Wanting to get some better glass. I have been using Pentax 7x25 compacts for the bow hunting around here. Got the itch for some 8x42 or 10x42. Can't really put the dollars into the higher end stuff, Zeiss, Steiner, etc. But hoping I can get some input from folks on what they have, like....good and bads. Sure appreciate it.
Lanier
Buy the nicest pair of high end binos you can afford. You won't regret it one bit if you hunt much. It's an investment that will last a lifetime.
Lanier,
I bought some Nikon Monarch X 10.5x42 and love them.
They are super clear and have decent low light qualities. I think they cost around $600. My season is done until after Christmas, you are more than welcome to test drive mine for a couple weeks. Let me know,
Ed
I second the suggestion for Nikon Monarch. I have a pair of 10x42 and am very pleased with them. Buy the most you can afford, you'll never be sorry you did.
I've heard people really rave obout Vortex binoculars. Check them out.
Nikon makes some good binos. Hard to beat in their price range.
I have a pair of Vortex Vipers 10x42 and really like them and if you look in the classifieds right now there is a pair for sale.
I'm also a fan of Nikons. Great glass at a reasonable price.
First advice; Pay as much as you can for them. With optics, I have found you get what you pay for. That said, if you can afford a set of quality (Zeiss or Leika) compact binos you will be much happier than a set of lesser quality.
I've got a set of Kahles 8 x 42 which can't be beat but my go to for bow hunting is a set of Leopold 8 x 32's )I believe. They are short but of good quality and waterproof.
Best of luck and good hunt'in.
Nikon is a TG sponsor and make decent binos. I have the monarchs 8x36's and with the chest harness they are priceless. With your thick cover Lanier these would be perfect.
http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/outdoor/monar_x36/index.htm
I bought a pair of Steiners, I found them on sale. If you look around you can get a pair for the kind of money your talking about. But as was said above....get the best pair you can afford!
my son bought a pair of the Bushnell that are around $125, forget the model. They are as good if not better than my nikons.
Froggy - When you decide on a pair of bino's take your time in searching for the best price. There may be a plethera of sources that carry that particular bino.
I spent ~4 hr over 3 days searching the net and found my bino of choice over a hundred dollars cheaper than Bass Pro. The range in prices found was ~$200.... an especially high range when the binos I ended up procuring went for ~$230.
Hey Froggy,
I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Nikon product line or binos in general. There have been a lot of advancements made in the last 5 years in optics (for all manufacturers) so you're buying at a great time to get the most for your money.
If you want shoot me a PM with what you're looking to spend and I'll send you some options to look at.
Thanks,
I bought a pair of Minox last year and am totally impressed with them. I dont know if they are what you are after but I would at least give them a look
C
Keep in mind that exit pupil size is as important as entrance pupil size, ie: if you get a pair of 10x42's they have less light gathering ability than 8x42's just by the exit pupil lens ability to transfer light being better on the 8x's.
I have tested Monarchs side by side in low light, same entrance lens size. The 8x let you see objects in shadow in much darker conditions than the 10x by a fair margin. The difference was seeing an animal and maybe not seeing it.
IMO 8x is a much more forgiving power than 10x as well.
I own Burris Fullfield II 8x42's- fantastic glass and performance and never thought, gee I need to spend more money. But they do not make the model I have anymore since being bought out by Steiner. These are comparable to Monarchs though I think they are better by a smidge. May still find a few on sale if they are not all gone yet.
Joshua
Just a suggestion, go some place that stocks all the brands and try them out. I went to the bass pro HQ in MO and tried them all. And what fit me best was the Zeiss conquest 8x30. I hunt only in the east, dense swamps and mixed hardwoods so these fit me well. I would have spent more if I found a set I liked better but I liked these best. I think they are still around $650.00 Good luck in your search, Glen
The new Redfield binos are pretty nice. I have the 8x32 Rebel and they are great! Not too pricey either.
I have a pair of Meopta MeoStars that i have put side by side with Swarovskis, and while there is a difference, it sure wasn't a $1500 difference.
I have also put them side by side against Steiners, and the Steiners weren't even in the game.
I can glass for 8 hours with my Meoptas and have no eye fatigue. Great light gathering, and clear right to the edges of view.
The Cabela's 'European' are basically a pair of Meostars made for Cabelas: $100 less, but warranty goes through Cabela's rather than Meopta USA.
Great glass is worth every penny you spend.
I would suggest finding a store that stocks a lot of different bino's. When I went to get a new pair, I was convinced that I wanted the Nikons. Turned out that I couldn't see out of them as well as some of the other brands. I ended up buying a pair of Sightrons. For me, they were as clear as the Swarovskis and half the price.
I have treid and owned A LOT. I currently have Swarovskis that I feel were a great investment. However, I was REALLY impressed with Nikon Monarchs and that is what I would own in that price range. BILL
Sightron 8x42 SII Series. They have upgraded to SIII with magnesium body and now more money. I liked them so well I have 2 pairs, 1 for the pack and 1 for the house. You can find the SII for a little over $200. They work great if you wear glasses.
