Zeiss 8X30 armor coated.  Fantastic quality.

I think Dave Bowers was the said it first, Vortex!!  man you just cannot believe what you get for teh money!!  I ahve the vortex vipers ... picked them up for under 350 to my door.  Super bright, ultra clear ... the best feacher is the depth of field.  these are as good as binos over 2 times the price.  Do your self a favor and try them, it is just incredible!  On par with Ziess, way better than any Nikon, and very reasonably priced.

Bob.

Been using 8x32 Leicas for the past 10 years or so.  Can't be beat, though they are on the expensive side.  Also have an older pair or 7x26 Bushnell Custom Compacts.  Probably 20-25 years old.  Very good glass for the money then, and still serve as a good back up.  Might be able to find them very reasonably priced on the used market.

You don't say where/how you're going to use them, but if you're going to hunt primarily in the Eastern woods where the cover is thick, I'd recommend 6x or 7x glasses.  Plenty of power and easy to hold steady.  If you would use them more for western hunting, long distance glassing, 8x or 10x would be a better choice.

I use 8 X 20 Zeiss compacts for whitetail hunting in the east.

Mr. Ranger58,
Our Leica Trinovid 10x40 binoculars have served us well for almost 30 years.
Best Wishes

6 x 32 Vortex Vipers. Great bino for woods hunting. Very clear and easy to use with glasses.  Bob

We need two categories here: glass >$750 and glass <$750...
I can only afford the second category at this point:
I use 10x42 nikon monarchs, but I have heard great things about Vortex from someone who knows about such things, I just haven't tried them yet.

Leica 8x32 have done me right for the last 11 years.

I have a pair of 8 x 42 Leupold Pinnacles with me all the time.

i have had good luck with a pair of Alpen Apex 10X50.

Zeiss 10X40

I love my 10 year old 8x32 Leicas, but I just got a new pair of the Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD binoculars and there is nothing as good. They have better optics than my old Leicas and are about two-thirds the size and weight. The onuly drawback is the $2000 price tag. The
Swarovskis are great binoculars too, and I have them in three sizes. The top model in the Vortex is definitely a good binocular for the price. The Burris Signature Select is also a good buy for a relatively low price. I have many great optics, and a very good pair of 8x32 binoculars is all a bowhunter or most other hunters everneed for 95% of their hunting.

That depends on the terrain.

Wooded or broken stuff Leica 8 x 32's.

Out west or to do serious glassing it's Leica 10 x 42's

I had an eye injury years ago and can really tell the difference between the brands, even the top of the line brands.

I use a pair of 8X32 Minox  binoculars I've had for the past 10 years and they work like champs.  They are roof prism binos and are fully coated.  I had a friend that once told me that he didn't carry binoculars because if you had to use them then you couldn't shoot game with your bow because they were too far anyway.  I think he had a good point and it sure beats carrying them around your neck, but I sure like to watch game with my binos and I don't mind the added weight.

Anyway, Minox gets my vote for an affordable good quality glass binocular.

Good Luck

I use a pair of 8X32 Minox  binoculars I've had for the past 10 years and they work like champs.  They are roof prism binos and are fully coated.  I had a friend that once told me that he didn't carry binoculars because if you had to use them then you couldn't shoot game with your bow because they were too far anyway.  I think he had a good point and it sure beats carrying them around your neck, but I sure like to watch game with my binos and I don't mind the added weight.

Anyway, Minox gets my vote for an affordable good quality glass binocular.

Good Luck

8x32 Vortex, Vipers.

8X30 Leupold Yosemites, inexpensive but more than enough for all my hunting in MD,PA,and OH. Good for looking "through" brush than spotting at a distance.

For all-around hunting Leica 8x32's are my constant companion. None I have seen are brighter or sharper for the size & power.

While scouting from the vehicle or for using w/ a tripod as a spotter, I like the Leica 12x50's. Much more comfortable and easier on the eyes than looking thru a single-lens spotting scope IMO.

>>--Ron--<>

Zeiss 8x30.  These are perfect for me, an eastern Whitetail hunter.  They're not heavy or bulky and the clarity is amazing.

Mitch

I hunt with a pair of 8x20 Swarovski's. They fit right in my shirt pocket. My 8x30 Swarovski's usually stay at camp because they are bigger. They cost a lot but I just put them on layaway and pay until they are mine. I have never regretted buying them. Gary