Questions about Binoculars
 

Okay guys, I'm looking at picking up a new set of Binoculars but I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for, or how much money I want to spend for that matter. My current $40 Bushnells just aren't cutting it anymore. Right now I'm looking at a set of Nikon Monarchs, which look like a pretty nice set of binos. I was just curious what everyone else is using and how they like them? What about cost? How much do you guys generally spend on binoculars? Some of them can get pretty expensive!

So fess up fellas, your wifes aren't on here watching so I want to know how much you REALLY spent on them. :D

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I guess i'm like you. I have a 40$ pair of Bushnells. My cousin has a $500 pair of Zeiss binoculars. I can't see a difference when looking through the two. I'm not against paying top dollar for things but I want to be able to tell a difference.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

My main pair of binos are a set of Nikon Egret II. They are nice, a little fuzzy towards the edge of the field of view. Not sure what they costs, they were a gift. My compact set is from Bushnell. They were regularly somehwere around 150$ but got them cheap, 60% off. They are really nice for a small set. Optics planet.com has some interesting deals and prices you may want to check out in your shopping.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I went through a couple pair of the less expensive Bushnells. They were great but when it come down to it, fogged up, got wet or broke....I didn't want to spend an absolute fortune but I wanted waterproof, quality at a reasonable price. I went with Brunton and carry a pair of 10X50's....love them.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I used to have the 50 dollar bushnells too until a couple weeks ago, when i ordered the Burris Landmark II...8x42 man i love um heck of alot clearer then the bushnell's and the best thing about them is there fog and waterproof (main reason i got them). I paid $125.00 for them and i think there worth every penny!

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I just purchased a pair of Leupold 8x42 Windriver Cascades. I spent just around $260 for them. Believe me I've owned the cheaper glasses and I think there is a good correlation between $ spent and quality of optics with probably the biggest gap being in the low end to the mid range prices. Eye relief, clarity and low light conditions sold me when I had the glasses side by side. The Cascades I purchased from Scheel's and they had glasses in all the price ranges. This allowed me to compare them all side by side. I will say this that when I put the Leupold's up against the Swarovski or other high end glasses the only difference I could see was that light gathering ability of the higher end glasses seemed to be slightly better. As far as eye relief and clarity it seemed negligible. I don't think you need to spend a fortune on the high end glasses but the more you can afford the happier you should be.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

HNIJustin, My folks live in Cary, Il. I grew up in Barrington and now hunt the elusive Ohio whitetails.

As far as binos go, I have tried them all! The advise on the Leupold Wind River series is very good. My 2 buddies have been to upper Canada and Nova Scotia in the last 2 years in some harsh conditions with their Wind River binos and they reported great performance. I have stepped up last year to the Swarovski 10x42 SLC models.
They are really expensive but I can tell a difference and everyone that looks through them can as well. For last light in the deer stand I have been able to see charactaristics
of specific bucks that are out of range for that evenings hunt. I was not able to see much of this with less expensive binos.

If you are considering spending the $$ for the best, I highly recommend the SLC model over the EL models. The ELs fit the hand a bit better but the glass is the same and they only weigh 10% less, not enough to justify an extra $400.

The SLC is around $1000-$1100. AND a good tip is to buy a PERSONAL ARTICLES insurance policy and put this type of investment on the policy. It will cover damage, loss and theft. See your Insurance agent for more details.

If you see a lot of hunting shows, you will notice a majority of successful guides have made the investment in Swarovski Binoculars.