QuoteOriginally posted by non-typical:
Sightron 8x42 SII Series. They have upgraded to SIII with magnesium body and now more money. I liked them so well I have 2 pairs, 1 for the pack and 1 for the house. You can find the SII for a little over $200. They work great if you wear glasses.
8x42 SII is what I have. Although they were more than $200 when I got mine.
Swift 8.5 x 44 Audubon roof prisms. $300-360 new on the net. I've had or tried the high priced models(Zeiss, Swaro, Leitz, Leicas). You won't match the Swifts for less than $1000 IMO, and even many that cost more. They have incredible clarity and long eye relief & are a great value for the dollar paid....and you won't lose a fortune if they are dropped, damaged, or stolen. (yes, I know about the warrantees on some brands of the $1-2000 glasses....I'm not talking them down, just talking these up!)
Many will disagree with this, mostly because they already spent the big bucks and haven't yet tried a pair of Audubons. I've used the best glass on several sheep and goat hunts, and lots of other hunts as well. If I were to draw for sheep again now, I'd be carrying the Swifts and/or my old 10 X 50 Swaros, and a good scope. And....I just bought a pair of Vortex 6 x 32s.....they are NOT as good as the Swifts. No hunter has ever looked through my Audubons and said it wasn't an amazing view for the $!
Check out the Zen Rays. I recently purchased a set of 8x43 ed3. $416.00 well worth it! :thumbsup:
Check out the birdwatching forums. Lots of good info on binoculars over there.
Cornell put out a nice write-up a few years ago .... http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html
I have the Nikon Monarchs which I like and a pair of Eagle Optics 6x that I like a lot too.
You don't have to spend a lot to get a really good set of binoculars (you can spend 5-10x more than my Eagle Optics, but they won't be 5-10x better.)
binoculars.com has a lot of info on binoculars and good prices with free shipping. I am looking at a vortex model there that has great reviews and only $150.
I am finishing my second season with a pair of Vortex Diamondback 8x42, and would highly recommend them in the $200 range.
Plenty of good recommendations here already so I won't get into that. I will just say that for hunting in thick cover and the eastern part of the country, I would stick with 8X or less. Good field of view, less weight, easier to hold steady and focus. I love my 8 X 30 Swarovskis, but I have had them for 20 years. I save my 10 x 42 Kahles for out west.
I second that you are in fairly thick cover and don't have the steadiest hands, go with 8x, not 10x. 8x is all you need. In fact, I have a nice pair of 8.5 and a cheaper, lighter pair of 6x, and mostly end up using the 6x.
Vortex are also good for the $$$ (especially a discontinued model).
I use 6X leupold. I have a pair of 10x, but like the 6x way better. both pair top end leupolds
My favorite bowhunting pair is the Leupold Yosemite 6x30. They are as bright as any other pair I've tried.
Consider those binocs a lifetime investment. I felt the same way you do about spending the money for a really good set of binocs. I found a good deal through camera land (internet) and bought a pair of Leica 8x32's. It's hard to express how much I can pick out with these. I remember picking out a nice buck with them that I just could not see otherwise, and finally followed the deer through the tangle and got it. Would not have even known the buck was there let alone take it without those binocs. Find the best binocs you can by looking through them and do what saving etc you need,buy them and you will never look back or regret the decision.
I have had the same pair of Bushnell perma focus 10x40 for a long time. They are with me from squirrel til late goose and take a beating. If I ever break or lose them I will buy the same thing.
Rob
Hey Brother, I was in the same boat as you awhile back. I wanted a set of new Bino's. I owned a set of Steiner 10x30's, which I had used for 5 or so years. I didn't think my eye would be able to tell the difference between my Stieners and a set of Ziess Conquests.... Sure they are suppose to be better , but could my human eye tell a difference, so much that I would spend 600.00 for them ? I brought my Steiner's and headed to Cabelas , I picked out a spot to look at and used my Steiners first. I then picked up the Zeiss Conquest 8x30's and looked at the same spot...... " Holy, Crap" was the first words I spoke.... The second thing I said was " I'll take them" . It was and is a very noticeable difference. If you can afford to, Buy Higher End Glass. You won't regret it..... Believe me
Tu Compadre, Sutty
1) Go to 24hourcampfire.com's hunting optics section; this gets kicked around endlessly by very knowledgeable people and industry reps.
2) If you want extraordinary glass for pretty reasonable $$ (~$400), go with the Zen-Ray recommendation or Eagle Optics' equivalent. I've seen their 7x42, and it's staggeringly good. Zen-Ray is having a sale on their newest and best that ends Saturday. Everyone raves about these as being nearly imperceptibly inferior to the big 3 for a small fraction of the price, though long-term durability is not yet determined.
3) If you want to go really cheap, go with the Leupold 6x30 Yosemites porros (~$80). Pretty terrific, bright, good image. I bought a pair as truck/kid binocs and love them. Don't go with the 8x30's.
4) Not all the Vortex lines are that great, but the better lines are, and they have a great warranty.
