16x60 or 20x60 Pentax

_droptine_ · Dec 30, 2004

Which would you recomend? The 16x60 with a bigger exit pupil or the 20x60 with more magnification? These would be used primarily for long distance above treeline glassing.

fatrooster · Dec 30, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Dec-30-04 AT 09:37AM (MST)[p]Heck, if your gonna go with a big set why not go real big. (20 x 60) I would suggest getting a tripod for them also. fatrooster.

Someburro · Dec 31, 2004

20x60's are not going to give you good low light performance. I think Steiner sells some 20x80's if you really want the 20X's

grizzlyplumber · Jul 21, 2005

I have a pair of 25X80 Steiner that I would be willing to sell. Definitely need a tripod with these bad boys!

_droptine_ · Jul 23, 2005

Thanks for the offer, but I got a good deal on the Pentax 16x60's this spring. I used them some in Yellowstone this past week. It was pretty cool to be able to see the details on the wildlife at the distances I was looking from. They will definitely be getting a lot of use.

338WIN · Feb 10, 2006

droptine, I had the 20's and I sold them. You'll end up seeing more out of the 16's in the long run.

easymoney · Feb 10, 2006

I too have the 20 x 80 Steiners and they are great glass for the money. They do need a tripod though and are not good for backpack hunting, too heavy...

nvmuley · Mar 6, 2006

I owned a pair of the 20's. They were good for long distance on a tripod. Each side tube is very large and the support/alignment system in the middle was not strong enough in my opinion. They came out of alignment once on me, resulting in seeing double. I played and played with them until they were back in alignment but they didn't stay that way long. After calling Pentax about them, they would look at them and send me an estimate for repairs. I figured the cost would be almost as much as the binos original purchase price with no guarntee they would stay fixed. I chucked them and for that reason won't do business with pentax anymore. Leupold gave me new binos when some Wind River lens got scratched, can't beat that!!!

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