Overview
The best compact binoculars for travel, highlighting their small size and light weight as ideal for general use such as spotting birds, viewing wildlife, and landmarks while hiking. While they may not be as powerful as larger binoculars or telescopes, they offer better views of the night sky than the naked eye and are often inexpensive. The article suggests that smaller objective lenses reduce light-gathering and magnifying power, but this is outweighed by their portability and versatility.
Reviews
1. ACULON T02 8×21 White
The Nikon Aculon T02 8×21 binoculars are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around. They have a single central hinge, with an adjustment range of 56 to 72 mm between the eyes, and are available in several colors. They have impressive optics and are reasonably priced compared to other Nikon binoculars.
2. Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars
The Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars are a great option for those seeking a high-performing and affordable compact pair. They are designed for outdoor activities, have a solid build quality, and come with an open bridge design and tripod mount. They also have a wide field of view, turntable eyecups, and are nitrogen-filled and waterproof. Although they are on the heavier side, they are still compact and provide excellent optics.
3. Celestron – UpClose G2 10×25 Binocular
The Celestron brand is well-known for its high-quality telescopes and binoculars. The UpClose G2 binoculars are a good choice for their price and desirable qualities. The 10×25 model is recommended over the 8×21 due to its better twilight factor, which gives better low-light results.
The binoculars have a rubber coating, are water-resistant, have fold-up rubber eyecups, and are pocketable. They have partially multi-coated lenses and BK-7 glass roof prisms, but are still reasonably priced and come with a limited lifetime guarantee.
4. Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular
The Bushnell H2O binoculars are reasonably priced and have impressive specifications, such as BAK-4 roof prisms and multi-coating, although not fully multi-coated. The binoculars have a large center-focus knob that is easy to adjust, even when wearing gloves.
They have a respectable field of view of 6.9 degrees, but the eye relief is not very generous, making them less suitable for spectacle wearers. They have a rubberized coating for protection and improved grip, and are lightweight and easy to hold. Although they are not small enough to fit into a pocket, they are still easy to carry in a backpack.
5. APEXEL 10X25 Small Compact Lightweight Binoculars
The Apexel small binoculars are affordable and lightweight due to their ABS plastic body, but still have fully multi-coated lenses and quality BAK-4 roof Porro prisms. They have a wide field of view, making them comfortable for spectacle wearers, and are rugged and waterproof. They are easy to operate and suitable for children as well. Although they may not be the best in terms of quality, they provide good value for money and come with a 12-month guarantee.
Editor's Note
In conclusion, there are several great options for compact binoculars on the market. The Celestron UpClose G2 binoculars offer a reasonable price with desirable qualities, such as rubber coating and fold-up eyecups for glasses wearers. The Opticron Aspheric 3 binoculars provide excellent ergonomics and sharp images with less distortion, making them comfortable for all users, especially those who wear glasses.
The Bushnell H2O binoculars have impressive specifications for a reasonable price, including a tactile center-focus knob and a respectable field of view, while the Apexel small binoculars are affordable, lightweight, and easy to use, making them ideal for children and budget-conscious buyers.
