Optics

[rusman66]

What kind of binoculars do you guys use with this west coast terrain? I am thinking about buying a nice pair but there are so many! and the prices are all over the place.  What do you prefer and why?

 

[paulc]

i have 9X40 steiners.. they were the best i could afford at the time..$300.00 plus at the time.. i could get more expensive ones now but i have looked thru leica's, nikons, swaravskis and i cant tell the difference and on steiners you dont have to focus. i may be to stupid to know better .. if you want info on where to get them refurbished instead of new let me know

 

[Speckmisser]

I use a set of Nikon 10-22x50s.  They're pretty bulky and heavy, but I put a lot of stock into being able to really see what I'm looking at...especially out here where you're required to shoot forked horns only.  The 50mm objective is really sweet in low light, too.  

Like Paul, these are what I could afford at the time.  I have definitely learned that you get what you pay for in optics...at least up to a point (people really pay 3 grand for binocs?).  I finally relegated my old Tascos to the "behind the seat" gear.  

 

[Bishop]

I've got the Nikon Monarch 10x40.  Very clear and bright.  Cost about $300.00.  A lot of guys have tried them at the range I go to and everybody agrees that they're better than most of the optics in the $300-$500 range.  I also bought my sons some Nikon Egret II 8X40s for about $100.00 each, and their as clear and bright as my $300.00 pair.  And lighter too.  So if I had it to do over again, I'd just get the Egret IIs.

 

[hntndux]

Waterproof 7x35 Redfields.  No complaints yet, paid $225 for them several years ago.

 

[BOB]

rusman66,

Remember that you need to get a set of binoculars that match your style of hunting.  Do you need small light ones or do you need higher magnification which will make them heavier and bulkier?

I use a set of 10X40 most of the time, but when I'm sneaking, I sure wish they were a set of 8X20s or so.  I guess what I'm trying to say is if you don't need the magnification, get a small set.

And remember, you usually get what you pay for, so don't scrimp anymore than you have too.

BOB

 

[rusman66]

thanks for the info guys, Ill let you know what I decide on.

 

[Passthru]

 Has anyone got any of these so called night vision Binocs? do they work well?
 I have been looking for good optics but dont know what to get,im stupid in this area and dont have a big budget for them. Can you tell me what BaK4 is?
 Im thinking it would be nice to see at night for scouting feilds is why i ask about the night visions,but regular binocs are good also.

(Edited by Passthru at 6:21 am on Nov. 1, 2001)

 

[Tinhorn]

When I was in the Army, we had StarLight Scopes on our rifles and zeroed in like a regular telescope sight, just don't forget to close that eye when you shoot because the FLASH will blind you in that eye, like a photo flash and you won't see a thing for about 20 mins    

A friend bought one of the Civilian models last year and it worked real good, it was a 4X monocular I think.  

It also had an ivisible IR light to switch on in case it was too dark for normal viewing (nite-visision   require "Some" light) and it worked real good at close range, like 10 or 20 yards I think it was.....

Tinhorn

 

[MNHNTR]

Bak 4 is a propreitary coating for lenses.  I forgot who uses that coating. For night vision you will find whats called First Generation, second Gen. and third ge. night vision. I believe this refers to each new modification and improvement.  The price of each also shows that improvement. You can buy  1st Gen for real cheap.  The others are very expensive. Sams Club in Glendora is selling Bushnell night vision forabout 169.  

 

[Paul from Australia]

Passthru
BAK-4 actually refers to the type/quality of Glass used in the binocular's Prism.

Most optical prisms are made from borosilicate (BK-7) glass or barium crown (BAK-4) glass. BAK-4 is the higher quality glass offering brighter images and better edge sharpness.


Coatings on lens surfaces reduce light loss and glare due to reflection, resulting in a brighter, higher-contrast image. There are different levels of coating: The Better Quality optics are: Fully Multi-Coated: Multiple layers on all air-to-glass surfaces.


Fully-multi coated optics and BaK-4 prisms offer increased light transmission, giving you greater brightness and clarity. (All other things being equal).


For Low Light Binoculars (not night vision) may I suggest that you visit a camera store one late night and physically compare different binoculars in the    7x50s & 8x56 range, a good quality 10x50 should also offer excellent Light-Transmission. Nikon offer some particularly good choices at reasonable prices.

Cheers Paul.

 

[Passthru]

 Thanx for the replys,I think i will look for a good affordable set of optics for glassing at night,and maybe some decent mini binocs for hunting,i hate to carry any more than i have to while hunting.
 At least i know what BAK4 means now and will help when sorting through the many binoculars out there.