binoculars

J

jbonshooter

Guest
Really looking for a good pair for many quality years of hunting. What kinds shud i be looking for for long range scouting? Any recommendations?
Thanks
 
swarovski 10x42 slc or el's

great post/pic, thanks for sharing

JB
494742f95c53a850.jpg
 
I agree the Swarovski's are really hard to beat, BUT if you get a minute check out the Vortex Viper 10x42 I just bought a pair and they sure are SWEET and cost a whole lot less I can't see any difference between the 2 pairs except the Swarovskis gather just a tiny bit more light at night, and I mean tiny. I would save yourself some money and go Vortex unless you have the $$$ to spend!
 
I AM A FAN OF BOTH THE SWAROVSKI AND VORTEX VIPER YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH EITHER ONE. THE PRICE WILL LEAN YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, SWAROVSKI'S NEARLY TRIPLE THE COST OF THE VORTEX.. I ALSO HAVE A VORTEX SCOPE ON MY RIFLE AND I AM VERY IMPRESSED I THINK THAT VORTEX HAS MANY GOOD THINGS GOING FOR THEM.
 
Ya Ya if you want to spend high dollar go with those, if you want a great pair of optics at a great price check out Alpen. Not much difference in clairity at a huge savings. Buy two pair for less than the price of one.
 
yeah yeah....you can pay now or you can pay later....because if you're serious it will happen.


great post/pic, thanks for sharing

JB
494742f95c53a850.jpg
 
Yep, I wish I would have just gotten my Swaro's 15-20 years ago instead of wasting my money on cheaper crapy ones every 3 years...I finaly Bought a pair of 8.5x42 EL's about 5 years ago...Money well spent...

Besides the obvious weapon of choice I feel my swaro's are the most important tool I have for hunting...

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I have had my 10x42 el's for the last two hunting seasons now and don't regret the purchase at all.

+1 BuckSnort, I feel like they are one of my most important pieces of hunting gear, skimp on something else if you have to.


nnl.gif

GO HEELS!
 
I've got a pair of Leica binoculars that I love! That said, I've heard their customer service sucks so I'd probably go with Swarovski.
 
I use Nikon Monarchs 10 x 42 for my basic glassing then I have a Swarovski spotter for my long distance stuff. For the money the Nikons are tough to beat, $300 compared to $1500 for the Swaros. Plus if you are going to be looking long distance you will need a spotting scope regardless, so why not save some money on the binos, and spend more on the spotter? Anyone that has Swarovski binos is going to tell you they are the best, cause who wants to admit that their binos are no better than the el cheapos that you have?
 
>I use Nikon Monarchs 10 x
>42 for my basic glassing
>then I have a Swarovski
>spotter for my long distance
>stuff. For the money the
>Nikons are tough to beat,
>$300 compared to $1500 for
>the Swaros. Plus if you
>are going to be looking
>long distance you will need
>a spotting scope regardless, so
>why not save some money
>on the binos, and spend
>more on the spotter? Anyone
>that has Swarovski binos is
>going to tell you they
>are the best, cause who
>wants to admit that their
>binos are no better than
>the el cheapos that you
>have?


If that theory holds true, why drop the $$$ on a Swarovski spotter?....
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-11-09 AT 06:32PM (MST)[p]Also, having said that, I use my binos ten times more than a spotter, so if anything, I'd splurge on binos and buy a mediocre spotter, if I had to make that choice.

If there's one thing I could do over in my hunting career, it would be that I would've bought the best optics I could afford a long time ago. Used to be that I thought having lots of rifles was important, but looking back, I'd rather hunt with a $300.00 rifle and scope combo than a $300.00 pair of binos.
 
>I use Nikon Monarchs 10 x
>42 for my basic glassing
>then I have a Swarovski
>spotter for my long distance
>stuff. For the money the
>Nikons are tough to beat,
>$300 compared to $1500 for
>the Swaros. Plus if you
>are going to be looking
>long distance you will need
>a spotting scope regardless, so
>why not save some money
>on the binos, and spend
>more on the spotter? Anyone
>that has Swarovski binos is
>going to tell you they
>are the best, cause who
>wants to admit that their
>binos are no better than
>the el cheapos that you
>have?


....or the clowns that say the cheap crap is as good don't want to admit they can't afford decent glass.



great post/pic, thanks for sharing

JB
jb.jpg
 
Vortex Viper 10x42, i don't think i would pay over $500 for something made in China!
 