I am not one to believe the more $ spent means a better product. I have been burned before. BUT, with rifle scopes and bioculars the extra cash is worth it.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I just bought a pair of Bushnell Scout binoculars 10x42 last week. $79.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods. MSRP $159.99. Very good pair of binoculars for the price IMO. I had been leaning towards the Leupold Wind River binos but I found the Bushnell on sale. They are waterproof/fog proof and have a FOV of 305' @ 1000 yards. 15mm eye relief and 4.2mm exit pupil. Weigh 28oz. Uses a center focus system and a BaK-4 prism system. Multi-coated lenses. Comes with lens caps and neck strap as well as carrying case. So far I've used them on 4 trips to the stand and I've had no problems with rain or fogging.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Justin,

I like your choice so far. :)

Last year, after prodding from several members here, and an admittance on my own part that I needed brighter, higher quality binoculars I began doing research on the different types of binoculars out there in the various price ranges. I wanted better quality than the sub-$100 bushnell, simmons, tasco models but couldn't afford $1500 Swarovski or even a $700 Pentax model.

I knew I wanted roof prism in either 10x42 or 8x42 as I tend to prefer that magnification versus objective diameter lens range and the overall streamlined design of roof prism binos (as compared to porro prism models). $300 sounded about right, give or take $50. In that price range there were plenty of binos to choose from. For me it came down to the Nikon Monarch ATBs, Wind River Cascade/Olympic models and the Bushnell Legend series. Several others were close in terms of price and features but these three appealed to me the most because of their field of view, overall length and overall weight.

After looking through all three at the local Cabelas I decided to go with the Nikons as they were the shortest and lightest 10x42s that I could find. Though the difference in brightness and clarity was minimal compared to the other two the overall dimensions is what really sold me. They are also waterproof and Nikon has a "No fault" policy on repairs.

I have used them extensively over the last year and have nothing bad to say about them. Their ability to make some areas appear brighter at dawn and dusk makes them invaluable to me in those conditions. I paid $299.99 at Cabelas last year for them.

If I were looking to spend a bit more then I would go the route of what Matt/PA uses. I believe they are one of the Pentax models that sells for between $600 and $700 most places. I forget which model designation they are...DCF or something similar. They are phase coated just like the Nikon Monarchs but reportedly have better glass. I cannot verify that as I have never looked through them but I do trust Matt's judgement.

Lastly, if money is not an issue then the Swarovski SLCs, Brunton Epoch, etc... would be what I would eventually consider.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

LOL

Keep in mind where I work. :D

I think $300 is more in my price range.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Do yourself and your wallet a favor and look at Alpen. I couldn't tell a difference between them and the Leupolds in the Cabela's store. I paid $109 for the Aplens, and the Leupolds were $249.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Justin,
Frank is right, I am using a pair of Pentax DCF-SP "Superior Performance" 8X43's and they are fantastic.
They're little pricey but still not up to the level of the Swaro's, and it'd take a machine and proof to show me that the $1000 glass is better. I can sit in my stand to the point where I can no longer see color, and everything grays together and when I put the glasses up things are still sharp and brighter than what my eye can do. They are very crisp and clear edge to edge with a very flat image.
(They also focus down to like 6ft if you want to do any pass the time bird watching on stand.;))
They have pretty much the same features as the Monarchs, Legends in that $300 range , Phase coated/corrected prisms, completely waterproof yadda yadda yadda........but they use a fancy hybrid aspherical lens system and supposedly better glass and coatings.
If you look around you can find them very reasonably in the $400+ish range (Ebay, Online Optics stores) If you buy them from Cabela's they'll set you back about $500-600
I just read a full review on them and the editors compared them right with the high end Euro glass, and called them a best buy in that price range.
It's the last pair of Binos that I'll ever need for whitetail hunting, and I do not "Want" for anything better.

All that said........I would not feel handicapped in the least with Frank's Nikon Monarchs or my other buddy Frank's Bushnell Legend. Both are bright clear and crisp.
I would not call either of those "settling" on a pair of binos they are high quality.

I would call my pair the next step up, and if you want to get technical the Euro stuff is the top rung although I can't see a difference VS. mine.

