Binoculars -Leupold Katmai Compact Binoculars
Did you know that Leupold is ranked as America’s Optics Authority? They have a solid 100 year American history with optics for multiple purposes ranging from butterfly watching or bow hunting or bird watching and tactical marine or military applications. Their engineering and optical precision make them worth the extra cost. Plus they come with an incredible incredible lifetime warranty from a company that is not going away.
Because my hands are small, I like compact binoculars. I also like binoculars to be lightweight and durable like the Olympic Compact Dual Hinge Series binoculars from Leupold. They fold especially small for packing. They are only 4.3 inches long and weigh less than 15 ounces.
By comparison, the Katmai Compact binoculars offer full-size features and weigh only 18.9 ounces plus they are only 4.1 inches long. Both have fully coated lenses to provide the best clarity, light transmission and good contrast. Both have rugged and waterproof casings. I learned that all Leupold binoculars are fog-proof and waterproof and all of them have had their internal parts purged with nitrogen to ensure the best visibility and highest quality optical preparation.
The Olympic Compact Dual Hinge Series comes in black or with mossy oak tree camo colored casing. The Katmai is available in black. The Olympic series comes as either 8X25 or 10X25. Both of these sizes fit the compact criteria I apply. I prefer 8X25 because it is easier for me to scan the field at that magnification than it is at 10×25. That is a personal preference.
It is hard to beat the ease of using the abundant information that Leupold has for its products. They are generous with information and specs. I found it very easy to compare binoculars online before purchasing.
Both of these Leupold binoculars are superb. It is primarily a matter of personal preference and perhaps size that will make the difference for your purchasing decision. By size I refer to the distance between your pupils relative to the interpupillary distance of the binoculars. Both are about 60-70 mm. The difference between the exit pupils is less than 1 mm. I really like the Katmai because it uses full-size components in a sturdy compact optical instrument.
Another characteristic that distinguishes these two Leupold binocular series is how close they focus. At 4 feet away the Katmai binoculars are still giving you good focus. But the Olympic close range focus stops at about 8 feet. Most often I would not find that a problem. Rarely do I need to see a bird closer than 4 feet anyhow! Butterflies are another story.
Nonetheless the Katmai has full size eye cups which are good for people who wear glasses, which I do. That could be the primary point that makes me swing toward these gems for my new birdwatching binoculars. The Katmai Compact Binoculars are available in 6×32, 8×32 or 10×32 magnification. My preference is 8×32. They are comfortable in my hands and sturdy enough to be my primary binoculars. It is not possible to go wrong with Leupold binoculars.
