Binocular Shopping

[GruntHunter]

I'm in the market for a new pair of binoculars and have been looking at the Steiner Predators 10x42. I like the wrap around eye cups. The salesman at Bass Pro suggested the Kahles as a better buy. I now see they have a pair in camo and with wrap around eye cups as well. I have found both of these on E-Bay for in the $620 to $760 range.

Anyone have any experience or oppinions on either of these ?

 

[MNHNTR]

I've been looking at the Zeiss Classics 10 x 42 being sold by Cabelas for 699. Does anyone have any expeience with this glass?

 

[GruntHunter]

Well, I found the Steiner Predator 10x42 go for $605 on ebay, plus $10 shipping (sold by CameraLand in NY) so I called Cameraland and asked them if they would sell another pair for the same price, they said yes so I ordered them ($615 to my front door).

The KAHLES are nice and they are having a 'special' where they are including a pair of Motorola 6200 radios and their bino suspendors. I already have the radios and bino-buddies so I couldn't see spending the $759 for something I didn't need. When I looked through both of them at our local Bass Pro Shop I just couldn't see any difference, at least not ~ $150 worth.

 

[bzzboyz]

Grunthunter: Earlier this year I bought a pair of 8x30 binoculars at the Texas Trophy Hunters show in Houston. They are made by a company called Optovision USA. I was told by the man who sold them to me that Zeiss makes the lenses they use. I was a little sceptical at first but I figured for $180.00 I could'nt go wrong. I used them for the first time hunting in New Mexico this year and in all my hunts for the rest of this year. My hunting buddy brought his $1100.00 Swarovski's with him. To a man, the rancher, the guide, and my friend, no one could not tell a difference. In fact mine even drew in more light in the early morning and late evening. Also mine were clearer and easier to focus than the Swarovski's, and are smaller and lighter. I have never been happier with a hunting purchase than I am with these glasses. I do not work for them and am not paid by them but if you are interested you can contact the man I bought mine from and maybe he can tell you where to get them close to you. He is located in Richardson, Texas, just outside of Dallas. E-amil me and I will get you his information if you are interested. Or just reply on this thread and I will post it here. He only sells at hunting shows and the like. I know that one other JHO member has bought a pair because he asked me for the information and then e-mailed me back to let me know he got them. I'm not sure what he thought of them though because he never told me. :big grin santa hat: :big grin santa hat: :big grin santa hat:

 

[One Track]

MNHNTR:

I have that Zeiss bino. I bought it when it was $799, about four years ago. They have been at $699 for about three years. I just saw that Cabelas included them in the Xmas Blowout Salefor $650. Go figure. I'll try to attach the link. I think it is an awesome bino. I use it all the time. It's rubber coated (armorized) and perfect for me. I'm tough on equipment. They are sharp, easy to adjust, and gather plenty of light. When still-hunting, I do a lot of glassing into the brush as close as 20 yards. The focus wheel is easy to adjust, from 20 yds. to a mile, while you are glassing. I would buy the same if I lost mine tomorrow.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...type=pod&cmCat=

 

[sakofan]

Nikon Venturers LX, best money I ever spent. I do wish I would have went with the 8 power over the 10 though..sakofan..

 

[East Sloper]

Opinion based on buying and selling several pairs of binos until happy...don't know much about the Steiners, but the Kahles don't compare to Swarovski or Leica binos. The Zeiss's fall behind the the Swarovski and Leica binos. Unfortunately $ play a role in all decisions, but you get hwat you pay for when it comes to optics... Try them all in low light and look at warranties after otpical quality (eventhough the Leica warranty is unbeatable). Good Luck!

 

[shufigo]

MNHNTR - I can't speak to the other premium brands, just the Zeiss. I got a pair back in the early 80s, and can't imagine not having them. I have compared them to everything from the dime store specials up through the Nikons and other second tier binocs. Very simply, with optics, you get what you pay for. The increase in visual quality is linear to the price. If you really want to be able to get the best use in the early dawn and late evening, you've got to have high quality (price) glass. They all look the same in the noon light -- but I don't see many deer walking around my stand at high noon!! All of the above goes - doubled - for scopes. Nothing more useless than a $400 rifle that'll group to less than one inch -- and a $50 Wal Mart scope. Buy the $400 scope and put it on a junker $50 rifle and you'll kill more deer.

 

[MapMan]

I just ordered the Nikon Monarch 8x42 ATB for glassing purposes, and a pair of the Steiner 8x22 Predator compacts to carry while Upland Game hunting. They are a combo X-mas/birthday (Jan 12) present from the wife. I read a lot of good things about the Nikons both on JHP and from other resources. I believe "Bishop" for one uses them...........

I liked how small the Steiner compacts were, read up on them, and just trust that I will be happy with them. Both should be here in a day or two. Binoculars.com did some price matching and sold me the Nikon's for 249.00 and the Steiner's for 125.00. No tax and 6.00 shipping. Hopefully I bought quality that I can pass along to my 8 year old son.....

Wish I had them for Chukar hunting tomorrow.

Later

 

[Otto]

I have a pair of Swarovskis, but I almost bought a pair of Minox 10 x 42s. They are made by Leica and they are a bargain at around 500$.

 

[Bishop]

Yea, I love the Nikon Monarch's 10X42. Grtwhthnter, C.sBishop, and TF Coyote have them also. Great glass for $300.00

 

[wmidbrook]

I've got the 10x40 Nikon Monarch's too. The gripe I have with them is that the adjustable diopter ALWAYS comes out of focus and I PERPETUALLY have to mess with it to get it right.

Otherwise, the image is clear and coatings are decent. But, compared to swaros and leicas I've looked thru while in the field with others who had those, there was a noticable difference in quality--depth of field was more pronounced higher end bino's. Plus, they are a bit brighter.

On a seperate note, when I compared my Monarchs with a pair of Steiners & WindRivers (their top of the line 10x40) in the same price class--the WindRivers were much clearer around the edges than the other two brands. The Steiners would pick up ambient light and glare was a problem around sunrise, sunset if you were looking anywhere close to the direction of the sun. Nikon & Winds didn't have this issue.

So, if my budget restricted me to $300, I'd go with WindRivers.

Also, there is no comparison in the higher end spotting scopes. I've been using a Burris Landmark spotting scope which is probably one of the best in its price-class ($200) but it really is poor quality compared to spotting scopes in the $800+ range.