I'm with most everone here, except my Swaro's are 8 power and I love them. I was concerned that they wouldn't be powerful enough but they work great. The compactness and weight are perfect for me.
I use my Leopold compact 15-40 spotter if I need to get closer.
Tom
 
From what i'm seeing, several company's are producing way better glass for less money than what available not too many years ago. Many of the 2-$500 sets are certainly good enough for all but the most discriminating, hardest, and elitist of users. The idea toward more expensive glass as i see it, is quality and, more importantly, longevity.

A few years ago i proudly wanted my hunting partner to compare my new $300. glass with his veteran swaro set. He looked thru mine, then looked thru his, "yeah, but i'll still be using my same set in 10-15 years."

Time will tell just how long his now 12 year old set will continue to provide what he requires from his glass. But mine...That brand new/old set of mine has since had to be replaced! Joey
 
Hey D13er, maybe if I had your kind of money I would go out and buy a brand new pair of Swaros for $1500, on top of the $1300 (I got a deal) I spent on my Swaro spotter I'd be pushing $3000, just for optics! That's alot of cash in my book. Having looked through some Swarovski binos, they are not 5 times as good as my $300 Nikons. You wanna make fun, go ahead, I personally don't believe the Swaros are worth the money. I believe more guys like the Swaros because it's a status symbol, and like I said before, nobody wants to admit their expensive binos aren't 5 times better than someones el cheapos. But if someone wants to have 'em, more power to 'em.
 
>Hey D13er, maybe if I had
>your kind of money I
>would go out and buy
>a brand new pair of
>Swaros for $1500, on top
>of the $1300 (I got
>a deal) I spent on
>my Swaro spotter I'd be
>pushing $3000, just for optics!
>That's alot of cash in
>my book. Having looked through
>some Swarovski binos, they are
>not 5 times as good
>as my $300 Nikons. You
>wanna make fun, go ahead,
>I personally don't believe the
>Swaros are worth the money.
>I believe more guys like
>the Swaros because it's a
>status symbol, and like I
>said before, nobody wants to
>admit their expensive binos aren't
>5 times better than someones
>el cheapos. But if someone
>wants to have 'em, more
>power to 'em.

I would never have said what I said if you hadn't flapped your smart gums.


great post/pic, thanks for sharing

JB
jb.jpg
 
Yep, $2k amortized over 10 years only comes out to $200.00 a year, which is a cheap price to pay for known quality, IMHO.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-11-09 AT 11:44PM (MST)[p]I have a pair of Vortex Razors, and they are great. And the warente is really good as well, just send them in and they will fix them.

I have also had some Alpens in the past, They lasted about 4 years and then broke, I payed $250.00 for them so if you want to break it down I paid $62.50 a year for them, I think I can send them in and get them fixed but I'm not sure, I will try.

The Razors are a better product than my old Alpens, I paid about $600.00 For them and love them.

If you have the money for the Swaros then get them, I didnt and am happy with what I have.



Jake H. MM Member since 1999.
458738e374dfcb10.jpg
 
I keep meaning to buy the swarovskis......But until I do, My Pentax DCF has shown me a ton of game. Likewise the Wind Rivers I had before that..........The Swarovskis are better though, I wont even try to argue that. Buy the best you can possibly afford.
 
They say a guy will buy three stages of bino's before he realizes that he should of bought the best to begin with. How many of you have done this? $150 to $300 to $700 and then oh i guess i better buy the swaro's. Add it up!! Buy the best and dont look back, never have to buy another pair. Bonus: you will find more game guaranteed!!!!
 
I have had great luck with my 12x42 Brunton Eternas, even left them on the bumper of my truck once and backed over them and they're still clear. With that said I can tell a difference between the Brunton Eternas and the Brunton Epochs, Swaro's, Leica, etc but I can't justify spending an extra grand for that difference.
 
What a joke to put down hunters on how much they are spending on glass. The fact is i can spot just as good with my alpen 10x42s as anyone with swaros. They are just a status symbol like someone said. Money cant buy skill.
 
I have a pair of 10x42 Zeiss that my dad bought me as a graduation present when I got my undergrad degree in 1994, definitely been a great pair of binocs. I don't know how long these will last, I mean, what happens to a pair of binocs? Just curious, the guys looking at say nikon monarchs, unless you drop them and break the glass or something, what is going to happen? I never thought about longevity with binocs.

