Binoculars
 

What's good? I've owned many different brands, some have been junk and some have been ok. I want something good, I'm sick of squinting through my binoculars to see out 300 to 400 yards. I don't want them to be big and blocky either If I can help It. If not, I guess I'll have to deal with It then.

Lets hear It!! Thanks!!

RE: Binoculars
 

vortex. not extremely expensive and quality is excellent, IMO.

RE: Binoculars
 

Let us know where you're going to be using them, and your budget so we can better qualify to assist you in making an intelligent choice. Basically you get what you pay for so expect to spend more than you originally thought in order to get good quality optics. Bigcountry is (1 of) the resident optic experts so maybe he'll see this thread.

RE: Binoculars
 

Ditto!, i just recently purchased the Diamondback 10x42's and couldn't be happier. I would put them up against binos costing twice as much. Great glass, good price, excellent optics!

RE: Binoculars
 

I tend to agree with all of the above comments. Price and specific usage both play a huge part in what is recommneded. However, I have owned various Vortex products and do agree that they offer better than average performance at any given price point...Diamondback, Fury, Viper, Razor...

RE: Binoculars
 

For a budget binocular that Ive been impressed with..........and idk if they make them anymore, but I know they have something similar......Nikon Buckmaster 10x42....best investment Ive made

RE: Binoculars
 

I like my Nikon Monarch 8X42's. Pretty small, lite, and awesome viewing.

RE: Binoculars
 

Pentax DCF SP 10x43

best value IMO.

RE: Binoculars
 

Ditto Pentax DCF SP 8x43 or 10x43. Look, I am big fan of high end glass and have used Swarovski binos for years. This manufacturer makes excellent glass, but very expensive.

My daughter wanted to give her husband a bino better than the ones he had. After much research, she bought the Pentax DCF SP 10x43's. They came in about a week ago. In aside by side, totally non-scientific testing off my back deck, these Pentax binoculars are truly impressive. Crisp, clear, great contrast and took me right to dark:30. At about 40% the $$$ layout compared to the Swarovski's, I'd rate them a super buy. Should be able to get these for about $550 +/-. Try Bear Basin Outfitters. I've used them several times of optics with excellent results.

Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

My DCF-SPs are8X43 and I absolutely will not go hunting without them. I watched deer in the dark late Monday afternoon as my 12-year old son took a nice 6-pointer. You can get the 8X43 for less than $500.00 bucks online. I prefer 8X binos over 10X for general purpose use for the following reasons:

Brighter
Steadier (much less shake - I can't hold a 10X glass still for very long)
Wider field of view


If you are on a tighter budget then the Vortex Diamondbacks are simply outstanding at that price point ($200.00). Doug at camralandny.com has some demo models for around $150.00. I bought my son the 8X42 Diamondbacks last year for Christmas and I am amazed by the quality of this bino. It carries the same VIP lifetime warranty that all their other higher-priced binos have. The biggest difference between his glass and mine is that the Pentax are a bit more crisp, has more of the field of view in complete focus compared to the Diamondbacks, and the focus wheel is more precise. For around 200 bucks it is a value that can't be beat.

I can also recommend the Nikon Monarchs and would rank them very similar to the Diamondbacks.

RE: Binoculars
 

if you have a carson dealer nere you give them a try you will be very suprised very clear and very ajustable

RE: Binoculars
 

I don't want to spend anymore then 250.00 bucks but If I have to spend more to get good quality binocs I'll do It. There's nothing worse then not seeing clearly, It's frustrating!!

RE: Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

What exactly do the numbers mean? (Ex-8x43) I can't remember.[8D] Whats the difference between an 8x and a 10x?

Thanks everyone!!

RE: Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

It's quite simple. 8X42 is an 8 power (8X magnification) with a 42mm objective lens. The larger the objective lens the greater the light gathering ability of the bino, all other things remaining equal.

As to your second question, well, an 8X binocular magnifies the image 8X and a 10X bino magnifies the image 10 times.

A deer viewed at 500 yards with a 10X bino will appear to be 50 yards away. That same deer viewed at 500 yards with an 8X bino will appear to be 62.5 yards away.

RE: Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

That makes sense. Thank you!

Does the 10x come In a smaller size or are they the bigger size binocs?

Zies?
 

What about Zies? Are they any good?

RE: Zies?
 

I have the Leupold Cascades in 8X42. I don't think I paid more than $300 for them and I'm very happy with them. Do a search. Someone on here that works with optics really explained the numbers and I believe the 8X42 were the way to go.

RE: Zies?
 

Well they are a little beyond $250, but my Brunton Epoch's have never left me wishing I had better.

RE: Zies?
 

That is like asking is a Mercedes or BMW any good. Is that a serious question or are you just yanking our chain?

Zeiss is considered one of the "Big 3" optics manufacturers in the world along with Swarovski and Leica.

I think it is fair to say that the Carl Zeiss company is the premier optics company in the world. They are responsible for developing many of the technological advances achieved in optics in the past 150 years. Not just sport optics, but also microscopes, camara lenses, telescopes, eyeglasses, surgical microscopes, etc, etc, etc.

So to answer your original question, yes, Zeiss bionculars are good.

RE: Zies?
 

Why the heck am I asking questions mouthcaller?? Cause I want answers!!;) If I did know the answers I sure as heck wouldn't be asking.

I figured they were good being my dad bought one of there products years ago and said he liked them then. I didn't know If they still were good so I thought I'd ask.

Thank you.

RE: Zies?
 

Unless you happen upon a complete idiot, you won't get anything made by Zeiss for $250. They are about as good as you can buy.

RE: Zies?
 

Actually, the Zeiss Diafun 8x30s sold for about $300. I believe they are discontinued now but you may be able to find them for around $250.

RE: Zies?
 

Thanks guys. I think I might spend the extra cash and get one made by Zies.

RE: Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

I love these http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...539&hasJS=true

they work great, I have glasses for hours and no problems

RE: Another vote for the Pentax DCF-SPs
 

Here ya go:

www.swfa.com/pc-8911-275-zeiss-8x42-victory-fl-binocular.aspx

RE: Binoculars
 

Optics should be considered a once in a lifetime purchase. Spend as absolutely as much as you can. This truly is a case of "you get what you pay for". I can also tell you that NOTHING compares to Swarovski EL's...... simply awesome!

RE: Binoculars
 

Il Cornfed- Quoted for truth! I CANNOT agree more!!!!!