I am going to Alaska next year and want to get some really good glass. Any difference in price between dealers or is all about the same?
Optics Planet is hard to beat.
You really wanna save some $$ I found a mint pair of 8x32el for a bargain at www.texasbinoman.com (http://www.texasbinoman.com) he has some great glass at half the price...trust me best of luck check him out
Cameraland or BandH photo. Sometimes demos available.
Cameraland.
Swarovski pricing will be mostly the same for all authorized dealers.
They are surely worth the difference in price if your eyes are able to see the difference.
I have a pair of SLC 8x30s and EL 10x42s. I loved them until I became infected with bell's palsy. Now, my eye sight isn't good enough to enjoy the top quality glass.
The used market may be your best option. Good luck!
I got a set of the EL's from the big auction site a few years ago and saved a lot from retail prices. Those Swarovski's are a quality glass, but not sure they are that much better than some of the lower priced glass.
I suggest you check them out at your local stores and compare...and go from there.
SWFA and Bear Basin Outfitters are two other sorces
Strongly recommend looking at Minox. I've owned the big three euro binos, including the mentioned, and I found a set of Minox for under $200 and never went back to the others. Minox has the Scott's glass that's so desired of the others and I have beat the crap out of them w/ zero issues.
If you have to have the Ski's, some dealers will have reconditioned binos too.
You should talk to the Clums at Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear.
look at high end vortex, very good glass. life time warrantee too
I'm with Hummer...I've owned Leica, Swarovski, Minox, and Zeiss. I now own Vortex and haven't looked back.
You really will want good glass in Alaska. I've spent many 10 hour days behind the glass and if it's not good you are not using it and you are not finding game.
For binos go with 10x and use a monopod or a walking stick to stabilize them.
Mike
Good info, thanks guys!
Doug at Cameraland and Alex at Eurooptics are good people. I've had a fair amount of dealings with both and have never been disappointed. Though I prefer to buy used glass whenever possible, there are some great deals to be had.
Sportoptics. Call and talk to the owner. He will work with you. Bill
I've owned a number of top bios including swaros. Yes, swaros are great and tough as nails, but I've given them all up for swift Audubon 8.5 x 44s, and vortex vipers. The audubons, especially, are simply the most under appreciated glasses out there. Can be had new for about $350 on ****. You won't find better performance for anything less than about $1400 new.