I always look at Swaro's, but I am sure if I bought a $1500 pair of Swaros, I would leave them on a log or something, I am sure of it. Too scared.
 
whatever you do don't get Nikon. I have a pair that is supposed to be one of their higher end models and im getting ready to warranty them for the second time, for the same problem. I have heard great things about Vortex and have one of their spotting scopes and love it. Think ill be getting a pair of their binos.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-09 AT 08:59PM (MST)[p]In my opinion, there are several brands in the $300-500 range that are as good as top of the line binoculars were 8-10 years ago. that says they are good enough for me. I have a pair of 15 year old Leicas that are not as good as the Nikons my brother has or the Pentax I have.

Sure there are nuances that the extra $1000 will buy you today, but they are not worth it to me. If money was not object though........

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
if I ever left my 10x42 swaro EL's on a log, I'd buy the 10x42 vipers and never look back. You have been given a lot of good advice on this thread. Lecia also makes a great bino but I'm not impressed with their warranty. If you have the cash buy the swaro's other wise the vipers are the best bang for your buck.

Mike
 
Bottom Line........buy the best glass you can afford to buy. It's as simple as that. If you can afford the swaro's then buy them. If you cant, then go with what you can afford. There is no question that swaro has a top end glass with top end customer service. The down side is they are $1800 BUT they will last forever. If that is out of your price range then as has been mentioned, there are several other less expensive binos that you would be happy with as well.

Having said that, depending on your hunting style you may not need to spend the big $$$. If you do a lot of still hunting and move around the mountain a fair amount then a $300 to $500 pair of binos may be all you need. If you do a lot of spot and stalk hunting and spend a lot of time behind your binos glassing for game then I would strongly recommend spending as much as you can reasonably afford and get a top quality glass. Best of luck

Fever
 
I purchased my first set of "good" binos about 13 years ago. I bought Leupold Wind Rivers and I think I paid around $250 for them. The last year and a half or so I'd been in the market for new binos. I am not one to spend a ton of money so my budget was no more than $400. I bought the Leupold Cascade 10x42 and I love them. If you'll note, my first pair of Leupolds lasted 13 years. I think that was money well spent. If I had more money to spend would I have bought $1000 glass? Who knows?

Steve
 
I have had a pair of Nikon's that have been great for me the past 4 years, lately for some reason I just can't get them to focus, so I used my brothers Swaro 10x42 el's on Muley hunt to Colorado. I honestly can not believe how GREAT they are! I just wish I could justify to myself to buy a pair. I think I will be looking into a pair of the new Vortex kaibabs, or try to find a smoking deal on some uses Swaros. They truly were a joy to glass with. Just my opinion. Chad
 
"yeah yeah....you can pay now or you can pay later....because if you're serious it will happen."

Isn't that the truth! I had a Swaro Spotting Scope and didn't use it that much. So, like an idiot went and sold it. Finally
drew and antelope tag and decided to get another spotting scope.

I thought, the Swarovski was not that much better. So I decided that I was going to save some $$$$ and buy a Nikon
scope, tripod and case.

The tripod and mount wasn't very good. Found a decent looking goat from a ways off (in the middle of the day) and it was blurry. Not bad, but still BLURRY.

Thats what I get for being cheap. Does anyone want to buy a
Nikon spotting scope? I have only used it a few times. Think of all the money you will save.

Maybe I should consult D13er more often. He told me to go with a Duramax and I bought a Ford. Biggest piece of crap I have ever owned lol.......
 
i haven't heard anybody talk about Steiner binoc's.
why is that????

my wife bought me a pair of steiner predator 10x42 for christmas
but they are still on backorder.

so what does everybody have to say about them???

THE MUTTMAN
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-13-09 AT 10:24PM (MST)[p]If you want your optics to last for 20 years go with Swarovski or an equal quality glass.
The warranty is the best and they are just awesome......It stings for awhile after the intitial purchase, but its worth it in the long run. If you asked me 10 years ago if I would spend $4,500.00 on binos and a spotter I would have asked you if your were smokin crack! But with age comes knowledge, at least I think so, the wife may have another opinion..........

