Binoculars
So, I'm not only new to TH, but apparently to "binoculars" too -;) I understand the magnification: The first number refers the magnification of binocular. A "10×50" for example, magnifies the view by 10 times. Objects appear 10 times larger than they do without the binoculars. The second number refers to the objective size (diameter in millimeters).
Q: I've decided on a 8 x 25 pocket sized. However, there is a great disparity in price from brand to brand online; as low as $39 up to as high as &79-200+. I don't have much $ and don't want to over-invest in binoculars that I'm only using for "scouting" and my sons football games. Why the disparity in price from one pair of pocket-sized 8 x 25 to another? Is it brand, are there differences in quality? Will a $40 8 x 25 work just as well as a $200? besides special features such as HD, Camera's and things of the sort are there differences that matter for "my purposes"? I'd love to not have to spend more than $40-$50.
Thanks
Unfortunately, glass is one of those things that you will probably have to over pay for. I would figure out what I want to spend and find the highest rated pair in that range. With my rifle scopes I am a firm believer spending more on the optics than the rifle.
I see. But isn't there some difference between purchasing a "scope" for hunting and often longer ranges a little different from a simple pair of binoculars for short-range scouting and an up-front ball game?
Look through them. Check the features you want and find the best you can afford. I have some 8x32 Nikons that I bought a long time ago. I use them for turkey hunting and duck hunting. They are waterproof and have been a great pair. 15 years old and going strong. Probably paid $99 or so and cried when I did it, but they were worth every penny.
Check the lower end Vortex for some features you will not get at their price point. All depends on what you are willing to pay. I have a buddy that has some Swarovski bino that are nicer than my new vortex. I personally do not see 250 vs 1250 difference in the optics (although I know there are differences) so I am tickled with my deal.
I was once told to "buy the best glass you can afford." The reson is you will likley use them much more than you expect. The more expensive models are built better, have better glass coatings and ergonomics. All important points in avoiding eye or arm strain. I frequently use my binos for hours on end both in the East and West. I would suggest Leopold or Nikon as my preference. Vortex is up and coming. So if you started with those three you would be making a good selection. I have no experience with any others other than Swarovski which are all I currently use.
Out west you would need good high power glass. East of the Mississippi in timber and fields you can go smaller. 40$ won't work as well as 200$ and so on but if you keep the lens clean you will be happy. Buy once cry once.
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Another tip I'd suggest is, when you go to a place to look through a pair of noccers, be reasonable, offer to leave your driver's license and see if theyll let you take them outside to look through them. Try to find a bird to look at, do his wings look clear and crisp? Also try going early or later in the day when the sun is toughest. You really do get what you pay for with optics.
I run Vortex Optics and would recommend them to anyone
Been selling optics for better than 20 years and there are huge differences in glass. I will always say buy the best of what you can afford, I have a few pairs binoculars.
Swarovski EL's in 8.5x42's & SLC's 10x30 (My turkey pair) I also have some Alaskan Guide 8x42's for knock arounds...
If you are shopping at a budget I would look at some of these Nikon 8x30 Monarchs
MK M GOBL
I did a lot of research when I bought my glass and ended up with a pair of Pentax. Pentax makes some good lenses at a reasonable price. I've been very pleased with them.
And I thought I was big time when I bought a pair of Nikon Monarchs.
If you do a bunch of glassing there's no replacement for a quality pair. At least for me. I started to get headaches glassing for hours while deer/elk hunting until I bought a quality pair. My first big boy purchase was the original Leica 10X42 Geovids. It's the one purchase I never had buyers remorse and wish I had purchased sooner. I upgraded recently to the 10X42 HD-B's. I never leave my truck without them strapped to my chest when turkey hunting.
I have to agree with sandman. I have a pair of Leica Ultravid HDs 10x42 and never head into the woods without them. They are expensive but will last a lifetime.
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Thanks for the feedback -;)
Vortex diamondback compact, well worth the money and lifetime warranty .....
Thanks!
It looks to me like you probably do not need really expensive binoculars for what you are planning on using them for. You can probably find something in the $75-$150 range that would work just fine. From what I have seen, Bushnell makes a pretty reliable, functional, and inexpensive product for the kind of use you are talking about.
