Binocular

[Richard]

I have been shopping for binoculars and have looked at Stiener, Swavorski. I dont  really want to spend that much.
Maybe later.  I have looked at Bushnell and Nikon.  Also, maybe I might get a spotting scope. To much to choose from.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[gizz]

I have a pair of Nikon Monarch ATB in 10X40. They're very comfortable to hold and look thru. Center focus, Waterproof, Rubber armor coated. I've always used the cheapo $40 - $50 dollars binos so these at around $279 are the best I've ever had and they do the job very well for me. There are many brands and configs out there so you'd be best served by going to various places and trying them all out.

 

[Tinhorn]

I have never looked but I wonder about  government surplus binocs and what they would cost?

they had 7X50's when I was in the Army,  they were really nice, at least I thougt so.  The Army said that was the best power for hand-held (not so much shake) and the 50mm lens gathered a lot of light.

Tinhorn

 

[Bishop]

I second Grizz's recomendation of the Nikon Mornarch 10X40s.  Very bright and clear for a reasonable price.  Got mine on Auction Arms for $210.00

 

[gizz]

Tinhorn is very right on the power aspect of things. The more the power the more the shake. Nikon also makes the same binos in 8 X 40.

$210 Bishop? Geez, I thought I got a good deal at $250. I'll have to check out this auction arms place....Thanks

(Edited by gizz at 7:43 pm on Nov. 19, 2001)

 

[Arrowhead]

I bought a pair of Leupold Gold Rings 10x28.

This was one of the best investments I ever made.

Light enough to carry around my neck all day. Very clear optics.

Good Luck

 

[prohunter]

a few years back i bought a pair of burris binocs. they are 8x42. they are very bright lightwieght binocs. i glass sometimes for hours and they are a real treat to the eyes. they were just under $500.00 when i got them. the quality is right up there with any high dollar binocs.

 

[Richard]

Thanks for the input.  I bought some inexpensive binoculars. for under $50. Bushnell Explorers 10X25. Light and compact. Work ok.  I used them today and  were clear  and the eyes did not bother me. I have tried the Nikon Eagle eye zoom binoculars $135, but I am going to ask Santa next year for some 20X40, still up in the air about a spotting scope.  If the Bushnells break or go bad some how I  will have learned my lesson to buy a great pair of binos like Stiener or Swavorski.

 

[Kent]

 Richard don't spend the money on glass that you will want to replace soon.  Cabelas has the Zeiss 10x40 for under $700.00.  Their great binos and will last you a life time.  It is better to spend a little more now and getting what you want.  If Cabelas has them for this price some searching on the web will get them for you for even less.

 

[jackrabbit]

Richard, I agree with Kent.  I have continued to buy binocs on sale for $15 - $89 as eventual throwaways that I could lend to friends on hunting trips.  Major problem is that they easily go out of alignment (colimation I believe is the term), and they are not at all waterproof.  Clear optics these days are cheap, just like computer chips, but the worth of better binoculars/scopes, is in the lens coatings and durability -- and especially the warranty if they fail to perform many years after you have purchased them. I just threw away a $125 pair of terrific Burris binocs that I used over the last eight years, they were 10x25's that were exceptionally clear and bright, but not waterproof, and had lots of glare at any angle toward the morning sun.  I kept them in ziploc bags in foul weather, but they finally went out of alignment and I had to close one eye to see out of them.  I'm using $20 10x25's right now until I get a new binoc in at least the $500 class -- it's about time for me.

 

[songdog]

There's very little hunting equipment that I value more than my Russell boots and Swarovski binocs.  If $500 is the top end limit, look for a good second hand pair of Zeiss or Swarovski.  As long as you check the glass and there are no scratches, there's very little that can or will ever go wrong with them.  You should be able to get those same $700-$900 binocs for about $400 on something like eBay.

Zeiss also makes their new 8x30 "made in the USA" binocs for about $399 at most places.  That's a pretty tough deal to beat for something new in the box.

 

[Paul from Australia]

Dear Richard & others looking for the best value/Quality Pair of binoculars available.

Please have a look at Deutche Optik's US web site offering the excellent Hensodlt/Ziess Ex-German Army 8x30 Porro Binoculars for about $250.

I chose to have the internal range finding reticle removed by Deutche Optik. These old fashioned Binoculars are built like a tank, protected by a thick green rubber armour. They look a bit ugly & "smell like a dogs rubber chew toy".

They are also the FIRST pair of binoculars I now reach for when hiking or hunting. If I was still in the Australian Army Reserve, they would be a must carry item, (superior to the Steiners & other issue models).

They were recommended to me by "Drifter" another optics nut on the web about 2 years ago.

I have never regretted buying them or any other quality optics such as Nikon, Canon, Swarovski, Docter Optik, Leica, Kowa, Leupold, Hensodlt/Ziess.

Am I rich? Definitly not, Brand biased not really, Against Cheap optics? Absolutely.

With the exception of a pair of Canon 8X32  Aspherical WP roof prisms (from Cabelas catalog) & my Lieca LRF 800 rangefinder (Local camera store in Melbourne), I have always bought second hand binoculars, most in mint condition for a fraction of the purchase price from the newspaper, web etc.

I started with cheap brands & compacts which I figured would do the job (ie better than nothing) untill I had a look through a Farmer's (also a mad keen deer hunter) Ziess 8x56 Binos, Wow Unbelievably crystal clear clarity, a huge depth of field that was better than Autofocus, excellent Field of View and a Brightness that illuminated dark twighlight shadows like a spotlight (almost like cheating!) The only catch was their size & weight, yet they are worth every ounce of their weight for their specialist purpose.

