Buck Owens
Member
I'd like to get a new pair of binoculars, but am having trouble deciding on what to get. Does anyone have any suggestions or any favorites? Thanks a bunch!
Binocular Suggestions?
- Thread starter Buck Owens
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maquoketariver
Guest
My only suggestion would be to put your money into quality over magnification.
A hunting partner of mine owns a pair of Steiners and though they don't have a long range of power, they more than make up for this in light gathering and clarity.
A hunting partner of mine owns a pair of Steiners and though they don't have a long range of power, they more than make up for this in light gathering and clarity.
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golfing1
Guest
One word.
SWAROVSKI
SWAROVSKI
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Rembrandt
Guest
I gave about $1000 for my Swarovski 10X's. You can justify it this way...figure you hunt for 25 years, it's only $40 per year. Cheap binocs can't hold a candle to the color and sharpness.
BigTypical
Member
Steiner Predator 8x42 ---- They cut right through the darkness.
Buckhunter
New Member
Spend some money on quality you will be much better off in the long run.I'm one of those guy's that bought the cheap stuff and for what I spent on those I could have gotton a good pair.I carry Nikon's 10x40's and really love them.They are midrange,you can spend much more then that but it's just whatever you want.Just figure $300 and up for something with some quality.
If you want a set that will be good in dim light take the first number and divide it into the second number. 8x42 set, 8 into 42 is 5.25 (this is the size of the exit pupil). You want to get as close as 6 or 7 for the exit pupil for the best light gathering ability. The human eye works the best in low light situations with an exit pupil of 6 to 7. You have to take into consideration that the higher the exit pupil the bigger the bino's, like 8x50's. Great for low light but somewhat larger thus heavier. I have a set of 8x42 Nikon ATB's. I love them, really good in low light. For me the 8x42 was the cut off point for size, weight and performance. Like the other guys said, spend as much as you can afford (maybe a little more) 'cuz cheap ain't good when it comes to bino's!
By the way, this formula works on rifle scopes too. Take your scope size (say 50mm) and divide it by 6 or 7 (which is roughly 8 to 7) and you get the best magnification setting (8 to 7) to set your scope at in a dim light situation where you need to see into the shadows really good.
I didn't make this up, I read it in an article and after my own experamenting it seems to hold true.
By the way, this formula works on rifle scopes too. Take your scope size (say 50mm) and divide it by 6 or 7 (which is roughly 8 to 7) and you get the best magnification setting (8 to 7) to set your scope at in a dim light situation where you need to see into the shadows really good.
I didn't make this up, I read it in an article and after my own experamenting it seems to hold true.
muddy
Well-Known Member
i'm a large fan of Nikon Monarchs. you get excellent quality and workmanship. like everyone has said the biggest thing with optics is you get what you pay for. when i worked at scheels i had the opportunity to play with every pair of binoculars from the lowly $10 to the $1500 swarovski EL's. all i can say is that i would never spend $1500 on optics but the workmanship and glass quality in them is TOTALLY WORTH it. my fav's were, like i mentioned before, the Nikon Monarchs. around $300 and you get an awesome pair of lightweight binoculars with a lifetime warranty. if you decide to put some bucks down on optics make sure you go into the store just before dusk, pick out a bunch of binocs and have a salesman take you outside so you can see the difference in light magnification between the cheapys and the good ones. if they won't let you do it go somewhere else.
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Rembrandt
Guest
I once used cheaper binocs while hunting Antelope in Wyoming. Probably glassed for 3-4 hours a day...ended up with headaches and eye strain. Got some Swarvoski's and no problem with the eyestrain. Trying to pick up colors (like red fox in snow) is also unbelieveably clear and brilliant...with cheaper glass fox look dull brown/gray.
Same goes with rifle scopes and spotting scopes. After using quality optics, anything else is a disappointment. Kinda spoils you for the good stuff.
Same goes with rifle scopes and spotting scopes. After using quality optics, anything else is a disappointment. Kinda spoils you for the good stuff.