Avoid the off-brand, cheapo stuff for sure. It is not that they won't look like they will work when you look through them at the store, the problem will be that, unless you absolutely "baby" them all the time, they will get knocked out of alignment very easily. Check any possible purchase by doing this: Hold the binos in both hands, look through them at some distant object, and then twist your hands in opposite directions (push up with one hand and pull down with the other). If the image doubles or is otherwise distorted easily, and especially if they do not return to a single, clear image when you release the pressure, pass them up.
Thank you very much! Finally, someone who can actual articulate the "why's" of one pair of bino's in terms of cost, brand and quality over another. Your information is very helpful. I appreciate your insights on "alignment". Thank you for your feedback.
I use high dllar ones for deer hunting came acoss a cheap pair of simmons 8×25 small but used them this season an well pleased got tired of lugging 8×42 ,s around
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I see this is an older post and I didn't read all the replies but Bushnell has a great deal going right now, 25% back on all optics purchases if you but it by June 5 or 6th. Cabelas even had a sale going on that overlapped with this rebate and that might get you into the ballpark of 50-60% regular prices... anyway, if you already made a decision, maybe this will help someone else out.
Zeiss Terra ED 10x42s
On sale in a lot of places for less than $400.
Optics are critical. Buy a decent set at the minimum
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on June 04, 2017, 07:35:39 PM
Zeiss Terra ED 10x42s
On sale in a lot of places for less than $400.
Optics are critical. Buy a decent set at the minimum
Just so we understand these may carry a "Zeiss" name they are not truly Zeiss Binoculars...
Where are They Made?
"Designed by Zeiss" is written on the focus wheel of the Zeiss Terra ED. "China" is stamped into the body material beside the serial number and next to the underside of the hinge.
To get a pair of Zeiss under $1000 you are going to have to cut, materials, workmanship and such... to price out at less than $400.
Not to say but these are still a lot better than most binoculars at this price point.
MK M GOBL
Make m gobl, you're right. They are made in China but do have high quality components such as Schotte glass. I understand supply chains and also understand labor costs associated with production. Most Zeiss products are manufactured and assembled in Austria I believe. It saves Zeiss money and ultimately costs the consumer less to manufacture the Terra's in China. Assuming an optic manufactured in China isn't capable of high end performance is flawed.
I have Swarovski SLC 10x42s, Leupold gold ring 10x28s and I'm no stranger to high end glass, however, for $400 bucks, the Zeiss Terra's are a hell of an optic and outperform a lot of the competitors in that price range.
I've hunted them over 80 days the last 2 springs from east to west and north to south. I have no problems throwing serious cash at good gear and would've sold them for another alternative if I'd had any performance issues. They are not equivalent to the Zeiss Victory, Swarovski SLCs or Swarovski ELs but they're a damn fine optic for the price point and provide the kind of performance I need for glassing turkeys at distances ranging from sub 100 yards out to 800 yards in varying light conditions without worrying about having a $2000 dollar optic on my bino harness when I'm belly crawling on a bird.
The bone collector bushnells are very legit for the money. You can snag a set with the harness for less than $100 off Amazon during different times of the year. They are best bang for the buck. 10x40
I use Leupold gold ring 10x28 that have worked great for 20+ years. I'd want more glass if I hunted out west, though the areas I hunt, they're hard to beat. The optics are clear and the compact size fits easily in my vest. I haven't needed to use the lifetime guarantee, but it is nice to know it's there.
Jim
I've repeatedly gone fairly cheap for binos, and have usually been disappointed ... if not right away it was down the road when they started to fog, degrade. This year I finally popped for a decent pair: Carson 3D 10x42 with ED glass in Mossy Oak (specifically Model #: TD-042EDMO). I paid $299.99 online. Couldn't be happier with them ... really bright at low light, crisp image. Came with a chest harness as well. Just my $0.02.
(http://i.imgur.com/cJdXcnH.jpg)
I carry 8×42 ,s deer hunting for the light gathering early and late but turkey hunting i carry a compact pair of 8× 32 ,s fit good in my vest,
lite an really dont use until good light conditions
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