Binoculars

[DrewT]

Bang for the buck, what is the best buy( dollar for value ) for a set of binoculars for the purpose of hunting?
Ive read about, types of prism types, coatings, type of glass etc..., ya you can expect the best from Zeiss and Swarovski and others, but for a set of 10 x 42 and the dollars being spent, what are you recommendations or expeeriences?
DT

[Bow Walker]

8.5x50 from Vortex. I've recommended Vortex to a number of people. Those that have bought have been impressed. 'Nuff said.

[todbartell]

bang for the buck? I'd say Bushnell Excursion EX 10x42 @ $260

[Mr. Dean]

The Legends have really come down in price the last year or so. IIRC the Cabellas Dream Book had them for ~ $350.00

I'd buy another set in a heartbeat, if my 500 buck one's got ran over.

[DrewT]

Thanks for the input so far, I just realized I dropped this post in the wrong section, can someone move it to the Hunting Gear area...Sorry

[Steeleco]

Bino's are another touchy feely things IMHO. Stats can mean a lot, but if they don't fit right you won't use them. Try to get your hands on one of each of the ones mentioned above and see which ones make you go HUM!!!!

I pack Nikon Monrach's, I was real happy with a set of Leupold Pinnacles I tried at the Abby show, but was just as happy with my Monarch's for half the money!!!

[270WSMGB]

Leupold Cascades are excellent. Very good reviews on Cabelas. Check em out.

[beeker]

Leupold Cascades are excellent. Very good reviews on Cabelas. Check em out.


been very happy with mine thus far

[huntcoop]

8.5x50 from Vortex. I've recommended Vortex to a number of people. Those that have bought have been impressed. 'Nuff said.

Upon BW's recommendation my hunting partner and I each bought a set of Vortex Vultures and they are incredible. Excellent glass and an outstanding warranty should one ever need to use it.

[Blainer]

I would look at the steiner line.Very good glass
Purchased a few items from opticsplanet.com

[brksey]

i have a set of leupolds and i have used a set of swaros in the same power ,and i dont notice that big of a difference, except about a thousand bucks more for the swaros. Try the leups you wont be dissapointed , and look how much money you'll have left over for your hunting trip.

[Mr. Dean]

i have a set of leupolds and i have used a set of swaros in the same power ,and i dont notice that big of a difference, except about a thousand bucks more for the swaros. Try the leups you wont be dissapointed , and look how much money you'll have left over for your hunting trip.

I agree with this.

As with most anything; once you reach a certain point of "perfection", any more improvements come hard. The tiniest of better, becomes very expensive.

I have always felt that when it comes to optics, it boils down to personal choice based on fit and practicality of intended usage. Most anything that runs ~ $500 "out the door" should suffice for many, many years to come, for *most* hunting enthusiasts.

Take your time and play with several options. Only you can tell.
Shows are an excellent place for this type of shopping IMO.

I also like to stick with the tried and true and let the guinea pigging fall on someone else FWTW.

[Blainer]

Monster buck,225 yards out,approx. 4 minutes of light left,and you will wish you had the Swarovski.These other glasses don't compare,other than Leica or even a good pair of Zeiss.
Is it worth the money?If you compare at dawn or dusk you will see the differance!I personally use Leupold,but the Swaros. are better.

[threedhunter]

checkout london drugs, they sell the 10x42 legends @339 last time i was in here in ok.they also sell nikon and pentax.try em , buy what works best for your eye.threedhunter.:biggrin:

[wolverine]

About two months ago I had the chance to compare a high end Bushnell set to a mid range Zeiss ($1200. pair of glasses) . You know, for the money, I'd take the Bushnells. Yeah, I know Zeiss is good but not that much better for the buck which was about triple or so. I guess if I was guiding and looking through them all day I could justify the difference in price but as far as brightness and clairty went, it just wasn't that much difference.