Another alternative if you can find a pair is the discontinued Pentax DCF-WP 8X42's that are outstanding and can be had for a similar price to the Monarchs.
Supposedly the new DCF HR-II is what replaced these but I'm not sure? (The old DCF HR's are not in the same league though so cross them off)

All of these mentioned should be in your wheelhouse for price range..........but I guess if you keep tripping over the plugs there in the office we'll be chipping in to buy you a new pair soon.;)

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

True...very true. With all these upgrades on bandwith and such I imagine you folks are just about broke. ;)

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I like my Bushnells (I have several pair - 8x, 10x, 12x and just got 16x). the only thing I don't like, as others have mentioned, is that they will fog up when I breath (under right circumstances).

Is there anything that can be put on them to stop this????

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

This might have been just dumb luck but I just bought a pair of Bushnell Banner 10x42
binos at Walmart for $31 bucks! They are waterproof, fogproof Bak-4 lenses, rubber armored. They were hanging with the cheaper line of Bushnells and packaging looked the same. The tag said inventory prep like it was closeout. Think it was a steal, might be worth a look at your local Walmart.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Check out them Alpen Bino's!

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Hey Justin, did you make a purchase and if so what did you decide on. After an afternoon in a pouring rain my $40 dollar bushnells are now more like water goggles! Guess I'll have to spend some cash too!

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I know it's not what you wanted to hear... but someone has to go along with Shhhhhh. I love my Swarovskis. YUP, they'll break the bank and the budget....BUT, there is no substitute for high quality glass. Anyone who looks through a lesser set of glass and then a set of high quality lenses(ie Swarovski, Zeiss, etc) and says they see no difference need new glasses or haven't looked through them at first or last light. There is no comparison.

Short of spending the family paycheck I'd look at several of the middle grade glasses others have mentioned, Wind River, Brunton etc. If you're a woods hunter get something in the 7 or 8 power with at least 42 mm objective lenses. I have 7x42s... they're a little better in low light than say a 10 power pair of the same size. When you decide, invest in a good "bino buddy" type carry harness that gets the weight off your neck and keeps the binos from flopping around.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I have the monarchs and I absolutely love them!!!! They are the easiest on your eyes in my opinion for the money and do well in low light I paid 200 for mine(8x40) new when nikon came out with new lines here about 2 years ago.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I have a pair of nikon reeltree 8x36 cost around $200. I hunt in the woods all the time . The 8x (eye mag) seems to be more steady in the woods than the 10x. I really like them.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I have been going through the same delima myself for the past couple of years. The local "big boys" around here have all gone to Steiners but I just didn't want to pay that kind of price for binoculars. I want waterproof and fogproof but not bank nreaking. I finally found some called Barskas. They utilize the BAK-4 lenses and they are as clear as the most expensive ones I've ever looked through. They are reasonable in cost and I love them.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I have a set of Cabela's 10 x 42 Alaskan Guide Series Binos. About $500 and worth every penny.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I did a lot of comparisons. I'v been to too many places and looked at too many different bino's. I ended up getting two(2) pair of the Alaskan Guide Binos from Cabela's. I purchased a 12X50 and then the smaller 10X28. They aren't the swaro's, and there is a difference, but that are 1,000 times better than my $70.00 tasco.

I will take all three elk hunting in about a week, and then I will have a real world comparison.

The one thing I know for sure, there is so much out there that the longer you look, the more confused you will become(JMO).

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I still haven't made up my mind what I want to do yet. My digital camera just bit the dust on Tuesday night, so I'm in the market for one of those too! The little lady at home certainly isn't too happy about the prospect of me spending a ton of money on a camera AND binos, especially after she found out how much I spent on my new bow setup this year. :D So I think for the time being I'm going to hold off on the binos and focus on the camera. I've been looking at a Nikon Coolpix 5400 for around $450-$500, so there goes by bino budget. [&:]

My biggest problem right now is that Todd let me look through a pair of his Swarovskis and now I think I'm hooked on getting a pair. The clarity and low-light quality was absolutley amazing. Unfortunately I'm gonna need to sell some vital organs, or win the lottery, to afford a set right now. ;) I plan on visiting the Cabela's in Prairie Du Chein, WI this weekend to check out more of a selection before I really make up my mind though.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Anyone else use or have compared the Burris 8x42 Landmark II binoculars? Looks like the best value vs quality. I'm in the market also, but would like to know other's opinions.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Justin,

You beat me to the punch, I was going to advise you not to look through the Swarovskis. Too late, now you've done it and you want them. The same thing happend to me. However, I could not spend that kind of cash, I just couldn't justify such a purchase.

