Compact binoculars!

[@themarksmanABP]

I have the victory 10x25, have had them for a few years. I was using them lastnight in countryside looking around as I was doing some wildlife photography. They impress me every single time I've ever used them. The field of view which I believe is class leading and quality of the image is outstanding. One day I will upgrade to top of the line Alphas too.

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

They are a very special glass. An experience rather than just a view.

[@tonyb83]

Thanks very much for an interesting video, especially showing the different sizes, which as you say is very important I went to your web site to find out more and found it difficult to compare the different compact binos by size, so i had to go back to your video see the different sizes, which took a fair bit of time. It would have been very useful if, at the end your video, you lined up the binos from the largest to ths smallest and named each one. Perhaps you could do that on your web site to help buyers like me choose by size as well as by make, quality and cost etcetera. Thanks in anticipation Tony Burch

[@mariumrajah]

I’ve had the Opticron 8x25 porro many years ago, they was ok I paid £100 2006. Later upgraded to Leica 10x25 ultravids in 2010, excellent 👌 binoculars probably the best, bad points is price £650+

[@jimmie2487]

Did you show the view of the oculars @ objective lenses?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Hi Jimmie I didn’t but will do a full look at these over we the New Year and will post the videos - hope you enjoy them 👍🏽

[@s.d.r1062]

Wich are better for bird viewing and wildlife in the woods. Victory Pocket 8x25 or Swarovski Curio 7x 21?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

In dense woodland you may enjoy the 7x power which is very stable and had a great focal depth. It also has a wide field of view of 135m at 1,000m and superbly bright resultant image.

[@daviddelaney363]

I want a low power model to enable viewing the ground at my feet. Why? Rock hounding.

[@Jaccayumitty]

Look at Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 or 8.5x21 binoculars. They're designed with insect watching in mind, so focus down to less than 50cm - most binos, even at lower power, can't focus as close as the ground at your feet. Optical quality on them is generally decent (at budget prices reverse porro prism designs are optically superior to roof prisms). The only issue with the Pentax Papilio is that they're not nitrogen purged so they can fog up in bad weather.

[@daviddelaney363]

@@Jaccayumitty Thx! Ordered!

[@miertjestoer9525]

If have to choose one : the Swarovski 10x25 or the Leica ultravid 10x25? Which one you would take at home? ( my feeling/ believing is that the Leica has better contrast and better colors but a slightly narower field of view.? ) thanks for the tip!!

[@cnick6]

You'll be happy with the Leica. Very bright and compact. Ultra sharp optics. Its focusing wheel feels a tad cheap but you'll quickly forget about it.

[@sinepari9160]

The Swaros are better, just saying.. and the customer service (if you need it) is superb if not a little slow due to having to return them to Austria. I tried both for a month on lease and settles on the Swaro 10x25's.

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

If minimum size is the critical factor, the Leica is smaller. If this may be too 'fiddly' then the Swarovski is the way to go.

[@AmericanProspector1776]

Just picked up some swaro 7x21, prob buy something more serious when i cross that road. I have a zeiss victory prf 8x26 rangefinder monocular, but too big for EDC

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Great little binocular 👍🏽

[@amirmf8234]

How is Fujinon HC compared with top brands like Swarovski or Leica or Zeiss?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Hi Amir - haven’t tried that particular binocular. Sorry. Have you?

[@amirmf8234]

@@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz not really,but I heard good things about it.I saw you have it in your website,that’s why I ask.

[@mrmaxaxl]

You are mostly talking about their sizes.. what about the actual viewing? Field of view? Sharpness?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Hi Max - will do a video specifically on that shortly. This was more about my experience of these type of binoculars as a first time user. Thanks for the comment - hopefully get that posted shortly for you 👍🏽

[@mrmaxaxl]

@@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz I see 😊. I look forward to it. I love the cool hobby of good optics/binoculars/spotting scopes! Soo much fun to explore the world in detail 😍

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

@@mrmaxaxl that’s great. What your current set up out of interest?

[@mrmaxaxl]

@@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz I enjoy watching boats, birds, nature and the stars! I have quite a big collection of (expensive) binos ans scopes; Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Swarovski SLC 15x56 Swarovski ATX with: 85 mm, 95 mm and the 115 mm objectives. Also the Swarovski BTX (AMAZING stereo viewing). Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 Zeiss SFL 8x40. It took me many years to buy them all but I love them! Each one have a different purpose and use. The BTX is perfect for faraway views like boats etc also: The moon and planets! It is the jewel in my crown 👑. I have to admit: I am a bit addicted to the feeling of looking through new amazing optics 😅. Next one will propably be the CL Curio. What about you? Which ones do you own? What do you use them for?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

@@mrmaxaxl really interesting collection I don’t have the extensive collection you have! Very jealous of that… I have the ZEISS 8x32 Victory SF - main binocular (however see below) ZEISS 8x32 FL (I love this binocular and cannot part with it) Scope wise - Swarovski BTX with the 115mm objective - as you have said pretty much the best thing I have looked through. The ease of viewing over a single eyepiece is not matched by anything else and I don’t miss a zoom. Prior to that I used the KOWA 774 with a fixed WA 30x I am selling my Victory SF to obtain the Swarovski NL PURE 12x42 - what an amazing binocular that is. Also the Leica ultravid 8x20 in leather is also a target for me… Just birding really. Thanks for the reply. Would be great to have you on the video podcast to chat about your optics 👍🏽

[@ThePPTP2]

Bought cl curio 2 years ago and chose between those and cl pocket 8x25... Not sure what was better in the end... nothing against the other top brands, but I just have not tested them... Curios work good for me an I wear glasses. I have also scl 8x42 that are bright as hell, but the curios I use on walks and city vacations. I do recommend them.. Next investment for me woul be a scope for birding... Any recommendations?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

The Curios are spectacular. You wouldn't know they weren't an 8x unless badged as the 7x that they are. They feel so planted. Why not consider the amazingly versatile new Swarovski ATC 17-40x56. It's a real companion piece and very bright with modern coatings. Thanks!

[@HHIto]

Sports?

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

For day time long distance views, go for a 10x power. If you are tracking a fast moving ball, you will likely prefer an 8x power for greater ease of following the subject at speed, thanks to its wider field of view.

[@martyn4501]

4:49 careful careful careful

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Careful??

[@martyn4501]

@@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz It sounded as if the little Utravid was set down quite hard.

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

@@martyn4501 ah I see!! Sorru

[@martyn4501]

@@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz Many -moons- years ago I wanted to buy a 10x50 Jena porro, the seller set it down hard on the counter and I thought that's the end of that one. Luckily, it suffered no ill-alignment and I ended up buying it. Perhaps it's me, I like to treat binoculars as sensitive optical devices and have a habit of setting them down semi softly.

[@timclark2305]

Are you new to this mate .....? Just comes across that you haven't got a clue what your talking about ... Give me a message if you need any guidance.. I used to know your former owner .... What would you say if anyone asked about the tangential field curvature....... You really need to know your stuff when your in this business... All the best Tim

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

Hi Tim Sure please give the shop a call would really love to speak to you. Can’t seem to message you on this platform. Be good to have a chat. All the best

[@AmericanProspector1776]

He trolling and probably jealous he didn't have the money to buy the business. Or I could be wrong

[@SouthWestOptics-tp8yz]

@@AmericanProspector1776 hi mate - I thought as much but trying to remain polite! 😂 cheers for the comment 👍🏽 he still hasn’t got in touch!