Bino decision

UtahJimmy · May 24, 2016

In preparation for the upcoming season I'm looking to upgrade my binoculars. I was given a pair of Bausch and Lomb elite 10x42 binos a few years ago to help get me started. I've struggled mightily with them fogging up on me and I find them to be the current item that needs improvement. I was glassing deer this weekend at 200-400 yards and couldn't tell if they were does or bucks.

I've gone to sportsman's to check some out, just not yet at dusk. In the store my eyes can't tell the differences between the middle of the pack binos. I think I can convince the wife that $400-600 on glass will put more meat in the freezer, but springing for the swaros is out of the question currently.

I've read through older posts and I believe I've narrowed down my size to 10x42 as I hunt in the West, but I'd like some feedback on which route I should go!

Thanks!

GLEDEASY · May 25, 2016

I think I would call camera land ny and get their opinion for that range and see what sales they have.

Right now I think they had a deal of the day for zen ray prime HD for around $450 i think.

I made my jump to the swaros, but prior I had some minox hd's that I got for about $500 from cameralandny. I felt like they were a great pair of bino's for the price. Wish I still had them.

We've gotten Zeiss Terra and steiner predator extreme as well that seemed like decent bino's for the price.

However, there is a reason swaros are at the top. It's not only the glass but also the overall feel and craftsmanship.

Good luck.

BIGJOHNT · May 25, 2016

I like Gled bought my Leica's from Camera land. But Vortex might be another option for you. They have a few models that may be in your price range.

rangerdye · May 26, 2016

LAST EDITED ON May-26-16 AT 08:30AM (MST)[p]The Viper HDs are pretty good in that price range, but I'd watch ebay and some other forums for a gently used set of Cabelas Euro/Meopta HD series. You might have to stretch your budget a bit, but it'll be worth it. I've seen the Meopta version sell for less than $700 multiple times on ebay. If you can't get the HD versions in your price range, the non-HD are probably still better than the Vipers. You can usually find those for under $500.

I went from the Razor HD to the Meopta HD and felt it was a noticeable improvement. Added a little weight, but I felt it was worth it.

Also, it'll depend on what terrain you're going to be hunting, but if you're going to be using a spotter as well, I might consider dropping either mag or objective size and look at an 8x30/32 or even the 10x32 to team with the spotter.

UtahJimmy · May 26, 2016

Thanks ranger!

I don't own a spotter yet, I think that's where I'll spend the most money but that will be a purchase I'm going to make next year.

Most of my time is spent on ridges glassing across canyons which I why I think I'll stick with the 10x42's.

I'll check the bargain cave next time I'm at Cabela's for their Euros. I'm assuming they are just private labeled Meoptas?

rangerdye · May 26, 2016

Yes, the Euros are the Meoptas rebranded. Back when I was looking, I called Cabelas CS about purchasing a used private sale set of Euros to check what warranty they carry. I was kind of surprised to learn the warranty is not transferable. Don't know if/how they'd verify original purchaser, but I decided the Meopta warranty was better and went with the Meostar B1 HD. Had to send them in for cleaning right when I got them and their CS was excellent.

pushin_30 · May 29, 2016

like always with any optics get the BEST you can AFFORD!!
you get what you pay for.

UtahJimmy · May 30, 2016

>like always with any optics get
>the BEST you can AFFORD!!
>
>you get what you pay for.
>

What would you say is the BEST if you could afford:
$400...
$600...
$800...
$1,000...???

Thanks!

Phantom Hunter · May 31, 2016

LAST EDITED ON May-31-16 AT 06:11AM (MST)[p]I went to the nearest Cabela's and looked through 4 different 10x42 binos in the $400-800 range. Clerk let me take two outside to compare. The Nikon's and the Leupold were the clearest inside and fit me the best. Outside the Nikon's edged out the Leupold's by a very slight margin, mostly in depth of field. I am happy with them.

pushin_30 · May 31, 2016

I started out with a pair of WindRiver Leupold 10by50's I think i pd around 500 for they were great glass. Saved my $ for a few more years and then sold them and bought a pair of Leica geovids for 1300 new when they went on closeout after the HD version came out. Mainly because of having the range finder and bino all in one.

One of my hunting buddies has the Vortex Viper HD 10 by 50s and loves them. I think they are great glass and have a great warranty as well. 600-700 range??

Another one uses the zeiss conquest 10 by 42's they are great glass as well. He went with a demo unit from cameraland and saved some $

UtahJimmy · Jun 1, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Jun-01-16 AT 11:45AM (MST)[p]Talked with cameraland today and they recommended the Minox BL 10x44 HD. Said the glass is German and priced @420 for open box unit.

Anyone have experience with Minox optics?

shortmag · Jun 2, 2016

Take a look at the Nikon Monarch 7 glass. One can do worse.

UtahJimmy · Jun 28, 2016

Well the wife ended up making the decision for me. Totally pulled a fast one on me and got me the Vipers for our anniversary! I've had them out twice so far and am very pleased thus far! Thanks for the input guys!

Foreman4x4 · Aug 6, 2016

In a couple of years you'll be looking to upgrade again. Buy once, cry once.

Stubaby · Aug 14, 2016

+1 Foreman. I see so many guys driving $40,000 trucks with inferior glass.

Don't tell me it's a "can't afford" thing. Sell any and everything you have in the garage and get swaros to begin with.

People always say how pleased they are.....till they look through the good stuff at low light in real hunting conditions.

I went from monarchs to vipers to euro hds to slcs and I can't believe I took 10 years to get there. Hunting is so much more enjoyable when you can actually "see what you've been missing".

I'm serious. Go mow lawns, go roof a house on the side, go sell some guns, do something. Get the best and be done.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

pushin_30 · Aug 15, 2016

Well said stubaby!!!

Antelopequest270 · Aug 15, 2016

In the last 8-10 years I have owned the binoculars from the following manufactures:

Zen Ray
Leupold
Nikon
Burris
Meopta
Vortex
Bushnell....

AND Leica...I can say without any doubt, the single best purchase I have ever made for hunting are my current Leica Geovid HD 10X42 Binos and its not even close. I have probably spent up to $3-4k playing the binocular game before I realized what I had been missing when I got my leicas. I don't plan to part wit these for a VERY LONG TIME.

Weiserbucks · Aug 15, 2016

I guess I'm one of the few that are happy with my used vortex vipers . They work fine , until I pull out the Swarovski spotter .

UtahJimmy · Aug 16, 2016

So far the vipers have been a major upgrade for me. I'm sure I'll say the same thing when I upgrade again, but until then I'll enjoy these.

I've been borrowing a friends razor 20-60x85 this season and I can tell you without a doubt I do plan on spending the money once on a swaro spotter. As nice as it has been, the razor has some clarity issues and strains the crap out of my eye. Even with the huge objective it struggles to grab that last light.

Thanks for the input fellas, and good luck to everyone this fall!

tvbrewster · Aug 30, 2016

Get on ebay and find a pair of used Swarovski binoculars. Their warranty is second to none and transferable. Shop the listings and you will find a great deal. Once you receive them send them to:

SONA (Swarovski Optik North Ameriaca)
2 Slater Rd.
Cranston, RI 02920
Tele: 800-426-3089

For a free tune up. Call first and get a RMA number.

Do it now and get it done. Hell I've sent a pair in for a refresh and they replaced them with a brand new pair.