Binocular Help

[huntingtanner]

I am looking to purchase a set of binoculars and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what to purchase for $500 or less? I was thinking of purchasing the Ziess Conquest - anyone have any input good or bad ? [8D]

[North Texan]

I haven't ever seen anything from Zeiss that I wouldn't own. Cabela's has the Classics for $700, and they seem like solid optics. I use Swarovski SLC's, but they would blow your budget.

[skeeter 7MM]

I have 10x43 Pentax DCF SP they have been excellent, they might be worth a boo.

[gselkhunter]

I will second Pentax. I have 2 pairs 8X42 & 10X42 DCF WPs. In a word, great!
Gselkhunter

[RoyalWapiti]

I was in market for about the same price range, I saved alittle and bought the Nikon Monarch 10x42. They sell for $300 in stores or you can buy them online for $250 delivered.

I compared them to Leupold, Zeiss shurfin??? and steiner. All in that 300-400 price range. Can't beat Nikon's no-fault warranty for 25 years.

[sam 444]

I also bought the nikon monarch 10x42. I compared them side by side with the leupold,bushnell and zeiss.I found the nikon clearer than some and a lot easier to use with glasses than ant of the others.

[Power]

I've got the Zeiss Conquest 10x30 and they are perfect for the price plus lifetime guarentee. Got them online for just around $400.

[PABowhntr]

I had owned a pair of the Zeiss Conquest 8x30s. In my opinion they offered the sharpest image of any binocular I have owned....particulary in the center of the field of view. However, I did experience I slight "halo" affect in the separation area between crispness and the fuzziness that surrounds the other 1/3 of the field of view.

Other pluses:

They are exceptionally lightweight and the focus is very slow and extremely accurate. Just when you think you have an object in focus you turn the knob a bit more and it becomes even crisper. At $450 they are a good buy.

However, even in the 8x30 configuration they have a relatively small exit pupil size of 3.75. Exit pupil directly affects the brightness and contrast of the image. If you talk to most optics/hunting authorities they generally suggest no smaller than a 4 mm exit pupil if you are going to be using the binocular in less than perfect lighting conditions...ie, dawn, dusk and or deep forest.

Personally, I have opted for the 8x42 configuation but think that an 8x32 configuration would be about the lowest I would go to expect decent low light performance. Here are some to consider at your price point and lower.....

Pentax DCF-XP 8x33 $399
Burris Signature 8x32 $349
Leupold Wind River Olympic 8x42 $369
Leupold Wind River Katmai 8x32 $309
Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 $289
Bushnell Legend 8x32 or 8x42 $289
Pentax DCF HR II 8x42 $289

Those are Cabelas prices. You should be able to find them one or two places on the web for a bit cheaper.

[IL-Cornfed]

I've tried several of the optics that have been mentioned and ended up buying the Nikon Monrachs. They were great binos UNTIL I compared them to Baush & Lomb Discoverers...... MUCH better in optical quality! You would not believe how crystal clear these optics are.... in fact they compare to the $1000 B&L Elites my Dad uses. You can buy 'em at lancaster for around $400. A best buy in top shelf optic IMHO. You've got to check 'em out!

[Allegiance05]

I have the 10x30 Conquests and they are great. I compared them to Nikon / Bushnell / Pentax / Leupold Windriver / Steiner. They were easily the best ones I looked through and tust me I tried to find a cheaper pair that would make me happy. You definately won't be disappointed.