So I picked up a pair from Nikon. The Travelite model with the zoom feature, which is nice to zoom in and judge a shooter. They do not compare to the Swarovkis in low light, but it's too dark to shoot anyway at those times. Wait 5 minutes and during legal shooting hours, they work great for under 200 dollars. Spend your money on something else, unless you plan on hunting out west in the mountains. Then maybe you can justify spending over a grand on a pair of binoculars, but for Whitetail hunting in the timber save your hard earned money.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Just purchased the 10X42 Monarchs and love them. Got them online at Ebay for 260.00.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Two comments. One, if you still are looking for some decent binos but don't want to spend the $300 for the Monarchs or similar models then the next step below that are the new Carson XM series binos. They are about the same size as most of the other 10x42/8x42 roof prism models and they are phase corrected just like the Nikons, Bushnell Legends, etc.. The reason I am suggesting them is because they are selling for right at $200 at Cabelas. They just started carrying them which is why I did not mention them earlier.

Which brings me to another point. I went back to Cabelas this week as I had some gift certificates to spend and some time to kill. I ended up back at the binocular counter (as I knew I would) and decided to give their selection the once over again. This time I decided I wanted something in the 30-33 mm objective range and an 8x magnification. I went with this because I was trying to look for a good compromise between a compact model and "full size" binoculars like the previously mentioned Monarchs, Legends, etc.. I ended up looking at a variety of models from Browning, Bushnell, Pentax, Burris, (and I even peeked through the Swaros);). After alot of deliberation and an opportunity to take them into some "dark places" to compare I ended up with the Pentax DCF-XPs in 8x33.

What really sold me on them was the brightness level. They were brighter than all the others save the Swaros and even then the difference was only noticeable in the darkest of conditions. I will have to provide some pics of them when I get home. They are an excellent compromise for those looking for full size binocular features in a more compact package.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Justin, did you buy anything yet?

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Well Justin, I like pretty much everybody here have gone through the same dilema. I looked at all the expensive stuff, the Leica's the Swarovski's etc. Ended up with a pair of Minox 8 x 32's. Gotta tell you, they are every bit as clear as my buddies 8 x 32 Leica's and for a fraction of the price. Anyway, take a look. I know I'm happy. I don't use my spotting scope any more. Just the Minox bino's.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

Justin,

Like Rick I am curious to what you ended up with. I ended up taking the Pentax back a few days after I posted my previous comments. The brightness levels were excellent but the clarity wasn't as good as what I was accustomed to. After further "testing" I ended up with a pair of Bushnell Legend series in 8x32 and I am entirely happy with them after a week of hunting. They are actually very handy in overall size and design. Brightness levels are comparable to the Monarchs but with a slightly different color "tone". The Monarchs tend to give me a bit of red/orange for an overall hue while the Legends seem more green/blue. Both are excellent in overall clarity with at least above average brightness levels.

The Mossy Oak camo covering looks nice too. ;)

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I just got off the phone ordering a pair of Burris Landmark ll's in 8x42. They will arrive too late for this weekends hunt and I will be going to the Carribian for a week at Thanksgiveing so it will be a few weeks before I can try them out.

RE: Questions about Binoculars
 

I didn't have time to read all the posts, so this may be irrelavent, but for the money, I spent 249.00 on a set of Leupold WINDRIVER 10x40's. I live and hunt in a rather wet and foggy region in Northern Idaho. The clarity and fog resistance of these binocs are pretty impressive for the money spent. I have had cheaper, hated them, tried out more expensive and didn't really see a difference from the windrivers. Best of luck

Troy