OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Other Optics > Binoculars
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Compact binoculars-Bushnell Legend 9x25
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Compact binoculars-Bushnell Legend 9x25

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Gmount View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/19/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gmount Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Compact binoculars-Bushnell Legend 9x25
    Posted: July/13/2007 at 15:38
Has anyone tried these? They seem nice-rainguard (which I love on my scopes), BAK-4, phase coated, compact, priced right.

I'm torn between the 9x25's and the 8x32's. The compacts have a smaller exit pupil, but are smaller and lighter overall. I want something to walk around the woods with, but not hunt with,  and preferably something that will fit in a pocket.
Back to Top
Bird Watcher View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: August/30/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1523
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 18:16
I would go with the 32's, as it will give you more 'light gathering' for those walks in the wooods.
Back to Top
Gmount View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/19/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gmount Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 20:00
Originally posted by Bird Watcher Bird Watcher wrote:

I would go with the 32's, as it will give you more 'light gathering' for those walks in the wooods.


I'm sort of interested in the size issue too. Do you think the 2.8 exit pupil will really dim things down?
Back to Top
ND2000 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: January/29/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 308
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 21:20
Gmount -

Yes, a 2.8mm exit pupil will dim things down.  Also, the exit pupil does not tell the entire story.  A 32 mm objective lens will inherently let in more light than a 25 mm, regardless of power (and therefore the resulting exit pupil). 

If light gathering ability is a big concern for you, I wouldn't get compacts.

ND2000
You either get what you pay for or what you deserve.
Back to Top
Bird Watcher View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: August/30/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1523
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 21:43
Obviously it won't get as much light to your eye as the 4mm E.P. will.

The larger the objective's diameter the more light the binocular can gather and the brighter the image with more sharpness and detail.

The bigger lenses have a larger central area (sweet spot) of resolution than smaller ones.

High magnification yields lower brightness levels, coupled with the smaller aperture your views won't be as bright, especially if it is cloudy, or around dawn or dusk.

Of course everything is influenced by the overall quality of the optical glass, the prisms, and the optical coatings.

For example, EBC/Electron Beam Coatings or FMC/Fully Multi-Coated optics will generally be brighter than lesser coatings because they allow more light to pass through(light transmission).

One of the best compact binoculars on the market today, at a reasonable price, is the Leupold Katmai series in either 6x32, 8x32, or 10x32. If your are using them in the woods the 6x32 will give you the most brightness and the widest FOV.

If those are out of your price range there is also the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 porro prism binocular.

Edited by Bird Watcher
Back to Top
Gmount View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/19/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gmount Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 21:59
Originally posted by Bird Watcher Bird Watcher wrote:

Obviously it won't get as much light to your eye as the 4mm E.P. will.


One of the best compact binoculars on the market today, at a reasonable price, is the Leupold Katmi series in either 6x32, 8x32, or 10x32. If your are using them in the woods the 6x32 will give you the most brightness and the widest FOV.


Thanks for the info. How would you compare the glass in the Katami vs. the Legend 8x32? Is it worth the $100 difference?
Back to Top
Bird Watcher View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: August/30/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1523
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/13/2007 at 22:25
Bushnell Legend has always had a good reputation.

However, no two people are alike. Some have looked thru the Legend and were not impressed. Myself, I really do not prefer anything under 50mm for brightness. My eyes are getting old so I have a leaning towards higher magnification (for detail) and larger aperture (for brightness).

I have not looked through very many Legends but I have looked through alot of Leupold binoculars, especially the Katmai. Personally, from what I have looked through, and read, I would go with the Katmai if I were looking for a compact. The 6x32mm gives you a 5.33mm E.P. and eye relief is 19.2mm if you wear eyeglasses.

Edited by Bird Watcher
Back to Top
ronnie View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: February/15/2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 102
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ronnie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/14/2007 at 01:19
Gmount i have a pair of 8x26 legend poros that i bought for for turkey hunting .these bins are worth the money.I wasnt expecting much from these but i have been very pleased and they serve my purpose well.Bright and clear image even in the rain with the rain guard{it works} .Now if you want a lowlight bin you might ought to look at 32 mm or bigger. Im not saying my little 8x26  are horrible when things get dim but bigger exit pupil makes a difference in lowlight.
Back to Top
Gmount View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/19/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gmount Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/14/2007 at 08:21
Originally posted by ronnie ronnie wrote:

Gmount i have a pair of 8x26 legend poros that i bought for for turkey hunting .these bins are worth the money.I wasnt expecting much from these but i have been very pleased and they serve my purpose well.Bright and clear image even in the rain with the rain guard{it works} .Now if you want a lowlight bin you might ought to look at 32 mm or bigger. Im not saying my little 8x26  are horrible when things get dim but bigger exit pupil makes a difference in lowlight.


Thanks, very helpful.
Back to Top
Tero View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/04/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 135
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/16/2007 at 19:02
The 9x25 may be one of the few good 9x out there, but I would go with an 8x32. Most of those are very compact. But the eye cups are decent. Always wanted to see that 9x25 though.

My dream: good 9x32.
Back to Top
Bird Watcher View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: August/30/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1523
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/16/2007 at 20:39
Tero,

I did a google search and found that 9x32 is starting to appear.

Leupold has a 9x32 Rangefinder binocular.

Alpen supposedly has a #359 9x32 binocular, but I could not find it.

Remington Optics has an inexpensive 9x32 roof prism bino.

So, maybe you will get your wish any day now.
Back to Top
Gmount View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/19/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 6
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gmount Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/17/2007 at 07:11
I went with the 8x32. I  had gone toe West Marine (westmarinne.com) just to try the  cheap 7x25's they had, to see if I liked them. Granted they were inexpensive, but it was not a good fit for my eyes-hard to locate the sweet spot.

So the Legends are on the way.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.164 seconds.