I was hooked and am now addicted to quality optics.

I sold, traded or gave away all my cheap binoculars & scopes. I only wish I saved up and bought decent gear the first time.

As good as the Canon 8X32  Aspherical Water Proof roof prisms were, I wanted somthing a little better so I sold them cheaply to a friend who loves them.

I purchased the Lieca LRF 800 rangefinder last month after making the mistake of trialing the new model at a camera store in the city.

(PS For Sale, Melbourne area, 1x Bushnell Yardage Pro 600 compact as new going very cheap.)

Have I learnt my own lesson yet? The Bushnells are suprisingly good, but the Leicas are just that much better that I am now prepared to sell the Yardage Pro probably to the same friend for next to nothing.

I use the super rugged Hensodlt/Ziess 8x30 Porro Binoculars most of the time, virtualy given away courtesy of the German Government (they are a great comprimise in size, weight, with brilliant Clarity, amazing depth of field: Individual (set & forget) Focus for better sealing/durabilty, with good field of view & brightness.
They are not as bright as my mates Ziess 8x56 but then again I don't hunt after dark.

In Australia Spotlighting for feral pests eg introduced cats, foxes & wild dogs is permitted on private land, but this is not considered hunting. Just shooting out of necessity. Farmers use this method to protect their crops & animals.

If I need greater range I use my Swarovski 10x40 SL porros or the  Kowa TSN4 77mm Fluorite Spotting scope is used for Bird watching, target shooting & sizing up game at long range.

For low light I use an old pair of porro Nikon 7x50s great for Astronomy, boat use & watching owls, but a bit too heavy & bulky for hiking. I now prefer a higher 8x or 10x magnification for most purposes, especially 8x for ease of use & an objective of 30-40mm for ease of carry. 50-60mm objectives are great for still hunting, off boats or other vehicles, but a bit much when carrying a pack, rifle & other goodies.

My Canon compact roof 8x25A or Nikon WP 8x23 porros are only carried now for backup, daytime sporting events, loaning to others or when I absolutely must travel light.

If I had to select one Budget pair for me it would be Deutche Optik's Hensodlt 8x30 Porros .

If you prefer the smell of new pair or the sexy look & feel of full size roofs, check out Pentax's new phase corrected water proof 8x40 (almost as good as the expensive European stuff). Another excellent Buy is Swift's new 8.5x44 Audobon Porro. You can not go wrong with either. For more in depth reviews on these or other sporting optics check out the excellent Bird watcher's web Site:
Better View Desired.

Sorry for the long-winded reply, But I hope that you may learn from my costly mistakes.

Best wishes
Paul from Australia.

 

[mustystubs]

I didn't see anyone mention Minolta binoculars.  I have three pair.  They are 8x40 which makes them fairly lightweight and handy.  The optics are excellent.  Unfortunately, I looked Minolta up on the web and didn't see these offered, plus I heard they discontinued them.  Too bad.  The first pair I bought onsale at Macy's for $99.  Then I found them at Filco (Sac area only) for $65 and bought two more pair.  Still have one unopened in the gun safe.  Sorry, they're not for sale.

 

[LadyHunter]

Don't forget that binoculars are also good for looking at the stars. Try looking at the stars with you eyes first, then try it with your binoculars. You would be surprised at how many more stars you can see. And you can see the Orion nebula with a pair of binocs.

 

[nimrod]

I have the Pentax 8x42 WPs. Best move in optics I ever made. And for $350, warranty included.


Mac

 

[CMitchell]

Look at the Pentax DCF/PCF WP's. Great optics for the money. They have a nice rebate going right now. I bought the 10x50 PCF's to keep in my truck. Then got the B&L Elite spotter. Grand total was around $500 delivered. Look at Adorama.com.

 

[KID CREOLE]

This is a very popular set of binos used on the water by fisherman but they might be too heavy to tote around while hiking. Myself, Whitey1, Triggerfinger and Wingsetter all have Fujinon 7x50 rubber coated bino's.

 

[PHOnos]

If you're in the SoCal area, a good place to try out quality optics and get good information on the differences in them is Scope City in Costa Mesa, (on Harbor Blvd., I think, or maybe Bristol). I bought my son a pretty good pair of binoculars here last Christmas for about $300.

 

[Goatboy]

THE BEST DEAL ON BINOS RIGHT NOW IS THIS!

Pentax DCF/PCF WP's

There is a $100 factory rebate on them right now
They are Nitrogen purged,waterproof,and most importantly phase coated.
They also have a lifetime warranty.
Go ahead and compare them to the Swaro SLC's that cost $1000, you won't be able to tell the differance.
I bought the 8x42 from 17th street photo "authorized dealer" for $225 after the rebate! I know of at least 10 folks that have bought from 17th, they are a no gray market store, everything came just as the factory would have sent it along with the rebate coupon. Pentax had my $100 to me in a month.
This is a real NO BRAINER
Cabelas sells them for $450, $350 after the rebate. Go with 17th!
http://www.17photo.com/mivastore/merchant....duct_Code=62560
That will take you there, they have a 14 day return policy if for some reason you don't like them, I'm thinking of picking up a pair of the 16x60 porros for spotting, they are only like $185 after the rebate. And the ship to you within 4 days.
Good hunting guys, trust me on this one nothing else comes close for this price!

 

[DILPRXO]

Check out Minox...Armored,waterproof to 5 meters...German optics..30yr warranty..and half the price of Ziess.I have a pair of their 8x32's that have performed wonderfully for me the last couple years. WWW.Minox.com