I was looking to actually buy some decent binoculars instead of the Wally World $20 specials. Started looking at different ones & could see that the issue is more difficult than I thought. I'm looking for some guidance from you pros. I wear glasses & that adds a layer of complexity. I've seen some that are described as glases-adaptable or whatever. I've always carried the very small ones but they just don't seem to cut it. I've looked at the link on this site but when I read something about prism-type I knew I was out of my league. I've looked at so many kinds that I'm brain-fried. Can't afford the $1,500 kind (can anyone? are they THAT much better? they must dress your kill & tote it to the truck!!); more like a $300 - $350 max. Any suggestions? Just what are the key features to be looking for?
Thanks for any guidance,
Eddie Paulsgrove
Eagle optics, vortex, leupold katmai series, all have really good binoculars in that price range that would work with eyeglasses.
Binocular search #1 click here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=070169;p=4#000051)
Click here for search #2 (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=063210;p=2#000021)
click here for search #3 (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=083640;p=1)
click here for search #4 (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=068373#000010)
Here are some previous threads on binoculars that will give you some more information. :)
I have a pair of Nikon Travelers 8x25 with fold down eyecups. Yes they are cheap but I looked thru 27 pairs a Gander Mountain untill I found THE ONES and since then many people have commented on how clear they are. Lesson learned!
I've herd that the 6x32 Vortex Vipers are decent. Made in Japan not China. There about $500 though. I'd like someone's opinion that's tried them. Also, I do think that high end binos are that much better. Just don't loose them.
Check out a website called CDNN. I bought a pair of Leupold Goldenring 8x32 from them about 6 months ago and they are great. Good eye relief for folks who wear glasses. They are in your price range too!! This is a great deal. They are relatively heavy compared to similar sized binos, but that is because they are solid glass. Very clear and bright all the way out to the edges. 432' FOV helps too. To top it all off they are Made in the U.S.A. Hope this helps.
Thanks guys. Ras, guess I should do a search more often!! Sorry for the repeat.
Hey Eddie, things change from previous threads so no problem. Also, sometimes those that posted before don't see this thread so they don't post.
Also, before you pay full price google several sites and see if they sale demos. Cameraland in New York does and there are others. Minox is another binocular you don't see much about. The glass and binoculars are made in Germany, are top notch, and are reasonable in price. Side by side comparisons are the best way to go if possible.
If you hunt out west and spend basically your whole trip looking thru your binoculars, YES, the $1500 dollar models ARE that much better. If you are using them for 10 seconds a day at 30 or 50 yards, it won't matter that much. I'm happy I have good binoculars from doing a lot of hunting out west; I'm not going to grab some cheap ones to head out to the tree stand when I have the good ones.
Not one time in the dozens of times I have handed my Leicas or Swarovskis to someone using a lower quality pair, did they not just stand there with their mouth wide open or say "wow" or something to that effect. There is a difference--period.
You are not going to see any difference looking at them in a store. Take them outside when it is almost dark and see what you think.
Camera land sells Promasters with ED lenses for less than $400. These are the best binoculars for less than $1500 you can get. Although my Zen-Rays are probably as good, and about the same price. I have the Cabela's Euro binoculars too, which are very good, and my Dad has a pair of Leicas. I have looked through them all and I will put the Promasters up against any of them. Minox also makes very good binos with ED lenses for a reasonable price. Occassionallly Camera land has them on sale too. Minox is owned by Leica by the way. Some mid range optics like Nikon Monarchs and Leopold's appear to be really good when looking through them at close range objects, but you loose alot of definition at longer distances when compared to a pair with ED lenses. I think I have nine pair of binoculars the cheapest retail for about $300. I am a boat captain and spend hours every day looking through optics so I am very picky. Buy Promasters or Zen-Rays, you won't be sorry.
I'm really please with my Nikon Monarchs in 8X42
Was in the same boat as you - looked at and tried a bunch before getting the 10x32 Vortex Fury- they were the ones that worked the best with my glasses.
I have the Vortex 6x32 Vipers. They are very good for bowhunting in woods or timber and work great with my glasses. I love them. Bob
what steve o said.
SL
I own a pair of Leupold Yosemite 6x30s and a pair of Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42s. Both are excellent optically and can be found on line for around $100.00 and $250.00 respectively. There are other good choices but for anything from Eastern Whitetails to Black timber Elk (Leupolds) to open country Mule Deer, Antelope or Sheep (Nikons) I feel they are more than sufficient.