[Bowzone_Mikey]

Alpen

http://www.alpenoutdoor.com/

I love mine

[BowSitter]

Another vote for Vortex. I was the one who got BowWalker to get some and he loves them. Check them out, www.vortexoptics.com (http://www.vortexoptics.com)

[Bowzone_Mikey]

Another vote for Vortex. I was the one who got BowWalker to get some and he loves them. Check them out, www.vortexoptics.com (http://www.vortexoptics.com)


very good optics as well

I have been impressed with them as well

[Stresd]

checkout london drugs, they sell the 10x42 legends @339 last time i was in here in ok.they also sell nikon and pentax.try em , buy what works best for your eye.threedhunter.:biggrin:

I Have the Steiner Predator 10x26 and very happy with them. But wanted something to fill the gap between those and my Pentax PF-63. Settled on the Bushnell Legend 13-0142 - binoculars 10 x 42. Wholesale Sports is selling them for$299.http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlinestore/control/category/~category_id=11814/~pcategory=11812
with the opticsplanet selling for $219
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-binoculars-10x42-rp-legend-wtrprf.html
I was able to buy them for a little less than that. They have really come down in price and this is for their newest model. The " Legend™ roof-prism binoculars that are now slimmer and 20% lighter thanks to a new magnesium chassis" I can now toss my old 12x50 Bushnell Powerviews.:wink:

[Bow Walker]

You owe it to yourself to check these out ...http://www.vortexoptics.com/ ....go to your local Bird Watching store and handle a pair. They carry them. Oh yeah, 8.5x50's seem ike 10x42's when you're glassing.

[cwocarsten]

I have 10X42EL Swaroski binoculars. Had a tab break off on the main housing. Sent them away for warranty repairs and they sent me a brand new pair back. They were expensive but worth it. Save your $ and buy a good set for life like I did.

[MIL720]

another vote for vortex....love them

[dime]

I pack Nikon Monarch's, I was real happy with a set of Leupold Pinnacles I tried at the Abby show, but was just as happy with my Monarch's for half the money!!!
Ditto on the Nikon Monarchs

[Savage Man]

Another vote for Leupold . I have set of gold rings and love them , I compared them to the swarovski's and could not tell the difference.

[Bow Walker]

Well DrewT, there's lottsa vote here. Which brand are you going with?

[ruttinbuck]

I ran Leupold wind river 8X42 mesa for quite some time great glass for $250
Upgraded to wind river pinnacles again in 8X42,$500 really good glass.
Lucked into a pair of used zeiss 8X30 dyalyt{classics} on a trade and wow these are really nice.
For $250 pretty hard to beat a lifetime warranty serviced in Canada product.RB

[frenchbar]

Im a fan of the wind rivers as well.Just picked up another pair of 10x50 olympics.nice glass imo.

[Rust]

I ran Leupold wind river 8X42 mesa for quite some time great glass for $250

X2 I used these for 2 hard summers and they worked fine. Still have them as back ups. So if you only got a few hundred to spend these will work just fine.

But I did up-grade to the Leica 10X42 Geovids this spring. I love having the range finder built in....

[Seth]

Nikon Monarchs 10x42

[DrewT]

Well thanks for the imput from all. I bought the best I could afford, and ended up with a new pair of Leupold Pinnacles 10 x 42 delivered to my door for $440 CDN

[ruttinbuck]

You won't be sorry with your choice.
Best glass for the cash IMHO.RB

[DrewT]

Spent an hour with my new Binoculars into dusk. Im extremely happy with these and think my money was spent well.
Thanks again:smile:

[Avalanche123]

I've had my swarovski's for over 10 years and I have never regretted spending the extra $$$$.

I just purchased a swarovski spotting scope last year and I have no regrets there either.

I am fortunate that I can afford them. The optics I used previously were just plain terrible so I went straight to my first choice.

Good to hear you are pleased with your choice! As long as you are happy, that's what counts.