How do you Evaluate Binocs?

[Big_C]

I'm making the journey to the Cabela's in Glendale, AZ this weekend with the intention of buying a new pair of binocs. I want to be able to play with a number of different units at different price points and compare them side by side.

My question is, how do you go about evaluating a pair of binoculars in a store? I'm thinking I should probably try to find something a distance away and see how the object looks through the different glasses, but I'm also thinking that at the upper end everything will look good. What else can I do to distinguish between the quality of the binoculars (i.e. how well it will perform for me with my set of eyes)?

Does that make sense? I know I could ask what to buy and I'll get a dozen "swaro" and "zeiss" and so forth answers. What I want to do is judge for myself, but I guess I don't know how to judge.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chris

PS - It's gotta be Cabela's because of all the gift cards I've accumulated...

 

[ltdann]

I looked at binos at that store. I let the clerk set me up with the question "why should I pay 1700 for a set of binos". He laid out cheap, medium and top of the line.

Its the clarity of the glass, the light gathering ability and the details.

I looked at the Buffalo head mounted on the wall across the store. With the cheap pair I could make the basic buffalo on the wall.

With the medium pair, I could see that the horn was a bit off on one side.

With the expensive pair, the buff seemed brighter and I could see the eyelashes.

Make sure the image is clear all the way to the edge of the view.

Be realisitic with what your gonna use if for. You can go cheaper if your gonna occasionally glass at mid distances.

If, like me, you spent hours behind the glass, surveying close to far, early morning and late evening and in shadows, go top of the line.

With a good set of bino's, you'll find you'll spend more time glassing and SEEING more.

I went with swaro's and never regretted it. You'll never have to upgrade.

 

[trapperbr549]

Also, pay particular attention to the edges of the field of view. With cheaper ones the image tends to deteriorate more on the edges. Then I like to find something that I know is straight, like the mortar pattern on a brick wall to make sure it doesn't look curved top to bottom or left to right.

 

[MJB]

Glass outside the store if they won't let you ask for a manager and convince them you are serious about your purchase. I would go to cabelas at dusk to see the light gathering. Also look into the suns direction to see the glare it reduces which is another big one. And if you are glassing for a long time in the field you may want to make sure they have a tripod mount, most of the good ones do. Lifetime warranty a must and stay away from the Cabela's brand not worth the money.
Also look at different powers mine are 10 x 43 if I did it over I might have gone with the 12 power, but distance for stability is not a good trade off.

 

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Chris,
There is one thing you can't evaluate at the store, but you have to get by word of mouth. You can read what I have said in the thread "Toughness & Longevity. Good luck in your search.

 

[Big_C]

Thanks guys! I forgot my password so couldn't login over the weekend to ask further questions :-(

I checked out several different binocs and finally decided to buy.......
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Nothing right now.

I'm torn between Nikon Monarchs, which have an awesome "no fault" warranty so even if I drive over them or shoot them or abuse them in any way imaginable Nikon will replace them, and the Cabela's Euros. The Euros were clearly superior glass - clear to the edges, clear while panning, and very easy on the eyes - but are $500 more and if I break them I'm SOL. The Nikons had decent glass that I could probably live with and if an accident ever happened I wouldn't have to worry about buying a new pair.

So that's where I am right now. I'm thinking of waiting until deer season, buying both pairs and using them in the field, then returning one.