My dad has apparently stolen my 9x28 pentax, which I loved having a quality pair of compacts on me vs. none(ie when didn't feel like hauling my bulkier 10x43 around)

Now I'm wondering do I get another pair of 8x28 sized binos? Or go to a 8x32 sized bino?

Do the 32's feel much bigger than a pair of 28's? or about the same?
Do they fell like 43's?

I'm asking about size more than weight in this case btw.

Thanks.

I use 12X42 Nikon Monarchs


Never had a concern with them !

An 8x32 is going to be considerably better than an 8x28, at least in my opinion. I have a really hard time enjoying a pair of binos that compact, eye relief is really an issue on those smaller binos and I can never get quite comfortable.

They won't feel much bigger than the 28mm, but I think the performance is well worth the slight increase in size. There is also a noticeable difference between a 32/33mm objective and a 42/43mm objective. The 32/33mm is a great compromise between size and performance.

Take a good look at Pentax DCF ED 8x32's. Got these as a gift. Nice. Compact and light weight enough for my typical style hunting in the woods, but pretty darn good for longer range spotting.

Sorry to hear about your dad . That has to suck.

I am with Optics camp that you will like the 8x32 over the 8x28. I much prefer a full size set myself but when going compact bigger is better. Most of the 8x32 out there are considerably larger than a set of compact 8x25's so to answer your question yes they are going to feel more like a full set of binos.

One of the best kept secrets in compact binos is Nikons 8x36 compacts. They are super clear and super small. At $109 they are a steal.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...6&src=exrbSrch

They have a refurbished pair for $55 dollars. With Nikons lifetime warranty its sort of hard to go wrong with that route.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...ng%20Binocular

They are not compacts by any means but for a full set of binos that have a small feel to them Minox has the 8x42 BVII. Its a wonderful set of glass that I hold next to my Swarovski's and Lecias and to tell you the truth its really hard to tell the difference in most hunting situation. Maybe if I was a bird watcher the case might be different but in low light, eastern woods hunting and open field conditions they serve me just as well as Ik glass does. At $149 bucks they are a steal.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62028