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Will an 8x30 gather enough light?

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Binoculars
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Topic: Will an 8x30 gather enough light?
Posted By: dw0229
Subject: Will an 8x30 gather enough light?
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 00:06
Looking for some new binos to use for deer hunting.Distance will be 25-200yds.and some low light scenarios.I like the idea of the big objective but sure dont like the weight.The new swarovski companion 8x30 at 17 oz.or the meopta meostar 8x32 at 20 oz. sure would be handy,but will they do ok in low light?



Replies:
Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 00:23
I think you will be fine with either of them.  Order in the one you want look at them in low light and if you dont like them send them back in unaltered condition.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 07:21
Good advise Wes, there are also a few 7x36 binos available from several manufacturers that may be a good compromise.

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 08:15
That 8X32 Meopta is a fantastic binocular.

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-Matt


Posted By: anweis
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 09:01
Answer: YES, if it is a high quality instrument. Among the two you mention, i would buy the Meopta, it is optically better than the Swarovski CL Companion.
I hunt everything and everywhere with a premium 8x32. It works very well in low light.


Posted By: FrankD
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 09:41
Ditto on the comments above. When the time comes that you can actually distinguish the difference between an 8x42 and an 8x32 in low light situations it is too dark for you to shoot anyway.....
 
...especially at the quality level you are referring to here.


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Frank


Posted By: dw0229
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 11:23
Just curious;why the Meopta over the Swarovski?If you look at Allbinos.com,who are very meticulous and seemingly thorough;they do some harping about the coatings,transmission chart and color rendition.However if you look at customer ratings,say from cabelas,you find outstanding results.


Posted By: Klamath
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 13:59
In my experience, a good binocular with 4mm exit pupil will function just fine during the legal shooting hours, typically from a half hour before nad after sunset, and usually somewhat longer than that.  However, if extreme usefulness in dark conditions is what you are after, then 5-7mm exit pupils may be better.  It sort of depends on how much your eye dialate to begin with.  Personally I can't see the need for the extra weight of a 50-56mm glass to justify the packing.
 
The Meopta 8x32 is an excellent binocular.  So is, from what I've seen, the Swarovski CL.  My dilemma in commenting much further is that I have not, and have no idea of how I might get the two side by side. I have not had the chance to compare the CL to anything else in the 30-36 mm class, except my ZEN ED 2 7x36.  My impression of the Swarovski CL 8x30 is that it is the most ergonomically comfortable compact glass I have ever had in hand.  In that regard it clocks the Meopta...in my opinion.  Be aware I really do like the Meopta Smile.  I have some doubts in my own mind that there is much readily discernible optical differences between the Meopta and CL, and ergonomics are a really personal thing.  The optics of either will do to hunt with anyplace from what I can see.


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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron



Posted By: dw0229
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 16:25

Klamath;you speak of your Zen Ray 7x36's.I get a feel you know optics very well.So how does the Zen fit in this picture?As we know from an economic standpoint we have something to think about,and I would be much in favor of achieving my goals for half the money.Thanks.



Posted By: Klamath
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 18:20
Well, now I'm going to have to take my ZEN in hand back to the local dealer who has the CL Smile.  The ZEN ED 2 7x36 vs any other 30-36mm class glass is kind of apples vs oranges.  For one thing, the ZEN 7x36 is not a compact glass, it's about the same size as many 42 mm binoculars, actually about in the middle of the 42-43 mm class in physical size, so if small size is a criteria, the ZEN ED may or may not do it.  Even though I'll probably not ever get rid of the 7x36 ED 2, I still would like a smaller, more compact glass for some uses.
 
Comparing the view of the ED 2 to the CL, I can offer tha opinion that the ZEN ED fov is really noticeably wider.  Another thing is that the lower 7x magnification offers a better depth of focus than the 8x magnification of the CL.  The centerfield sharpness is about the same, and the edges of the CL are sharper.  For a really compact 30 something class binoicular, I really like the CL.  It is small and well balanced, the ergonomics for a smaller binocular quest will clearly favor the CL over the ED 2.  Price is another matter.  The ZEN ED series has always represented terrific bang for the buck in price vs quality.  I know everyone wonders what Swarovski had to "sacrifice" to get the CL down under $1k.  I think the short answer is "not much" .  I presume that the CL is basically the old SLC in a new housing with a simpler eyepiece and a less expensive, simpler right eye diopter adjustment.  I think that is why they are less expensive.  They already had all of the engineering design from the old 8x30 SLC.  They just had to tweak it a little to get it into the new housing.


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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron



Posted By: NDhunter
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 21:36
Originally posted by dw0229 dw0229 wrote:

Looking for some new binos to use for deer hunting.Distance will be 25-200yds.and some low light scenarios.I like the idea of the big objective but sure dont like the weight.The new swarovski companion 8x30 at 17 oz.or the meopta meostar 8x32 at 20 oz. sure would be handy,but will they do ok in low light?
 
I've had the 8x30 CL for a few months now, and I really do like it.  I find it very bright for its size,
and has the great Swaro. fit and finish.  I like the light weight, and the handling is very good.
I have experience with several high quality 8x30-32's, and these are well done.
I do recommend.


Posted By: dw0229
Date Posted: October/19/2011 at 23:22

Sounds like the Swarovski 8x30 is going to be a tough act to follow.I really like the idea of a pocket rocket as opposed to the heavier ones.



Posted By: bird_hunter66
Date Posted: October/20/2011 at 07:08
DW, I have the 7x42 SLC Swarovski and I really like them a lot and the image through them is outstanding.  I think if I had to do it over again I might go with the 8x30 myself due to their compact size and weight.  I'd probably take those with me out hiking, traveling or hunting a lot more then I do the 7x42.  Swarovski is a great product and they have great customer service they will stand behind what they sell.  I like my Swarovski's  so much I recently bought a Z3 rifle scope for my Remington 700.  Good luck!

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D. Holmes


Posted By: dw0229
Date Posted: October/21/2011 at 21:44
Well I got to test the Swarovski 8x30 today.I compared it several different binos;Meopta Meostar,Zeiss victory fl,even threw in a Hawke,and to my eyes (I'm 47) the Swarovski 8x30 was the all around winner.That is until the salesman said "I know these are a little larger than you want,but take a look".He then handed me a pair of Swarovski 8x42 Slc HD.The next word out of my mouth was WOW!!I had never seen such a thing.Everything looked so alive and vivid.Fine details jumped out at me,I guess I experieced the full HD effect. Now a decision needs to be made.Do I add a little weight and get the best binos I have ever looked through?Or have a set of super nice light weight bino that paks so easy.The salesman also let me look through the EL 8.5x42 and Zeiss victory fl 8x42,but to my eyes the Slc HD's were a better bino.Oh well, without so many choices,life would be kinda bland.



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