I wear glasses also...Stieners 8X30 predators, excellent and in your price range if you shop around... :thumbsup:
Unless your willin' to spend $1500-up...you can't beat the Nikon's... warrenty is the best in the business. I've took a good look at the $1,000 and bino....The nikon to me are just as good..can't afford $1,000 bino..besides I'm half blind anyway! YES I wear glasses, it's learning how to adjust the bino and getting use to looking thur them with glasses..Good luck!
Check Cabela's they are blowing out (or at least were) Zeiss conquest. I went through the bino's search about a year ago, finally decided to save up and just buy a pair of Zeiss. There is a tremendous difference for the discerning eye... BUT that said, the Nikon Monarchs are pretty good for under $400, but I recommend Leupold Goldring. Best buy for the cabbage out there. Be sure to check the TG Classifieds... I picked up my Zeiss Binos for about 3/4 the cost new and they were basically new!
Also check this link out tons of info:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html
Best of luck!
If you are hard on binos, or hike long distances, look at the Leupold Mojaves in 8 x 42. They are a roof prism design and are fairly light in weight. Very good optics for the money. I don't like the idea of spending more on binos than on a bow. The last 20 to 30 yards is more critical to me than 600 yards away at dark. Plus strong warranty and customer service.
I agree that the more expensive binoculars are often better quality, but a decent pair is fine by me. I can see just fine, and with decent front objectives I can darn near see in the dark.
And most important to me. . I can afford them and I will actually use them if I am not worried about damaging a $1,000 or more tool. I use Nikons and see well enough. I tend to not sit for days looking thru the binoculars. Long minutes, even an hour at a time, but not yet have I spent my trip looking thru binoculars. Just haven't had a hunt that needed that.
The majority of us that hunt deer or elk will likely never need a set of Swarovski or Leica quality glass. But they are pretty nice.
ChuckC
from the cornell/birds site posted above: "Close behind the tiny Leupolds was the Nikon Monarch 8x42, clearly the top-rated of any mid-priced, full-power birding binoculars. These lightweight, waterproof, and very comfortable binoculars focus down to 6 feet (they were given the name “Monarch†to attract butterfly watchers) and offer an image and feel that surpasses many models costing two or three times more. Only in a direct comparison with the top-priced binoculars could our reviewers discern the narrower, slightly duller image, which was not quite sharp at the edges. But with a street price well under $300, the Monarchs are a steal." I went with these as they are clearly excellent for hunting. If money was no object or birding was my passion then I would get the high end pair but given my economic situation, I prefer to spend the difference in savings on a hunt.
I have some Nikons....and I really like them....I use them here where I live...and I also have some 10by Vortex that I use out west. I actually put more money into the ones I use more where I live as I don't glass that much locally...or for that long of a time.
I totally agree that if you are going to glass out west a lot, you need to spend the money on a better model. One week hunt a year....probably not.
Nikon is now a Sponsor of Trad Gang...check out their line in the price range you are interested. Nikon does make great products at all levels.
I have the Zeiss Conqest 8x32 that I really like. I tried a bunch of different glass before buying these because I wear glasses also. They have a really nice adjustable eye piece set up. Although they may be slightly more money than you wanted to spend, it would be worth waiting and saving a little more to get really good set. By the way, I have in the past purchased less expensive glasses and never been happy with them. With bino's you really do "get what you pay for" Good luck, Glen
Go to http://www.samplelist.com/ .they are a great source of high
quality optics. the sample list is store demos etc. you can call with any questions. they will be glad to help. :)
Check out nikons monarch x, Amazing glass for the money.
I have to chime in on the Nikons as well. My opinion is they are hard to beat for the money. You can get Nikon Monarchs in your price range. You will do much better on price if you find some on that online auction site. But, if you want to look through a bunch of pairs, go to cabelas or the like. Sometimes just a certain feel, eye relief, etc can make the difference for you personally. I have had a pair of Pentax dcf hrII for about 6 years now and have beat the tar out of them and they are still optically perfect. I got them for $186 from an online optics/camera shop. When I did my research, I was sold on Nikon or Pentax. Bought pentax because I got the best deal on them.
What SteveO said!!! I'd add Ziess to the mix. You can get the small Ziess pretty cheap for Ziess - their 10X20ish. I have trouble holding 10 without a brace.
