just bought a pair of Vortex Viper 8x28 to take to Alaska - these compacts but the image is very sharp and bright.. They will run you about $300 though

Before I had a pair of bushnell compact Legend HD 10x26 that are a good value I thought..

As mentioned binocs are highly personal, you need to go look at a lot of different ones to see what fits you best..

brian

 

[disney]

Nearest Cabela’s is over 400 miles away, Sports Academy had few choices in compacts--all basic/economy models--told me to look online... will try to get to bass pro shop, but that's more than an hour drive... Again thanks to all who have responded.