I have narrowed it down to three: Vortex Fury 8x28, Steiner 8x22 Predator Pro, or Pentax DCF LV 9x28. Any oppinions/advice welcome and appriciated.
Thanks
It's not on your list, but I'd be remiss in not pointing out the Eagle Optics 6x30. I have no vested interest. They are truly terrific and in the same price range.
I don't know the price range of your choices above, but for about $275.00 Bushnell makes a pair called the Elite Custom Compacts 7x26. They are very, very nice and clear. Great quality. Cabelas will special order them for you at no additional charge. Check them out.
I like my burris 8x32 around $125.00 can get combo bino and scope for around $220.00
I've had a pair of Bushnell Custom Compacts for more than 20 years. A great glass for the money. Mine are the 7x26, but they also used to make a 6x26, perhaps they still do. If you're going to use them primarily in pennsylvania hardwoods, I'd recommend a 6 or 7 power, regardless of the brand. I also have a pair of 8 power binos, but like the lower power better for the woods. I find the 8s better for western hunting. Good luck.
Following some research, I got a pair of Leupold 6x30 Yosimetes. They are as good optically as all the reviews say, work great w/eyeglasses and are more than a bargain at $80 to $100 purchased on line.
I have a set of Leupold compacts 8X22 that I really like. 95.00 at Bass Pro a year ago. My buddy has a pair of Stieners Don't know what magnification but they are really clear and have better low light view than Mine. But they are heavier.
I have Vortex binos.
It's hard to imagine a better pair of binoculars or ANY guarantee in the ballpark for that kind of price.
I have a pair of Nikon 10x36 that were reasonably priced, and I wouldn't hunt without them!
Leupold 8 X 32 wind river model. They are totall awesome and have great low light prformance. About $125 for the pair.
I like a 8*42. The bigger the lens the more light it gathers. Very personal choice. Good Luck.
for me 10x50 big but hey they work
Hey thanks guys, there are so many choices. Now yinz got me looking at the Leuopold Yosemite 6x30. It's thick where I hunt.
In that price range you can't go any of those you suggested. I have a set of 10x25 Steiner's that are nice but don't come close to my 10x25 Leica's when comparing clarity. Of the 3 mentioned I would go with the Vortex because of the larger objective lenses and warranty.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ratatat:
Hey thanks guys, there are so many choices. Now yinz got me looking at the Leuopold Yosemite 6x30. It's thick where I hunt.
I have a pair of those and love'em for bowhunting. For glassing big open areas, they aren't the ticket. In the woods they are great for the $.
You would do well to look at the Yosemite 6x30. I have used mine for over a year now, and they are great in the dark thick of things. And you can't beat the price. If I need more magnification, I bring a spotting scope.
RonP
I agree with Swampwalker. The Eagle Optics 6x30 is a fantastic woods bino and is backed by an excellent warranty. Check out the Eagle Optics site before you make your mind up. They carry most of the major brands.
I purchased a pair of the Eagle Optics Platinum Rangers a year or so back (6x32's).Great lil binoculars.A couple of weeks ago I lost one of the lens covers.Came home,looked at their website and called to order another pair of the lens covers.They were gonna cost $7 on sale for the pair but the lady I talked to said they would get a cover out to me at no charge.Arrived home today and inside a brown shipping envelope were 2 lens covers free of charge in my mail box.I will definitely check back with them next time I need something in the binocular category.
Leopold Katmai 6x30 has served me real well.
Bjorn,
It's 6x32 on the Katmai's. ;)
I have the exact same as you, the 6x32 Katmai's and would suggest to anyone for typical eastern whitetail hunting.
Bushnell Elite Custom Compacts: I had a pair in the 70's 6x25, used them for years until I dropped them on concrete. Got a pair of Steiner 6x30, loved them for years. My son got a set of the elites. I used them once, sold my $400.00 steniers and bought the elites. My son found them online for 211.00.
I've heard good things about the Eagle Optics binos. I have a set of Nikon Monarchs (8x42) and a set of compact Minolta (8x22). The compacts are easy to carry, but once the light starts to dim, they're pretty useless.
I looked through a pair of compact leica's and man alive they are awesome! It'll be my next and last set of binos. I'm currently running a pair of swaro 8x30 slc. They are nice but a bit bulky for a compact consideration.
I have some steiner predators, definatly not the pair I thought they were when I ordered, oops. They are a nice glass however the eye pieces broke almost immediatly. They were replaced with a refurbished pair almost immediatly. Have never used them since after purchasing my swaro's.
I really like my Leopold Yosemite 6x30's as well Can't beat the price.
I'll second Eagle Optics
Trust me, if you want low level visibility (like when the bucks are normally moving) you want something where the first number divided into the second number is = or >4. On all those you listed they will do great in full light but low light, when I need mine most, they are likely to be worse then your naked eye. I'm getting a second set of bino's this year for that very reason. 6x30 is a 5 (30/6=5) and that's much better in terms of delivering light to your eyes. There are other factors that affect this as well but as a general rule it works.
Well thanks for all the advice/input guys!! I tried a pair of the 8x22 steiner predators and realized that I needed a bino with better low light capability. I ordered a pair of vortex raptor 6.5x32, so we'll see. Thanks again.
I went through this few years back. I bought a pair of Nikon, then 3 months later, seen Vortex and was blown away, so good and smaller had to buy it, for 100?? and lifetime warranty well worth it to me. love them