Best choice out of these?
 

Looking for around 10 x 42. In the shape, model type that these are. not looking for compact, just medium to regular sized

Looking at:

Bushnell
Simmons
Vanguard
Alpen
Konus

I was at Gander mountian the other day and they had Bushnell Explorer on sale and I glasses through the one they had on display and loved it but they were all sold out.

Never had any vanguard, alpen, or konus before. how do they compare to bushnell and simmons?

How do the permafocus ones compare? pros cons?

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell...rs-141042.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/vanguard...inoculars.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/alpen-ma...ulars-259.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/simmons-...ar-899142.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/konus-10...ular-2315.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell...t-2003-wp.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell...us-171043.html

None of the above....if you plan to use them for some serious glassing. I have a pair of these in 8x42 and they have held up really well and do not cause any eye strain.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62168

I agree with VAhuntr. While I realize everyone has a budget, and I respect that for sure. But I am here to tell you I have gone the route of inexpensive binos .... and in the long run wasted my $$$. If you can wait, and save up - beg - or borrow .... think in the $300+ range. Bushnell's top of the line are good binos.

Everybody has their favorite. And many, many established manufacturers make great stuff. But none of the good stuff comes cheap.

I think that a very good value out there right now is the Pentax DCF WP II model. For about $325-$350 you will get surprisingly good glass and very good performance.

If you are going to do a lot of long range glassing, I suggest that you got straight to the top of the line stuff ... Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica, etc. Nikon's top of the line model competes extremely well with these also at substantially less cost. All of these are these are represent the best that the industry has to off right now.

Thanks guys. Im not really looking into any serious glassing. I Hunt Northern Michigan. 300 yards tops. usually only 100-150 yards.

If I was in Wy. or Montana or something. I'd defently head straight for the top.

But I will probably look into those minox thanks Vahuntr

"How do the permafocus ones compare? pros cons?"

I have an old set (very good quality) of this type of binoculars that I used quite a bit. I don't use them much anymore, as these seem work best for young eyes. They are not a very good choice in seeing through heavy brush due to the lack of easily changing focus issue, but they are extremely fast to use in normal situations.

Take a look at the Bushnell Legend HD's. Good friend of mine really likes his. I think these can be had for about $250.

Take a look at Burris binoculars.

Second choice would be Pentax.

I would get 10 x 50 instead of 10 x 42.

Try these, I don't think you will be disappointed.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/sigbino.html

Good luck.

Nate:

I don't believe it makes any difference whether you are glassing at 300 yards or 20 yards (sometimes like I do trying to pick that groundpig out of the background of a brush pile), you still need good quality optics to keep from straining your eyes.

You are probably not going to get a fairly decent pair of binoculars for less than say $400 to $500.

I suggest sticking with 8X and 40(ish) mm objectives for your price range. Fact is when you increase the power the more noticable the inperfections in the glass/coatings or image. Larger then 43 mm objectives are harder to hold steady, they are also bulky and simply aren't needed for hunting/carry bins IMO.

As too which one let your eyes do the talking. Just make sure to view outside the store lights. I also suggest comparing under both good and fading light. it may take a few trips but its worth the time then being disaapointed in the field.

Another vote for the Minox here, I bought a pair from cameralandny last winter and they are every bit as good as either of my Leapold Wind River and Acadia bino's and the price of $150.00 http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62026 The open box special is only $119.00.