Originally Posted By blively
Or…perhaps I’m the only backpacker out there who takes my birding seriously enough to spend this kind of money (approx. $300) and carry the extra weight? smile




Nope, my lovely wife carries her Leica 8x32's when we hike in migration.

The Swift Eaglets are very nice binoculars, especially for that price. Others you might check out are the Eagle Optics Ranger house brand, which at $310 in the 8x32 size are a great value -- fully multicoated, phase coated BaK-4 prisms, etc. -- all features you would have paid over $1000 for ten years ago.

Ranger 8x32

The Nikon Monarch 8x36 have similar features and are even less expensive. They get good reviews.

Monarch 8x36

Both of these are around 20 ounces, which isn't too bad. The Rangers have a much wider field of view at 393 feet -- noticeably better in my opinion than the Nikons, but then they are an extra $80.

Happy birding!
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--Ken B