Full-Sized Binoculars to Compliment Compacts

Answer

Hi, yes I agree with you and I think a good quality 42mm binocular like a Maven C1 Binoculars or Athlon Midas / Athlon Cronus Binoculars would compliment your Pentax Papillo nicely.

I also agree that as you already have the 8.5x Papillio, it makes sense that you want to go for a higher 10x or 14x magnification.

However, I think one of the main advantages a larger binocular has over a compact is its low-light performance – but by increasing the magnification, you negate some of this – the 12x42 especially has a pretty small exit pupil and thus its low-light performance is reduced.

42mm vs 50mm Binoculars

So personally as you already have a compact that is easy to carry about, why not go for a 10x50mm or 12x50mm binocular? They are not that much bigger than a 42mm bino (see the image above comparing The GPO Passion HD 10x42 and 10x50 binoculars) and then you can have the best of both worlds:

A compact and a full-sized more powerful binocular WITH a good low-light performance as well!

Example:

Exit Pupil Size – 10x50 vs 10x42 Configurations
Much of the difference or potential difference in image brightness can be explained by the exit pupil size (the size of the shafts of light exiting the ocular lenses which are shown in the image below and can be seen when you step back and look at the eyepieces of any binocular:

10x42 binoculars produce exit pupils 4.2mm in diameter (42÷10), whilst a 10x50 configuration produces larger 5mm (50÷10) exit pupils, which in low light can make an observable difference.

Recommendations

So based on the information above, below are some recommendations for 10x and 12x 50mm binoculars that I have fully tested:

• Maven 12x50 B6 Binoculars
• GPO 10x50 Passion HD Binoculars
• Athlon 12x50 Midas Binoculars
• Kite Lynx HD+ 10x50 Binoculars

Also, Check out the new KITE APC 50 Image Stabilized Binoculars (image below).

I hope this helps.

Feedback

@Bestbinocularsreviews Man! That was so nice of you to go into that much effort! THANK YOU !!! 👍

Well, I followed your advice and ended up ordering the 12x50 Athlon Midas. I just hope I won’t be too shaky to enjoy them, but this is probably also something I can try to improve myself. It was such a pleasure going through all the information. You made me too much of an honour using my post there. I’m Belgian btw and I’m not even sure this was proper English 😁 Anyways hope it will help other people who might be asking themselves the same question.

You really rock mate! That was unexpected and funny 🙏 I can’t do much to show how appreciative I am, but you definitely have my subscription. If I can help in any other way, just tell me. Never expected such a five-star treatment on YouTube! I wish you all the best! God bless you!