Which Binocular would you rather go with:  Steiner Military 8x30 or Leupold Acadia 8x42 or 10x42?  Or what would you go with for the $200-$300 price point?  Thanks

Leupold 8x42

leupold 8x42 for me as well

I was torn between the Leupold and Vortex. I went with the Vortex Fury 8x42, not just because of the unconditional, no questions asked, fully transferable  lifetime warranty, but, for the price, they are one fine piece of glass!

Find a place where you can look thru them side by side. I did but my choice was based on the added factor of glasses as well as clarity.

Like the best bow question it's subjective....

The 8 x 42 binocular will give you the added benefit of a larger exit pupil, which translates into more light transmission to your eyes.   This is especially important at dawn and dusk, the 'witching hours' of hunting.

QuoteOriginally posted by FerretWYO:
Leupold 8x42

What model?

Thanks guys keep the coming.

Tried them all at Cabelas and loved the Busnell Legend Ultra HD 8x42's.  Super in low light conditions, very wide field of view, includes case, back harness strap, and regular strap with it.  Also get on Bushnells web site and print the rebate form for a free jacket.  Found and purchased mine at B&H Photo online $206 shipped.  Saved me $100 or so.  The Leupold Gold Rings seemed very good also in the low light areas of the store but I couldn't justify 2-3 times the price when I couldnt tell any noticable differences.

Has anyone tried the vortex diamondback?

I have a pair of vortex diamonback 8.5x50's and they are sharp and clear.

I hear zen-rays are better than vortex now but I've never looked thru em to see. It might be worth looking into.

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65

I own a  Swarovski 10x42 and love it but I needed a second for backup and for my teen son and daughter and my wife to use. Well I wasn't gonna pay $1300 for something to teach my kids to treat responsibly and I wasn't gonna teach them much about glassing with a $50 cheapo from wally world so I did a TON of research and found the Zen Ray 10x42 ED2 for $430.

Don't let the price fool you this bino is OUTSTANDING and has a lifetime warranty. It is not the equal to the Swaro but it is very close under all conditions and actually better under a couple.

Only bad point IMO is it is made in China but so are most Leupold products and Vortex and many others including U.S. names so don't let that bug ya too bad.

Now I have red a bazillion posts where a person writes their cheapo matches their buddies Euro and always doubted them but I can tell you there is not much difference in these two Binos and you cannot go wrong with the Zen Ray. The ED2 is their top line bino and they sell at 2 or 3 other price points down from the ED2.

I am not trying to be a salesman here or promoter I just feel like these are the best deal out there in optics at this time and want to pass along the news. If you doubt me Google them against any other Bino (example; ZenRay 10x42ED2 vs. Lupold 10x42 Gold Ring) and you will get all the info you want.

Many vendors and I believe the company itself offer a 30 day trial with money back take them up on it you will not be disappointed. PM me if you have questions or want to know where I got mine.

Bill

I have two pairs of Steiner Military Marine. 6x30 and 7x50. The 7x50's are a midge heavy, but for a lot of glassing would be hard to beat. The 6x30's are feather light and what I use daily on the hunt. Crystal clear and single eye adjustable only, set them up in the AM and they are good for the day. A note that some may not know - reverse the binoc and they are a good magnifying glass, really good for studying aerial photos in the field.

Thanks guys for all the info.  Not making the decision any easier:)

If you only have a choice between those two I would second what TSchirm said for the same reasons.

It would be different if Leupolds were garbage, but they aren't.

Might look at Nikon Monarch, good binos.

QuoteOriginally posted by anw0625:
Thanks guys for all the info.  Not making the decision any easier:)

I'll send ya my Vortex Diamondbacks to try out if ya send 'em back in a couple of weeks or so.

I went through the same decision this winter.

Looked at all the choices in the $300 range, was about to pull the trigger on the Leupold Mojaves, but finally decided to save up a little more and go up to the Leupold Goldring 8x42 for which Cabela's is having a huge sale.  Out the door for $579 after $100 rebate and these baby's are like Swaro's!  

The higher end bino's really make looking through the woods a treat.  It was a big difference turkey hunting this week actually wanting to look through my clear, bright bino's rather than feeling like I "had to" with my old bino's that seemed to be more work than viewing pleasure.

In a nutshell, wait a bit more and buy the last bino's you'll ever need.  You will be glad you did.

Take these to the woods and the deer just walk up to you, lay down and die!  H

Swarovski 42MM EL Birding/Hunting Swarovision Binoculars