Does anyone out there have or prefer to hunt with small/compact binos ever over mid/full sized binos?

I have some nice Pentax DCF-SP 10x43's,

and some junky 8x25's etc...you know, the $30 variety...

considering buying some nice 9x28's for when I'd like to have some smaller binos but still some quality viewing.

In the past I've gone without bino's on occasion to save weight, and those lil junkers are just about worthless.

Anyone out there solved this dilemna with some decent compacts?


Looking at the Pentax DCF-LV 9x28 for around $170.

I usually carry Swarovski 8x30 SLC binoculars when the hunt calls for a good bit of hiking. They are fairly small and light and the quality is very good.

I solved the problem by not carrying binoculars. I carry a monocular range finder. It's fixed power 6x and works great for glassing areas. The plus is you've got it right there to get a range as soon as you see something.

Well here in Washington the land of 3point minimum on mulies U need to have a really good pair of binos in yer hand to see if there R eyegaurds or maybe a little sticker hangin out there that that just might be kinda hard to see with a pair of compacts

I was hunting Africa with clients this past September. One of the guys brought along a pair of M24 US military compact binos. He told me he got them on e-bay for around $150.00. I may be mistaken but I think they were marked Northrup Grumman. They were extremely clear and great size for carrying in the bush.I have an older pair of compact Leupolds and really could'nt see much difference. The only minor drawback was the rangefinding reticle which you sort of had to look past as glassing. But than again it could come in handy, never know when you will want to call in heavy artillery on a entrenched warthog.
All kidding aside these appear to be great binoculars for the money.

I use a pair of Nikon Monarch ATB (dream season) 8X36 binos.

They're light weight, don't take up much room at all, perfect magnification at 8X, do pretty darn good in low light and don't cost a whole bunch of dough.

Nikon Monarch ATB 12X42 realtree APG

5.7 " & 21.9 oz's

and

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...ocular+harness


Compact enough but still good for evaluating and always at hand !

Burris Signature Select 8 or 10x32, super clear, compact, made in the USA, not too expensive. I have the 8x32 and really like them. I definately prefer the compact binos, they're a heck of a lot better than the full size ones that get left in the truck...

Some of the Brunton compacts are good glass in the midrange for price and quality/image.

http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php?cat=1

We use Nikon Traveller 8x25, they work great if we dont want to carry our new Bushnell 10x42s.