Binoculars -Leupold Katmai Compact Binoculars

Leupold is the Optics Authority of America. With 100 years of history in America they have been creating and refining optics for many purposes. Leupold 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.

I like compact binoculars because I have small hands and often carry my binoculars far into the field or woods on hiking or backpacking trips. That makes the lighter weight and smaller sizes more appealing to me. The Olympic Compact Dual Hinge Series is less than 15 ounces and only 4.3 inches long. It can fold very small for easy packing.

For practical reasons, I need to compare these with Leupold’s Katmai Compact binoculars. These have full-size features yet only weigh 18.9 ounces and are only 4.1 inches long. Like the Olympic series they have fully coated lenses. This is essential for good light transmission and contrast as well as clarity. Both types are waterproof and have rugged casing. I recently learned that all Leupold binoculars are fog-proof and waterproof. The engineers have ensured that all of them are purged with nitrogen to provide the highest quality in 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.

The specs and application information available at the Leupold site are exceptionally detailed and helpful. It makes comparing binoculars incredibly easy and practical.

I especially like the Katmai because it uses full-size components and has a wider range of recommended uses. Nonetheless these are still compact binoculars. The distance between the pupils of my eyes are well suited to the interpupillary distance of both of these binoculars, from 60-70 mm. They both offer good eye relief and the exit pupil of the Katmai is larger by less than 1 mm.

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.

I like the full-size eye cups that the Katmai binoculars have. That is especially helpful if you wear glasses. I do. The Katmai Compact Binoculars are available in 6×32, 8×32 or 10×32 magnification. My choice is 8×32. The magnification is familiar to me and the binoculars are comfortable and sturdy in my hands. I expect them to become my first choice for all of my upcoming trips. Leupold makes such precision binoculars that I cannot wait for my new ones to finally arrive. They are worth the wait and cost.