5) Doug at cameralandny.com is highly regarded for ethics, service, and knowledge, has varying deals going all the time, and carries a broad variety. I bought a pair of refurb 8x32 Leicas years ago from him that I carry all the time. They look(ed) and perform like new.
6) All these other suggestions are good. Nikon Monarchs, Minox, Meoptas, etc. are all fine choices. The Swift Audubons porro prisms described above are just fantastic glasses. Porro prisms are kind of their own thing; much better view than price-equivalent roof prisms, a little bulky, not as moisture resistant. In general, it has gotten pretty hard to go badly wrong in the mid-range. Like the Nikon guy said, things have changed a lot--for the better...
7) I have a new pair of excellent Minox 8x33's I'll give a good price on. Received as a gift I didn't need. PM if interested.
I may be in the minority here, but I like big glass. At least 10X50s. Yes they are heavier - but I'll be watch animals long after the 8X30s or smaller are struggling to see in the shadows. Good glass saves a lot of shoe leather! I recommend that you get the very best you can afford. Buy once - cry once.
i've got a pair of 8x42 nikon monarchs that are just incredible in every way. it pays big time to have really good glass - makes a difference in the field under all conditions.
Oh, one other point I've heard but don't really have direct knowledge of: though most all hunters seem to like roof prisms for their durability, compactness, and trendiness, I've heard that the increased binocular effect of porro prisms help with "opening up" and giving a sense of depth to the thick woods you are hunting in. Roof prisms do it, too, and that's why I carry some kind of bino nearly all the time I'm hunting, but the effect is supposed to be magnified noticeably with porros.
Lanier,
I have owned a set of $1400.00 Zeiss 10x42's along with 2 sets of cheaper but still very nice, nice 10x40 & 10x42 Windriver Leupolds both roof prism and poro prism.. I found all 3 sets to be hard to hold steady @ 10 power for any length of time... I found it much better to use them on a camera tri-pod for aditional steadiness... That was not convenient at all. :wavey:
The best advice has already been given. Even if you have to go to several places, look through all the brands and models you are interested in. Everyone's face contour is different as well as your eyes. Find the ones that fit you best and look the clearest to you. I tried a lot of different ones and settled on the Nikon Monarch 8 X 42 because to me they fit and were just as clear and sharp as some that were twice the price. I hAve had them for 5 years and never been disappointed.
TTT
I bought these and couldn't be happier,
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Optics/Binoculars%7C/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104217480/Cabelas-Compact-Alaskan-Guide174-Binoculars/720440.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbr owse%2Fhunting-optics-binoculars%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1100054%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104217480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104752080%26WTz_st%3DGui dedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Optics/Binoculars%7C/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104217480/Cabelas-Compact-Alaskan-Guide174-Binoculars/720440.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-optics-binoculars%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1100054%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104217480%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104791680%253Bcat104752080%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU)
check out the leupold mojaves. I looked through some monarchs and wasn't impressed. The glass was a lot brighter in leupolds casades than nikon monarchs but i didn't like the cascades eye pieces. So I went the next model up. They are fantastic, reasonably priced, light and all the glass i'll ever need in a 10x. 1000$ more isn't going to buy you much more optical quality. check out their reviews, ratings that high are very rare. You'll do yourself a service to go handle lots of binos before buying, High end binos are a great education tool in choosing sub 500$ glass!
You do really get what you pay for with optics, I would personally buy as much binocular as you can afford. The Vortex line is great and I have used several of them with great success. Pick a binocular with a good warranty also. As we all know stuff happens and having a warranty to back up your investment is a great idea. I would personally look at the Vortex Talon HD or the Viper HD. I have used the Viper the last year or so and love this bino. Just my 2 cents
Vortex and Zen Ray offer great performance for the price. I'll second the cameralandny comment. Great prices and service.
Zeiss Rules.
I agree, buy the best you can swing, you will never be disappointed with buying good glass. (Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, and Nikon EDG are obviously the best). but there are a lot of midrange good glass too.
I have Vortex Viper HDs 10x42, they are great and Vortex has the best warrenty on the market.
I will have Swaros eventually, but for now i wouldnt trade these Vortex for anything under Swaros, they are that good.
I love my Eagle Optics 10X42's. About $325.
Can't thank you all enough for the advice and opinions. I went by a local hunting shop today, was able to look through a good many. They didn't have the Nikon 8x42 I wanted to see, but did have a Burris Fullfield 10x42 camo pair, also the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 #828. Liked them both, but the Swift was as bright and crispy clear as the several I looked at that were priced well over a grand. Gonna go by Bass Pro and look at theirs. The Swifts really felt good in the hand, also had individual eye adjustments that I liked.
Froggy
I am partial to Bushnell for a couple reasons. 1 the price is right. 2 you cant mess with the warranty ("lifetime no questions asked warranty") I have looked through some nice glass that were significantly more costly and for all that extra money, I didnt see a big enough difference that would make me spend all that extra money! You could buy another bow with the price difference!