Hey guys,

Friday I am going to be purchasing a new set of compact binoculars for archery hunting. I am looking to spend $135.00 or less! I want something that is powerful, weather-proof, and light. I want something rugged and tough, but, I also want power.


So far, I am looking at a few and wanted to ask your opinions on them.

1. Cabelas Compact Wide Angle 10X25 ($119.99)
2. Leupold Wind River Mesa 10X23 ($119.99)
3. Tasco Sonoma (8-20X25) ($49.99)
4. Pentax UCF-X 10X25 ($119.99)
5. Pentax Compact Weather Resistant 10X24 ($129.99)
6. Pentax UCF Zoom 8-16X21 ($149.99)
7. Bushnell Powerview Compact 9-27X25 ($89.99)
8. Bushnell Powerview Compact 16X32 ($42.99)
9 Bushnell Trophy 10X27 ($89.99)
10. Nikon Buckmasters 10X21 ($69.99)

My best friend has the Nkon Buchmasters 10X21 and they are awsome. They are pretty much what I am looking for. They are weather-proof, light, tough, and compact. The only thing is, I would like a little more power out of them. If any of the more powerfull binoculars on the list above, could be comparable in weight, size, and durability, then, I would prefer them.

Any info on these binoculars, which one picks up light the best, which one is the clearest, which one is the most " weather proof" , and which is the best deal, would be appreciated!

Jason,
I' m not a big fan of " Compact" binos myself so I don' t know MUCH about them, I do know that a little while back my buddy was shopping for a pair himself so we wound up looking thru a bunch at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, and the pair that stood out wasn' t on your list.
He wound up getting the Nikon " Travelite V" (I think they were 10X25' s) and they were super clear and really nice. I think he got them for $110.
We could see the 3D competitors arrows clearly from the other side of the small arena if that gives you an idea.

See if any offer " fog proof" . That' s my #1 complaint about my small binoculars. They stay fogged up most the time.- bushnell, probably your #8.

BM....I agree with Matt. I have the Nikon Travelite' s as well, and for a compact they are great. I use mine all the time and love them. I' d recommend 8x25 for compacts....you want all the light gathering ability you can get. 9 or 10 power isn' t going to give you any advantage, just lessen your light gathering ability even more...which is already cut short on compacts.

I picked up a pair of the Nikon Travelites 9X25 this past spring at Dick' s Sporting goods for $110.00. I thought that they were pretty clear for the money, but they aren' t water proof!! If I had to do it over again, I would get the Bushnell 8X32 Legend(?) for $239.00, these have awesome optics and are phase corrected along with weather proof as well!!