Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Binoculars....Eagle 6x32, Swift 7x36, Vortex 6.5x32, Leupold Katmai 6x32 owners chime in

Thoughts? Like to hear unbiased info, so if anyone chimes in from an optic dealer, please be 'brand blind' if possible and state the facts.

Heard good things on all the above. Also the Bushnell 7x26-but it's not waterproof. Also that the Katmai's now have Bak-4 vs. 7 glass in the older models?

Likes/dislikes....preferences? Thanks.

First, I have no experience at all with the Eagle Optics 6x32 and too little to count with the Katmai.

I own two of the three and have owned the other. I have the Swift Eaglet 7x36. It is my favorite compact binocular. It is one I can and have and will us again in the field as my only binocular including way out there high deserrt mule deer hunting. It is brighter than other 8x compacts I have tried, it has crisp. clear sharp optics. I've really never felt I needed a better binocular. Some will dismiss its fov of 374' as too narrow, but it is fine by me. I have owned (sold to my brother) the Fury 6.5. It's a bit bigger than the Swift and has a 445' fov. The Swift is a bit brighter and a bit sharper, but the Fury will work to go hunting. The 7x26 Custom is a nice bright glass and I like mine a lot It has two draw backs. One is that it is really too big for a pocket size binocular. Two it is a it too small for long glassing use. The optics are good enough to glass with, and I have used it for such.

Great info, thanks very much Steve. I take it the Swift Bino's are likely the same company that sells Swift Riflescopes? Had one of those long ago and it looks like a re-packaged Bushnell-worked well on a 22 mag.

I wonder if Doug and others might chime in that have handled alot of Bino's....all are welcome.

Same outfit.
http://www.swift-sportoptics.com/

Thanks Steve.

I have the 6x32mm Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class that I bought in closeout. They were made in Japan whereas the current EO Ranger SRTs are made in China. However, in discussions with EO staff they claim the Chinese plant they use was the only one that could meet their requirements/specifications for the entire Ranger SRT line and they (the EO people) exercise rigorous quality control and assurance.

I have compared the Katmai 6x32mm and Ranger SRT 6x32mm side by side and liked the Eagle Optics better. Although the field of view of the Katmais is impressive, the lack of clarity at the edges detracts from it. It also appears to me that Leopold is using filters to try to make the image appear enhanced ala Steiner.

The Vortex Fury 6.5x32mm was not available when I bought, but I wish they were when I purchased both my EO Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm and 6x32mm binoculars. Even though I got the 8x42s for $299 and the 6x32s for $160, I think that the Furys in both sizes would be worth the extra money. The 8x42mm Fury is an exceptional value at $350 and I definitely give the nod to the 6.5x32 Fury over both the Ranger SRT and Katmai. The view is better and they feel just right in my hands. They have better edge to edge clarity, better color representation and resolve in low light better.

Then there is the Swift Eaglet 7x36mm. What it lacks in eye relief and field of view, it makes up for in its image resolution, edge to edge clarity, color representation and low light resolution. Certainly a fine binoculars that when I consider my impressions of them compared to the others they leave the clear distinction of being better. The only thing that would give the nod to the Vortex over the Swifts is the superior warranty Vortex has which guarantees whoever owns them will always have them or comparable replacements no matter what happens to them.

Jackfish, your time/effort is greatly appreciated in sharing your experience and information. Thanks a bunch.

65BR,

Don't forget the new Vortex Viper 6x32 about to come out. I don't think anyone here has one yet, but I bet Doug will have them in stock if he doesn't already.

I only have experience with the 6.5 Fury out of those mentioned, I was impressed with them for the price. They were better in low light than a pair of 8x42 DCF WP's and 8x32 DCF WP's I compared them too and better than the 8x32 DCF's in resolution. They are slightly heavy for a 32mm bin but the ergonmics were excellent so the weight didn't bother me a bit.

I'm only guessing, but I can only see the 6x32 Vipers as being even better than the Fury. If the Vipers are noticably better than the Fury, then they will be one heck of a good piece of glass.

Bill

I just received the 6x32 Viper from Vortex. It looks very nice, but I have not played much with it yet.

ILya

Well Koshkin, play with em'!!! :-)

Then come back and tell us about em'!

Bill

I've been using the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 with complete satisfaction for woods hunting since Christmas.

Ditto the Yosemite 6x30. I have several high end binoculars such as Leitz, and I must admit I'm impressed with my $100 Yosemites: more so than most binocs I've tried in the $200-$500 range.

I have the 6x Yosemite as well, but they are a bit behind the Fury and a larger amount behind the Swift mentioned in the OP. But they are very useful binoculars, as I suspect the 6.5x32 Vortex Raptor porro will be as well.

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what do ya think?

I like the Leupold Yosemite's as well, so has everyone I've loaned them too. The only drawback is that they're frequently backordered whenever I want to buy a pair to give as a gift.

I have not exactly spent much time with them. So far they look good. Probably the best 6x binocular on the market that I am aware of.

ILya

I'm very impressed with the new Leupold Katmai's(6.5x32).

thanks all

so if sticking with porro's : Yosemite 6x30 or Vortex Raptor 6.5x32?

kenjs1,

I have no idea. Raptors are at least a month away from dealers inventory. When I asked the guy I talked to at Vortex why would I buy either Raptor when I already had both Yosemite's his no hesitation reply was "because they will be brighter, sharper and they will have less edge distortion". But what could you expect, I guess. I plan to try the Raptor and the new 36mm Diamondback, but I'm still waiting.