Just my 2 cents.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-13-09 AT 10:24PM (MST)[p]I use swarovski 8x30 ($600)Bargain Cave Cabelas 10x42 slc($930)E-Bay last week, 15x56 ($1180)Bargain cave Basspro Springfield Mo. I wish I would of saved the several hundred dollars I spent on Bushell, Steiners, Pentax,Docters and Windrivers binos I have brought over the years.
I could of own a Swarovski spotting scope by now. Save and make the 1st one count.


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
 
>i haven't heard anybody talk about
>Steiner binoc's.
>why is that????
>
>my wife bought me a pair
>of steiner predator 10x42 for
>christmas
>but they are still on backorder.
>
>
>so what does everybody have to
>say about them???
>
>THE MUTTMAN

You want the truth?....
 
What I have found with hunting glass is up to the $300-$500 range you pretty much get a dollars worth of quality for a dollar spent. After that the quality for each dollar spent starts to drop. That being said don't let anyone tell you that Nikon monarchs are just as good as Swaros or Leica. That is just BS. I can't afford the best glass so I use 12X42 Nikon monarchs. They work well for antelope and mule deer and they are a great value for what they cost but I would trade them in a heart beat for a pair of Swaros or Leicas if I could afford them! I have looked through both the top glass and mine side by side and THERE is a noticeable difference. If you spend a lot of time glassing the better the glass the easier on the eyes.
 
If you read all these posts there is alot of good advice. I went through the real cheepos for years. I was just learning how to hunt and hiked alot probably not seeing any of the really big bucks that were smarter than me. As time went on I started learning that looking from afar was much more productive than covering ground. I got a pair of Doctor 15X60 and a Swarovski 8X32 And a spotting scope. The Doctors were only good on the tripod. Now I use the Leica 10+15 Duovid which is perfect for me. I have the 15 power for the tripod and the 10 for handholding quick glassing. If you are not using 15 power or more binocs on the tripod for western open country you are not seeing all that you could. So it really depends on how one hunts and how serious you are about finding the best animal in the area you are hunting and of course budget.
 
MR. Foreman4x4

ya i want the truth, i think i can handle it??

let me have it

"THE MUTTMAN"
 
For "long range scouting" Swarovski 15 x 56's on a good solid tripod with a good pan head is just about the only way to go IMO. I have 10x42 SLC's that are great binos but just don't do near the job of my 15x56's for long range scouting. Each power has it's purpose. Also, as previously said, you get what you pay for. I've had at least 10 pairs of lesser quality binos before I purchased my Swarovski's. I've now stopped buying binos. If you haven't tried a side by side in the field under actual hunting conditions comparison with any quality binos in the 8, 9 or 10 power catagory against the 15x56 Swaro's you don't know what your missing. And, if you did and can't see the difference, your blind.
 
Buy the best you can afford, I bought a pair of 10X42 DCF Pentax. With the newer technology in glass it has made a difference in brightness and color clarity for my eyes. Compared to the Swaro EL's, not quite as good in clarity, but a little better in brightness. If I had lots of money I might go with the swaro's over anything else. Right now Sportsman has a smoking deal on their Pentax DCF's, on close out.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-09 AT 04:50AM (MST)[p]I can admit that I can't afford Swaros, but you can't deny that my Vortex are great glass either. Also their warranty is second to none, I'll have new or like new binos for the rest of my life. Maybe not the best analogy but, you gonna drive a Ford or Chevy pickup or a Lincoln Navigator into your huntin' spot. Why knock guys cause they choose glass that gets the job done just as well as the expensive stuff?
 
My next pair will be the Swarovski EL's. Looked through my buddies Swar. against my Leupold's. With the Leupolds, I could tell he was a buck, with the Swarovski's, he was a 4x4....very impressed
 
Good optics are a necessity, but the key is a tripod.

I have swaro 10X42 and 15X56. I almost always use my 10's on a tripod and go to the 15 after I find something. Better field of view with the 10's.

Without a tripod you will find a fraction of the animals you would find while using a tripod. Even with cheaper optics.

Tripod lets you get comfortable and pick things apart.

Is that ethical?
 
I have never met anyone with high quality glass (Swarovski,Zeiss,Leica) who have told me that they regret
spending the money. I finally went and bought the swaro binos and spotting scope and other than the sharp pain I felt when I handed over the cash, I have never had a moment of second thoughts.

Save a bit now and buy the best you can afford, it makes your time in the field much more rewarding.
 
