Power Generation

Leupold is the Optics Authority of America. With 100 years of history in America they have been creating and refining optics for many purposes. These engineers have made optics for hunting and birdwatching and super high tech military needs. Optical precision and care in construction cannot be beat. Leupold is a company that is designed for success and will outlast recessions like the one we have right now.

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.

If you choose the Olympic Compact Dual Hinge Series binoculars you have a choice in the color of the casing too. It is either black or mossy oak tree camo, nice feature. Katmai is only black. The magnification for the Olympic series is either 8×25 or 10×25. Both are acceptable for me but I much prefer the field of vision with the 8×25.

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.

Leupold’s Katmai binoculars are awesome for me. They fit perfectly for my small hands. They have full-size components and a much wider range of possible applications. Both the Olympic and the Katmai binoculars have an interpupillary distance that is almost identical, ranging from about 60-70 mm. Both binoculars give good eye relief for long periods of use. The Katmai has an exit pupil that is less than 1 mm. larger.

With the closer focus range of 4 feet for the Leupold Katmai binoculars, I could easily magnify flowers along the footpaths. I like that. The Olympic series gives close focus range only up to 8 feet which is fine for birding.

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.