Cant decide on Bino's help

[Raully]

I purchased a set of Steiner predators 10x26 and I was completely satisfied with them. The only thing was I should have bought something thats brighter in the mornings and at dusk. Well I have to return them to Cabelas, because one of the lenses fogged on the inside during a hunt in light rain. They are supposed to be leak and fog proof. I'm debating whether to get another pair or get another brand and bigger objective lense to let in more light. I'm looking at the Zeiss Diafun 8x30 or 10x30, or the Pentax DCF waterproof 10x42. I hunt mostly Black tail deer and do lots of hiking so I need something compact and light. What power should I go with 8x or 10x? Thanks.

P.S.
I did like the Steiners

 

[Raully]

Well I returned the Stieners and purchased a pair of Zeiss Diafun 10x30. I hope these will satisfy my needs and last longer. I went through 3 pairs of Bino's this season.

 

[Kernhuntr]

I think you will be more than satisfied with the Zeiss. That's what I used to use and I sometimes wish I still had them around.

What were the other three pairs of binos you went through?

 

[Raully]

My first pair were rugged exposures. The onjective lens spun when I was cleaning them. The second were a pair of pentax nothing wrong with these. I actually thought they were awsome. The brightness and clarity were incredible, but only in the day time. The oblective lens to small to let in light at dusk and dawn hours. I returned them after 2 hunts and purchased a pair of Steiner predators 10x26. These I also liked and so did my hunting buddys. They also weren't that great in low light situations. They were powerful compact and very clear. The coatings do work to make the deer stand out. I returned them after hunting Apache Cyn. in the rain for 4 days. The left eye piece fogged on the inside. They are supposed to be water and fog proof. They were obviously defective. I hope the Zeiss will work in low light situations. They are 10x30 , and I wanted the Zeiss classics with the bigger objective lens but can't afford the $699 price tag right now. I'm hoping to get a new 300 WSM in a Browning or Win. model. I'll let you know how these work out. I check the tracking and I'm supposed to get them on Thursday. I might do some quail hunting Friday morning so hopefully I can try the bino's then.

 

[Raully]

I got to try out my new Zeiss Diafun 10x30 on Sunday. I went up to my cousins ranch with a buddy of mine to hunts some quail. The new Bino's are awsome. I like everything about them except the strap. Big difference over the Steiners in clarity and brightness. The strap is kind of built in and you have to use their replacement straps. I going to modify the original strap so I can attach a wider more comfortable one to it.

 

[DILPRXO]

Check out Minox....German optics...armored..waterproof to 5 meters..30 year warranty...half the price of Ziess...I've had a pair of their 8x32's for a few years...really happy with their performance.
Take care