I've read some good advise, from all of you.
For me, I saved 2 years to buy my first set of 15X60
Zeiss. Since then I've never questioned good bino's.
Look thru your bono's on a good tri-pod all day and a cheap set will pull your eyes out of there socket and your head will feel
like it want's to burst. I agree with swarovski as my current choice. 8x50, I'm old and my hands shake, and 15x56 for medium
distance, and Dr's for my long eye's. Remember, good bono's, solid tripod, and I use a thermarest chair kit to sit and lean against. IT WORK'S
Steve C.
 
If you cannot afford the Swarovski then put them on lay-away. In Ely, Nevada there is a sporting goods store that will let you pay on them forever as long as you pay something on them every month and as long as you don't quit paying. I bought all of my Swaro optics this way and it didn't hurt so bad. Cabela's has a 3 month lay-away plan as well as many other places. I think the stores name in Ely is "Outdoor World" and the store owners name is Jason Bath. Its been several years since I've been there but he probably will work the same deal for anybody.
Everybody compares their optics to Swarovski and there is a reason for it. I used to couldn't see a whole lot of difference between Swaro and the cheaper binos but after using swaro's for about 4 years I can't hardly stand to look through anything else. My eyes are now trained to look through quality and anything less sticks out like a sore thumb.
I admit that I admire Vortexes advertising and warranty and I actually owne their small spotting scope as a back up. And several other optic companies have impressive glass that are as good of quality as swaro. So try them all out and pick what you like.
As said above, put any binocular on a tripod and you will definitely find more game. fatrooster.
 
I couldnt afford the Swaros, Lieca's etc I had to go with Burris Signature series 10X50's and love them. I havent had a problem with them even though I have only had them for 6 or so years now. Since I am just a poor boy in NM anybody want to donate me some Swaro's?
 
my only comment here is, have you ever heard of someone that has bought swarovski binos and said "I wish I had not spent the money and bought cheaper binos"
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-23-09 AT 09:37AM (MST)[p]I have purchased many pairs of binos over the years and currently own swarovski 10x42 ELs, 15x56 SLC, 20 year old Zeiss 10x40's, 15x60 Doctor Optic, and currently use Leica 8x42 with the built in range finder. If you are a serious hunter and especially if you do much bowhunting, to me it is very handy to have eliminated one tool from my belt(range finder), and I find myself always using the leicas with the built in range finder.If you dont have a new top of the line range finder and new glass you would be dollars ahead in the long run to save up and purchase a set. I hate to think of what I spent on inferior glass and subpar range finders over the years. I have owned at least 3 different range finders and some worked ok at times and other times couldn't get a reading etc. Bottom line is Swaro and Leica have the best glass but you pay for it. I have had buyers remorse with many things in my life but never with top quality glass.
 
Best thing I have ever bought for hunting are my Leica Geovids with the range finder. I replaced a 25 year old pair of Leupolds, that are still great.
 
Swaro's are the best if you can afford them, I could not so i bought a pair of brunton eterna 12x42. Decent glass for what I paid $270. With the money i saved I went on three hunts and killed three pope&young deer. Now I might not have seen every deer out there with my cheaper glass but I saw enough to have an awesome time and kill three nice deer.
 
>Vortex Viper 10x42, i don't think
>i would pay over $500
>for something made in China!
>


The Vipers are made in Japan not China. Both the Vipers and the Razors are product of Japan. The next levels down are China made. Just didn't want that to make the difference if the information was not correct.

Firehawk
 
I got a pair of Swarovski 15x56's about 6 years ago and haven't felt bad at all about them as I have had to quit buying binos every 2 or 3 years so far. I don't really take as good of care of them as I should, but they are always right where I can grab them and use them. I have since picked up a Swaro spotting scope and there are very few that will compare in my opinion. I don't think these optics have allowed me to kill bigger animals, but it is sure nice to be able to see them when they are there! LOL...
Buy what you can afford, but you won't go wrong with Swaro's...
 
10x42 SLC Swarovski's with the tripod mount. Get yourself a nice study but lite tripod and you are good to go. Did not have the tripod adapter the first season I used mine and WOW! now that I have it I rarely take it off. Bino's on a tripod are the way to go. If I need to get a better look (due to distance) then my Nikon spotter comes out and goes on the same tripod.....


my .02


Matt
"Opportunity is missed by most people
because its dressed in overalls
and looks like work."
Thomas Edison
 

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