Shredder
Life Member
I am stuck right now with the cheaper versions, the nikon Sporter realtree binos. They have worked out fine for me this fall. They are covered by the no fault 25 year limited warranty. When I can afford a nicer pair, I will get these "refurbished" and spring for a pair of Steiner, Swarovski, or Kahles.
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hershy
Guest
...buy the best you can afford...after looking through the low-end models put a pair of the top-level to your eyes...you can feel your eyes relax and will see a huge difference in clarity...
Old Buck
Life Member
I've got to agree with the above. I may buy cheap tree stands and tennis shoes but I want a good set of binoculars. Years ago I got a set of Swarovski 8x30's and have never regretted it.
I'd rather walk into the woods without my bow than without a good set of glasses. I only use the bow once every 10-20 hunts but I use my glasses dozens of times every time I climb a tree.
Good Hunting and glassing!
Old Buck
![893USA1-thumb[1].gif](http://www.iowawhitetail.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/893USA1-thumb[1].gif)
I'd rather walk into the woods without my bow than without a good set of glasses. I only use the bow once every 10-20 hunts but I use my glasses dozens of times every time I climb a tree.
Good Hunting and glassing!
Old Buck
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rhino
Guest
Ditto on spending all you can afford and then some. After the initial pain wears off you won't miss the money and you will be glad you didn't skimp on quality.
If there is anyway to afford them I would strongly encourage you to look at Leica or Swarovski EL. They are a virtual toss up in quality, to me Leica edges Swaro in the warranty, and they are built like a brick shi, well, you know. Leica's carry a lifetime no fault warranty, as long as they are purchased through an authorized Leica USA dealer. A word of caution, you will find many places selling high end Euro binos on the web for "too good to be true" prices. These are usually gray market products and will not carry the manufacturer's warranty. Make sure you buy any Euro binos from an authorized dealer.
If you simply can't justify spending the extra $$, think again. If the answer is still no, look at the top of the line Pentax, Nikon Monarch, or Leupold Wind River Olympics. These are all very, very good. There are other good ones out there I'm sure, but I have actually looked through all of these in the field. For the clearest, sharpest image, make sure whatever you buy at least has Phase Correction Coating. If you can't at least afford the mid range bino's, then save your pennies and try again next year. You will be glad you waited.
If there is anyway to afford them I would strongly encourage you to look at Leica or Swarovski EL. They are a virtual toss up in quality, to me Leica edges Swaro in the warranty, and they are built like a brick shi, well, you know. Leica's carry a lifetime no fault warranty, as long as they are purchased through an authorized Leica USA dealer. A word of caution, you will find many places selling high end Euro binos on the web for "too good to be true" prices. These are usually gray market products and will not carry the manufacturer's warranty. Make sure you buy any Euro binos from an authorized dealer.
If you simply can't justify spending the extra $$, think again. If the answer is still no, look at the top of the line Pentax, Nikon Monarch, or Leupold Wind River Olympics. These are all very, very good. There are other good ones out there I'm sure, but I have actually looked through all of these in the field. For the clearest, sharpest image, make sure whatever you buy at least has Phase Correction Coating. If you can't at least afford the mid range bino's, then save your pennies and try again next year. You will be glad you waited.
Bowhunt
New Member
Last year I found a set of Pentax 8X42 DCF (I think that is right) that Cabelas had for 450 on another website for 330 and they had a 100 dollar rebate to boot at the time. So I got a great pair of binoculars, almost 500 if you are at cabelas for about 240 delivered to my door. They are awesome binocs and the price was unbeatable. They work fine, maybe someday I will spring for a pair of Leica binocs. They are my favorite if price is no object.
Another thing to look for, that I forgot to mention. Hold the bino's up like you're going to look through them but hold them at arms length away from your face. If the exit pupils (round light coming through the lenses) aren't both centered in the lens then don't purchase that pair, no matter what the name brand. This means the prisms inside are out of whack and this is the main cause of eye strain and headaches when using them for long periods of time. Kind of like being cross eyed.