Mid-Priced 10x42 Binos

[Dan in Alaska]

I have been looking at mid-priced binoculars for the last few months. I plan to buy a couple of 4-wheelers this year, so I won't be able to drop another $1800+ on binoculars....as much as I might like to.

I have heard great things about the Minox HG's and the Vortex Razors. I've never handled a set of the Razors, but I have seen the Minox. I am also continually impressed with the Burris Signature Select 10x42's. Side-by-side with the Minox, I think they are a little brighter. Price wise, the Burris are a couple hundred cheaper too.

Minox seems to be getting a lot of positive press these days, but I don't hear much about Burris binos. I am hoping someone has some input on them. Anything wrong with them? I wouldn't think a $500 pair of binoculars would be junk, but I am willing to spend the extra $200 if I need to get the Minox or Vortex.

[okcmco]

The signature selects are very impressive. Although I don't own a pair, I have used one. Craig bodington rates the old signatures a best buy. The new selects are even better. I will leave you a link to a review on these.
The minox's are excellent as well. If I am not mistaken, both are made in ***an.
Also check out the Pentax DCF SP. They are around 550 or 600 bucks. Rated very highly in outdoorlife's gear reviews.
Some others you may want to check out are
Sightron S3
Cabela's Alaskan Guide
Swift Audubon roof binos (model 828 I think)
All od the se are under 600
Let us know what you get
Here is the link to the review on the burris sginatre selects
www.chuckhawks.com/index2i.scopes_optics.htm
There are other reviews as well and if you join the sight you can have access to more good info

[retrieverman]

I would look at the Zeiss Conquest line of binos. To my eyes, they are hard to beat for the money.

[Dan in Alaska]

I just ordered a set of 10x43 Minox HG's from Doug at Cameraland in New York. He has a demo sale going on now, and I picked them up for $499. I don't think I will find better glass at a better price. I hope they work out well.

[okcmco]

The HG's are an awful lot of glass for under 5 bills. You got a good deal. With proper care they will last you your life.
I have been using a pair of Sightron S3 roof prsim 8x42's. 8x seem to have better eye relief than 10X's do. Someone was blowing them out on ebay for 215 a pair which is 125 bucks under the lowest price I have seen. I am very happy with them.
Good luck with your new Minox glases.

[PABowhntr]

Dan,

I think you made a great choice. I have yet to try the HGs but I hope to remedy that when I go visit Doug one of these days. The Razors are an excellent bin but at the price you bought the HGs for I would be hard-pressed to argue.

I am itchin' to add an HG to my "favorite under-$1000" club. Currently the Razors and the Meostars are my top two but I cannot see how the HGs would not fall into the same category. One of these days.