help picking between these two binocs...

[Greg / MO]

OK, I was in St. Louis this morning, so I stopped by the big Bass Pro Shops there and looked at the binoculars you guys had been suggesting...

It was a cinch to make up my mind between the 8x42's and the 10x's; Two Beards, you may be right about not needing the extra power, but I just don't feel I would be getting enough of my money's worth with the 8's... The 10's are so much more powerful, but at the same time, I don't feel as if they'll be overdoing it.

I looked through the Nikon Monarch ATB's and liked their light weight and clarity. (I know, they all look good through the store in the daytime.) Looking in the same price range, I found a pair of Leupold Wind River, I believe they're the Cascade series. $279 vs. $299 for the Nikons, and they're just as light. They also advertise that they're "in-line roof prism", while I'm not sure what the Nikons are.

Anybody got any advice/thoughts on these two? (I'm still going to go to our local K's Merchandise and look for those Minoltas, Rangeball, just to see how they compare.)

[Two Beards]

MQ1~
I don't think you could go wrong with either. I'm not
familiar with that particular model made by Leupold, however
I know they are a quality company, as is Nikon[:-]. Take
the advice you gather here, and from other sources, but
buy what you are most comfortable with.

I can understand you're decision to go with the 10x, it
does seem like you're getting 'more for your money'.
There are two things I notice between my 8 x 40's
and my 10 x 42's; 1)the field of view is wider with my
8x - something to consider when used in limited viewing
areas 2) light gathering at needed times, dawn and dusk,
is a tad better with the 8x. That being said, my 10x are great
when hunting a field edge or in open areas like out west.

The only thing I'd recommend you not buy is a pair
of compact binoculars[:'(], the ones I've tried are worthless
in low light and cause much eye strain when compared
to full size.

Let us know what you decide on, and enjoy.

TB

[Two Beards]

A couple things to add on the low light. I don't know
the technical terms when it comes to glasses, but one
thing I've always remembered is when it comes to
low light, it is best to use one where the 2nd number
is at least 5 times what the 1st number is; ex. 7 x 42,
8 x 40, 10 x 50....these models let in the most light.
A lot of hunters shy away from these because they
tend to be on the heavy side, that's one of the reasons
so many buy compacts, though weight, is the only
advantage they offer.

The other thing to consider, there is no possible way
you can tell which binocular is best in low light by trying
them in a store. Even cheap glasses look "bright" when
used in well lit areas. Decide what you plan to use them
for, then decide what power you need to get. If the
'higher the power = the better the binocular' we would
all be using 15x binoculars mounted on tripods[&:].

Well, after all that, hope some of this helps with your
decision in picking out the right pair of glasses[8D].

Best of Luck
TB

[Jerry/Pa]

I don't know about the Wind River but Nikon up graded the Monachs a couple years ago. Before I bought my Monachs I compared them to Swarovski's,Leica and Pentex. For the difference in price I couldn't see that much of a difference in Light gathering or clarity. There is a slight difference but not $700 worth. For $300 you get a lot of glass. Jerry