Bowmania
Binoculars are to be looked at as a long term purchase. Paying a $1000 for a good pair may seem outrageous, (especially to the wife) but when you are still using that same pair 25 years from now, that's $40 a year. When you buy cheap how many pair will you buy over that same 25 years? I bought a pair of 8x30 swavorskis in 1990 for $350. Sent them back in for a broken strap clip and they sent them back with a whole new body. I also have a pair of 10x42 Kahles that I use out west mostly. Good optics are worth every dime you can afford.
I would rather leave my bow at home than hunt without the binos.
I have Leica 10x42s that are fantastic. The high end Leica and Swaros are great. But I don't know if I would buy them again - I bought my Dad Nikon Monarch's for $250 last Xmas. They are light, feel great, and most importantly have super optics. I don't think the Leica's are $1k or more better. $250 is a steal in comparison.
Another thing you might want to think about as you make your decision on a binocular, (not to make it more confusing!) There are several good brands out there that would be hard to go wrong with. In my mind, it is important to look at your needs as a hunter. I base this on 27 years as a first a game warden, now a biologist, and all these years a hunter. Get the best glass you can afford. As you know, most hunting is best at dawn and dusk or low light periods. It is wise to get a binocular with an exit pupil of about 5 mm. The exit pupil is determined by dividing the objective lens size by the binocular power. For example, a 10 x 50 binocular has an exit pupil of 5. An 8 x 32 has an exit pupil of 4. The pupil of a human eye can expand to approximately 5 mm, so a binocular with that exit pupil will deliver the most useable light to the eye in low light conditions. Also, getting fully multi coated lenses aids in lens transmission of light. Many of the members have pointed out specific brands that will meet these suggestions. Nikon is a good choice for mid price binocs, as are many of the other suggestions.
The best that I have used is Pentax DCF's. You can do an internet search and read how good they are. Unfortunately they aren't being made any longer, but if you do read all the reviews and decide you want to give them a try, shoot me a PM and I know of a guy that is selling a set of them on another archery site. Without actually comparing them to others in low light conditions it is hard to see what is better. My buddy has a pair of them as well and after looking through his in the evening at deer, I had to have a set. I have had mine about 10 years now and they are still around my neck ever time I am in the woods. Last year I bought a pair of Swaro's off the classifieds here that were used, thinking I would sell my Pentax. Although they were awesome glass, I ended up selling the Swaro's for what I bought them for and kept the Pentax. Just couldn't give them up.
In the store it is harder to tell the difference in bino's. Best advice I can give is read all the reviews you can and try out as many of your buddy's bino's that you can in low light conditions.
I have a swarovski 10x42 SLC and would not trade it for any other that I have looked through except maybe the new swarovision model.
That being said I was in the market a while back for a $600 or less pair for my wife and kids to use to glass blacktails and mulies and my search turned up ZenRay 10x43ED2.
I have to say optically (which is probably most important but not the only thing that matters) these are equal to and in some ways superior to my swaro. I know most who own the big three won't believe this and others will ask for my head but for $430 you will not believe how nice these are.
I read a million posts on the internet did searches comparing this Bino vs. that Bino and this name kept coming up along with the Hawke and Promaster all three are made in the same factory in China (bad I know) but much of the lesser priced U.S. name brand and Most of the Japanese name brand Binos are made in China or have most of the components made in China and are assembled in Japan or India.
My second choice in the my price range was the Leupold Gold Ring HD from Cabelas they were running a great deal on them and they are equally clear and bright but a little heavy (no big deal to me but these were for my wife and kids). A friend has them so I have looked through them and compared them and they are nice.
I read a lot of posts saying this Bino equals the Euros and did not believe it but I am now convinced they are equal in optical quality for a LOT LESS!!
I don't know how well they will work for eyeglass wearers but there is at least one guy I know of who is giving a deal where you can use them for 30 days without paying and ship them back if you don't like them you pay shipping! PM me for info on this deal.
Its a good time to be looking at low cost clear glass because of the influence of these Chinese made models that are high quality glass for low cost.
Bill
Thank to all you guys for the expert advice. I'm picking up a pair of 10X42 Leupolds from a Tradgang member (the Surtees mojo is worth twice the cost of the glass!) and after reading everything out there will follow up w/some 6X32s as well. Thanks again,
Eddie Paulsgrove
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8 or 10 x 42's. Great bang for the buck. Includes harness, case, and mail in rebate for free jacket. Very wide field of view. Great in low light. Coated Lens with Raingard on them like their higher end scopes. Try Bushnells website for more info.
You will love those Leupold's. I have a pair of 10x42 Leupold Acadia, great price and great with eyeglasses also!