Best Binoculars

[115 or bust]

So heres a real conversation Starter. Some time over the next two years I am going to invest in a good pair of binoculars. My requirements are that they are a minimum 12X preferably 15X and with a field of view no less than 60. I have quite a bit of experience with the older zeiss 15x 60's and they are essentially the standard by which I shall judge all others. From my reading so far Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica of course come up the most. Some others do come up occasinally such as Doctor Optics etc. So what do you guys figure the best binocular fitting that description will be.

[todbartell]

Swarvo SLC 15x56?

[Bow Walker]

Got $2500 you don't need? Try these on for size...
http://www.grouseriver.com/Swarovski_SLC_15x56_p/opt-000145.htm

Or if you're feeling especially flush you can try these....
http://www.grouseriver.com/Leica_15x56_Geovid_Binocular_p/opt-000013.htm

[115 or bust]

That leica pretty much fits the bill especially with the rangefinder built in. I'll have to look at that one a little closer here. Like I said I'm gonna be saving up for a year or two but its a once in a lifetime purchase. Course lol maybe those ones will be more like five or six years lol.

[115 or bust]

How is the warranty with the swarovski's??

[Bow Walker]

I don't have details on the warranty....

Those links that I posted are from Geouse River Outfitters - one of our sponsors here. They have an 800 number - Toll-Free: 1-877-5-GROUSE (877-547-6873) Phone: (250) 717-1070......give them a call or go to the Swarovski website.

Good luck with saving.

[Singleshotneeded]

:D Hey 115 or bust, Here's a suggestion to consider...the Canon Image Stabilizer Binocular, in 15*50 for $1300 USD at Cabelas, or the 18*50
for $1600 USD. The binos use 2 AA batteries to power the stabilizer
circuitry, giving you a rock solid sharp image even with the high
magnification. Since you're after high power binos, these will eliminate
the shake problem...

[bigwhiteys]

How is the warranty with the swarovski's??

Swarovski Warranty is awesome... They totally rebuilt my 8x30 SLC's that were handed down to me from my dad... like 10 years old+ and no questions asked...

Had the glasses back in 3 months and they even replaced all of the emblems that had fallen off over the years.

Now Zeiss on the other hand... They've had my spotting scope since September... Still no word when that's coming back!

Edit - Just phoned Gen-Tec (Zeiss Canada Distributor) and my scope was sent on the 26th of February, I should have it tomorrow. They replaced the lenses (which were fine to my knowledge), recharged the gas, and fixed the focus mechanism I broke... About $1000 in repair he said. On the report it said "impacted" as the cause of damage, it was my fault but they stood behind it and that's how it should be when you're spending top dollar on Glass.

Took a little longer because the Zeiss rep said the optics the HD lenses need to go to Austria. If it's not the HD then it can be fixed here.

Carl

[115 or bust]

thanks for the good tips guys. I just found those 15X leicas with the built in range finder in the back of the cabela's magazine for 2,800 dollars a little bit cheaper than the 4800 on that website :O.

[Mr. Friendly]

Pentax makes some bino's in that power range I believe. so does Vixen if I recall correctly.

edit - actually, it might be Canon and not Pentax. perhaps you'd like to consider the Canon Image Stabilized bino's? heavier yes, smaller objectives, yes...but the fact you don't have any image shake makes up for that.

[115 or bust]

Thanks guys, I'm going to stay away from the stabilized bino's cause its a lot of extra weight on alpine hunts and stuff. I'm not too concerned about shake I've been using my dads 15X zeisses since I was a kid and it just takes a little getting used to.