Looking for New Binos

[T F Coyote]

I am looking for a pair of new deer hunting binoculars, and the choices are a bit overwhelming. Porro or roof prism? 8 or 10 power? Compact or mid-size?

I want to spend $200 - $350. I am leaning toward the Nikon Monarch ATB, but would appreciate any input you have.

What brand, power, etc. would you buy, and why?

 

[Passthru]

I have a pair of Nikon action binos 7X and love them,very clear,right around $100.00 I personally didnt need real expensive or high powered binos for around here and these fit right in with my type deer hunting. the stronger the power they get hard to hold still,something to consider.

 

[Bishop]

I'm on my second pair of Monarch's. Like them very much. Real clear and bright. I didn't wear out the first pair, just passed them down to one of the boys when the new lighter weight models came out.

 

[_droptine_]

Check out the Ranger and Ranger Platinum lines from http://www.eagleoptics.com

These are made by Celestron and are virtually the same binoculars as the Burris Signature series as well as the Cabelas Alaskan Guide models, but at a much better price.

 

[T F Coyote]

Bishop,

8 or 10 power?

 

[Bishop]

10 power

R&R ussually has good prices on optics.

http://www.dnrsports.net/miva/merchant.mv?...ory_Code=binnik

10x $255.00

 

[COHunter]

I hear Leupolds "Wind River" series are supposed to be decent glass.

 

[Spitzer]

My Bushnell Legend 8x42 roof's are great! So are the new 8x42 Nikon Monarchs.

 

[DKScott]

I have the Leupold Wind River 8x42 porros. Japanese glass, generally good, bright image. They're inexpensive and pretty good value. The image is a little flat, compared to high end glass. If you compare to reference quality glass like Zeiss, top-end Nikon or Swarovski, you can definitely tell the difference, but in the field, they're fine. I'll upgrade to Swaro SLCs someday though.

Invest some time at Better View Desired a website designed mainly for birders. It has some good field tests, comparisons and excellent articles on the basics of optics - exit pupils, light transmission, field of view, etc. Knowledge is power and its nice to know what features to spend your money on. They also list and rate a number of brands.

If you are going to the lower or middle market, porros often give better performance than roof prisms, since roofs are inherently more expensive to manufacture and don't transmit light as effectively as porros (it takes $$ to overcome this).

 

[WildBird]

I have a pair of Steiner Military Marine 8x30. Very nice for the $199 price. Weigh 17 oz. and compact. They have held up under tough conditions for a long time. WB

 

[T F Coyote]

Thanks for all the input. My Nikon Monarchs are en route from D&R Sports.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I just picked up a pair of Leupold Wind River's as well. Very impressed since I only spent $280. Take a look, I think you will like them.

Jim

 

[Losthwy]

Roof.
8x. The 10x are too difficult to hold still for good glassing.
mid-size better light grathering in low light, but the compacts are cheaper and lighter. Go with mid-size.

Many brands are good, price for the most part dictakes quality. Don't believe anyone who says their $100 binos are a "great pair". You get what you pay for! Outdoor Life's website has a good article on optics and reviews. That Better View that DK mentioned is a good reference site.

 

[LAgunman2K]

ive also been in the market for a decent set of bino's the compact ones i can slip into a pocket and go.
what ive learned is that roof prisms give a more slim stream line compact design, while porro prism give binos the more traditional look.
bak 4 prism is best, while bak7 is less clear. if it doesnt tell you which bak it is assume its a 7.

deciding power is really a personal issue, for the compacts that i want i tried 8x and a 10x, the 8x was not comfy against my eyes because of the smaller diamter, the 10x was fine. field of view isnt as important for my purposes, and i wouldnt be losing as much going from 8 -10, where i would at 12x or 16x.
also the bigger objective the more light, and hopefully the clearer things get.

 

[Hogskin]

I also recently acquired a pair of 10X Wind Rivers and couldn't be happier with them.

 

[BradCa]

T F Coyote,

When you get a chance, give us an update. How do you like the Nikons? I'm planning on getting the same ones from D&R in about a week.

Thanks,
Brad

 

[cavey]

$255 is a good price for 10x42 monarch's the local stores have them for $299

 

[EVAN III]

I've got the Nikon sporter I realtree 10 X 36 and they are as clear as almost anything I've seen. They are very compact and very brite. I couldn't be happier with them. At a price tag of $219 for the realtree camo version and I believe $189 for the black version they can't be beat.

 

[bzzboyz]

I recently bought a par 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 past weekend. 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. E-amil me and I will get you his information if you are interested.

 

[T F Coyote]

Update:

The Nikon Monarchs 10x42 seem to be GREAT binoculars. The picture is bright and clear. I have yet to use them while hunting, but I will be scouting with them this weekend.

Of course, the true test of qualitiy binos is durability. I've read elsewhere on this page that any bino can give a great image, but the more expensive binos will keep that great image year after year. Only time will tell.