hello all, need your help. the other day my trusted bushnell legends bino's got broke. so, taking advantage of the chance, going to upgrade. I am looking at either Carson, vortex, or Alpen glass. Want to get a pair with lifetime guarantee and worth the money. leaning toward the vortex, but what does the alpen and carson user's think of theres?
Toddster, I have a very high opinion of the Vortex Viper binos. I currently own Kahles and have no complaint with them either. I was squirreling away $$ for Leicas but a Pig hunt in Texas came up and I opted for less expensive binos for the time being. I haven't used the Carsons and have only tried the Alpens in a store. The Vortex line is getting rave reviews and for the money, I can see why. Try as many as you can get your hands on, good luck, Grant
I don't know what size you are looking for but this might help.
Vortex (http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-crossfire-10x42-binoculars-cfr-4210.html) There are many others to check out here.
I love my 8x36 Nikons. Cost me $99.00. My hunting buddy has a pair of Swarvoski(?) 8x36 or 40 and they are VERY clear but cost $600. His are usable about 10 min longer than mine in the evening.
After doing much research on quality binos, I went with Vortex Viper 10X42. They are nearly as good with light gathering as Swarovs and Leicas, but cost around $500 compared to $1600-1900 for the Swarovskis. They are working out great so far and have an unbeatable warranty. Binoculars are definitely an investment. Whatever you get don't settle for cheap quality. This usually means you need to be willing to pay for it. I don't think you would regret getting quality glass, but you may if you need to keep buying the cheap stuff. Happy shopping, Matt
Vortex is good stuff and so are others..........I opted for a pair of Leopold Katmai 6x32 and could not be happier with how they perform for a spot and stalk hunter.
My personal preferance is the Nikon 10X42 Monarch. I bought my first pair in 2004 and when one of the eyecups messed up on them, i sent them back to Nikon to get repaired (no charge), they sent me a brand new pair of binocs........woohoo!!
Vortex.
Don't forget about Leupold. The Windriver line is good price for good glass and excellent customer service. Have heard good things about your other choices but nothing first hand.
If I could only have one pair of binos, it would be the Swarovski SLC 8x30. I know of one authorized USA dealer who has them for 972. I bought a pair five years ago and the price has increased by 200 bucks. I traded them towards the EL 10x42 and ended up purchasing another pair recently. The ELs are nice, but I like the 8x30s best for the woods.
Todd,
I gave my opinion on this subject in another thread which you can find here: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=064601#000011
In the under $500 category, I do not think you can find a better all around pair of binoculars that the Burris Signature Select 8x30. A Google search will show you that they sell for $239.00 with free shipping at Discovery Optics or about $20 more at some of the other dealers like Optics Planet. I have multiple pairs of Swarovskis and Leicas, and those high dollar binoculars are definitely better but not by as much as you would think. I liked the Burris binos so much after looking through them that I bought them for my wife. They are smaller than all but the smallest of the 8x30 models and are all you need for 90% of your hunting. These are mid-sized optics, not compact models, which are really handy but need lots of light to work well, or big objective lens models, which work very well in dim light but are a pain in the neck (literally) to haul around because of size and weight. The 8x30 size is the perfect compromise for general hunting purposes.
My next binocular purchase (if I ever make another) will be the Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD. They are spectacular, but they cost $1800 at the cheapest internet source I could find. If you want to pay seven and a half times as much for the Leicas as compared to the Burris in order to get about a 10% optical improvement, if that, with some increase in the quality of operation and the construction of the body, then I am all for it. That's the type of thing I tend to do when my wallet lets me. Right now I will keep using the great binos I already have since I can't bring myself to part with the $1800 just to get the latest and greatest. One of the pairs of binos I have is the Swarovski SLC 8x30 that Foxbo talks about in the post above me. They are as good as he says, but the Leicas are definitely better (especially the Ultravid HD) -- at a much higher cost. I can assure you that you will be extremely happy with the Burris Signature Select 8x30. I know several people who have bought them and are thrilled with them.
Allan
Todd I just got a pair of Nikon Monarch 8x42 for the money you can't beat them. they are going to replace my 18 year old Ziess. I got them on line Binoculars.com they have every kind of Bino known to man, and the shipping was free. (Nothing is free.) $290.00 to my door.
I will chime in for the Nikon Monarhs as well, I got mine in camo and 8 by 36 and really liike them, for around $250 they cannot be beat. Shawn
I have the Alpen's and they are very clear, hard to beat especially when you look at cost! Have the dealer lay out several of the high dollar pairs and a pair of Alpen's and then have him hand you a pair to try without looking at the label so you aren't swayed by label or looks, see for yourself which views best.
Nothing at all wrong with the Nikon Monarchs for the price point, but try to look through a pair of the Burris Signature Selects before you buy and compare them yourself. The problem with the Burris is that most people have never tried them, so they naturally recommend what they have tried, and glass like the Nikon and other larger brands is much more common. There are a number of brands I haven't tried too, and I can't recommend what I haven't tried either. But I have tried the brands people are recommending here. There are lots of good to great binos out there. The questions are which model is the right size and power and construction for your primary purposes, and which one gives you the best quality at your price point. If price is no object, get the Leica Ultravid HD binos at $1800 without question. If you don't want to (or can't) spend that much, everything else is a compromise. For general hunting, especially with a bow where smaller size and lighter weight without sacrificing performance is important, I have not found a better bargain than the Burris binos at $240. The Vortex and Alpen binos that were mentioned in the original post are a little better, but the prices are 2 to 3 times (or more) as much. I always think it is a good idea to buy as much quality as you can afford, so if you don't mind the cost of the Vortex, buy them. I don't think you would notice any increased value in the Alpens, and I think they are significantly more money. I still recommend 8x30 or 8x32 for general bow hunting.
Allan
I was waiting for Allan to come in...I ordered mine after help from Allan. They should be here Monday...I can post some results next week.
CJ
Well, I after checking alot of them out, found brunton eternal to be great. But for the price found the Nikon 10x42, 25 year warranty is what I purchased, love them.
Well, Longbow Rookie got his first deer, so he is no longer really a rookie! What a great thing! :bigsmyl:
Allan
I use a set of Leupold 10X42's. They work real well and for the money you can't go wrong. Here in Oregon it rains a lot so, having a pair that's water/fog/and shock proof is a must. They stand up to all the above so far.