I am looking into upgrading my binoculars. I currently have Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 7x42.

Being cheap, I have been scouring the second hand market in camera shops as well, looking for bargains.

Ideally, I would like bincouculars which weigh less than 28oz (790 grams?) and probably either 8x or 10x magnification with 42mm objective lenses.

I am considering Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss binoculars.

I have also been giving thought to those little booster lenses which double (Swarovski) or triple (Zeiss) the binocular's magnification and enable it to function as an expedient spotting scope.

While the two above mentioned manufacturers make these boosters, it appears Leica do not. None the less, I wondered whetehr these boosters were make specific for fixing thread or were they 'generic' optical fixing threads?

In other words, would it be possible to fit a Swarovski booster to a Leica?


Any experience - comments?

I am a huge fan of the 10x42 binos for the mountains.

Minox isn't a bad make for the money.

You should be able to get your hands on the Zeiss 10X40BGA Classics for a good price and they are reasonably light too.

for hill i would use 8x32 swro ,there lovely

Leica Ultravid 10X32.
Very light, very clear.
IMO not too different to the 10X42 which is almost twice the weight.

Stay away from the doublers. Their only function is to take a good binocular and turn it into a very bad spotting scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:
Stay away from the doublers. Their only function is to take a good binocular and turn it into a very bad spotting scope.

Ditto on the doublers. A small backpacking size spotting scope works better than a doubler. 8x42 zeiss for best bino weight wise-8x42 leica trinovid for tough.

Rob,

Why not go for as spotting scope from the outset? I haven't got huge experience on the hill, but I found the spotting scope the best tool for the job while up there and then you will still have a use for your B+L's?

Rgds,
FB

Thank you all for your replies.

I have a 'tradional Scottish' stalkers spotting scope - the pirate's draw tube type. Frankly, I find it "fiddly" to focus in use. None the less, it is enjoyable - traditional and gets the job done.

The new Zeiss spotting scopes look good, but are spendy. A contrarian thought though, I do not want to go out equiped like a military sniper.

I am going to keep my Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 7x42 for 'woods stalking'. I found the image quality is nearly as good as the much heavier Swarovski 7x42 SLC, at least to my eyes. My eye sight is not great, good enough to drive etc obviously, but I wear contact lenses.

I had my doubts about 'doublers'. My initial impressions were they suited the Germanic gadgetry mind set and that the end result would / could not be nearly as good as separate, dedicated 'tools'.

Quick aside, before anyone thinks I am prejudiced against Germans, and things German (including the Austrians), most of my quality goods, whether sporting or domestic, are either German made and designed, or designed.

Before you buy it is well worth a look at the Minox HG line. There are still some of the old model ones about I think for around £400 for the 8.5X43. Designed in Germany using German glass and the older ones were made in Japan though the newer ones are also assembled in Germany now. I've no idea what the 2nd hand price on them is like but you could save enough for a few days stalking.

robthom.
Among others, I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest binos, 12x45.
Weight is 700 gram with neckstrap and lense covers.

Not top shelf optically, but amazingly good as long as there is ample light present.
No dusk and dawn binos, but for daylight use and spotting they are a bargain.

I have used tham mostly when mountain hiking, but also when stalking, looking up reds bedded down in daylight.
So far I will say that they are a lot of glass for the money.

swarovski 8.5 x 42. I have had more pleasure from a decent pair of binos than any rifle or other bit of kit I have possessed (oh well, maybe a waterproof jacket!) . The sheer pleasure of watching not just deer but other wildlife when stalking has more than paid for itself

I bought a pair of Leica Geovids 10x42 a couple of years ago! Great tool for mountain work! Optically very good and with range finder..

Thank you gentlemen for your replies.

I found a Leica 10x42 Ultravid BR in green at a good price, mint condition.

So far, looking around the downs and fields, I am happy with it.

I have one old Swaroski 10x40 prisma sistem! Recently i have send to Swaroski for the clening...is we new!!!


Idea for my next binoculars sure leica!

i use leica Geovids 8x42 ,i had zeiss Bgats for years before them .
i do find the ranger finder handy for clients. also culling ,when i have a few animals down i can range back to my firing point to get my bearings.

the OP was looking for a lite pair , these are not lite or compact .

8x32 swro are .

I have used Zeiss and Swarovski bino's. Just got a pair of the Leupold goldring, I think they are the best! Little heavier but I think their worth it. Cabela's has them for $100 off and Leupold will give another $100 rebate. Check them out!

robthom

I bought a pair of Bushnell Excursion EX 8x42 from the CLA Game Fair at the weekend. I am looking forward to using them on the hill in Scotland this year and when i go to Zimbabwe next year. I paid £225 for them. They are nice and light (630grams)

Mike

I bought a pair of 8x32 Kahles the other day for stalking.....very nice optics at a good price (440 Euros).

Both my Tyrolian PH and I had the same taste in terms of binos for mountain stalking : Swaro 10x42 EL !

This class I, 14 year old, Chamois buck didn't object either...

i have a pair of leica 8x42 rangefinders there great for open ground but have a set of 8x32 for woodland