Don't jump on me about compact binoculars before you hear why I'm asking

I plan to take my Zeiss 8X40 binocular on my trip to Namibia, but I don't have another decent pair for my wife to carry. I will have little use for another full size binocular after the hunt and I could really use a pair of compacts.

I have ruled out Steiners because they flat out don't work for me. I can't get a good picture with any of the several pairs I have tried, it's something about my vision.

So......what do you suggest for a decent pair of reasonably priced compact binoculars (no more than 8X)?

[This message has been edited by GonHuntin (edited 04-20-2002).]

Gon Huntin,

Check out this site www.betterviewdesired.com
(The guy seems partial to Nikon Diplomat 8X23)
It might give some idea about preformance vs price, and optics are quite personal.

All the best

//Jens

I'm not sure what you consider reasonable, but have you considered the Leica compacts? I have a pair of the 10x25's that I really like. I believe that they also have an 8x. Leica makes great optics all the way around.

Jim Rockstad, 805-434-3567, carries a huge inventory of new, used and demo German optics at the best prices I have found. I have dealt with him for many years and purchased, scopes, binos, and spotting scopes from him. He is also a great guy with a very interesting business. I am sure he can help you.

GonHuntin,

I've been using a pair of Leupold Gold Ring 9 X 25's for a couple of years. No complaints. I wouldn't want them as a primary pair on a safari but in a day pack bowhunting or on horse back they do the job.
Rich Elliott

------------------
Ethiopian Rift Valley Safaris

I really enjoy dealing with Jim Rockstad as well. He's the most honest and fair guy in the business, and when it comes to fine European optics, I simply won't work with anyone else.

AD

My wife, my brother, and my sister-in-law went to Africa last year. I brought a pair of Cabela 10x20s and a pair of Kern 8x30's. My brother brought a pair of Steiners. Every time I looked for my Kerns, someone had them. They are really good glass and they are reasonable. You can order them through that company that has full page ads in Safari Times. They are about $200-250. I am getting ready for a trip right now, and they are going and I am leaving my Leica 10x30s. These are really nice. They are not compacts but they are plenty small. I'll look up the number of the folks if you thing you'd be interested. Ku-dude

Although I have an old pair of Leupold golden rings that I have had for years, I used a pair of fairly cheap ($180) 8x30 old Stieners a bit last year that belong to my son and I was impressed with them. I have little use of compacts as they fall way short in the early and late hours of the day as they don't pull in much light..Thats the witching hour for the hunter.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I use a pair of Leica 8x20's very much. Both for hunting and for general use. I also have a pair of good 10x40�s (Pentax) but I often take the Leica's anyway. They work well in all but the poorest light conditions, they are small and handy and the optics are simply brilliant!