Well after my elk hunt we spent a day in the unit we want to antelope hunt looking over bucks. Seen some dandies but learned real quick that I need to update glass to hunt out west. My buddy and I had 3 sets of Nikon binos with us, and a Leupold compact spotting scope. The binos all sucked. We could make out the antelope and which ones were bucks and does. But we just couldn't get a crisp clear picture of the animals. I have been researching binos and I'm still lost on what to get. What power binos do I need out west and whats some good mid range models? I can't spend $2K on binos yet but could do $400 or $500. So I am asking you experts what I need to look at. Thank you for any help
Help I need new binos
- Thread starter sigpros
- Start date
There are a substantial amount of good binos in your price range. Are you brand loyal? Does warranty matter? Are you going to go with a tripod for the binos to be placed on? ( really helps) makes the difference in glassing for minutes or hours. As far as your power is concerned its a personal preference. Do you plan to add a spotting scope in the future? Or want maximum zoom out of the binos to eliminate a spotter? 10's are a great all around bino. 15's are great if you plan to only use binos and want to cover some serious ground.
Just a few things to help you make your mind up and being able to focus on a certain "class" of binos is much easier than looking at the entire industry.
Just a few things to help you make your mind up and being able to focus on a certain "class" of binos is much easier than looking at the entire industry.
sigpros,
I'm not an expert and I can't afford $2000 either. However, I shopped around on the used market in some New York camera stores and found a pair of Leica 8-12 power for under $1000. I've had them for several years now and think they're great but heavier than you would want on a sheep hunt. I also have a set of 10x Zeiss that are lighter and are comparable in quality. Look through as many different brands as you can and go with the best ones that you can afford.
I'm not an expert and I can't afford $2000 either. However, I shopped around on the used market in some New York camera stores and found a pair of Leica 8-12 power for under $1000. I've had them for several years now and think they're great but heavier than you would want on a sheep hunt. I also have a set of 10x Zeiss that are lighter and are comparable in quality. Look through as many different brands as you can and go with the best ones that you can afford.
hvfd21walker
Active Member
BB should chime in here pretty soon to help you out with optics. My suggestions is Vortex Talons 10x42 HDs. For the money I dont think they can be beat.
Chippy Hacky
Member
- Jul 21, 2012
- 83
- 0
I would go with vortex too. I have 3 family members who have them and a friend who has them. All have used them for 3 seasons or so. They are a third the price of mine and I hate to say that I think that they are better! Don't get anything less then 10x40 for out west, let your spotter do the rest of the work.
Big Sky
Active Member
I have the Zen Ray ed3's and they are awesome. I am spotting more game then ever with them. The quality is great and I have not had a single problem with them.
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
I have the Leupold Olympics as well. I have had them for 2 years and love them. Great glass at a good price. The only knock on them is they are made in china. Hard to find a good pair of made in the USA binos for the 500.00 price range.
squirrelduster
Active Member
Check out the Cabelas Euro vision. I have had a pair for many years and finally decided a year ago to upgrade to some Swarovsky 10x42 EL.
Not the best choice I have ever made. The only difference I can see is the weight, Swaro's are lighter but not by a lot. I don't notice a difference in the optical quality.
Not the best choice I have ever made. The only difference I can see is the weight, Swaro's are lighter but not by a lot. I don't notice a difference in the optical quality.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
- 304
- 0
tdub24
Veteran member
I use the Cabela's XT, which have done me wonders for over 5 years. Definitely an upgrade from the walmart special simmons of yester year!!! I also have a Swarovski spotter as a back up for those extreme distance glassing.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I have a pair of Leica Ultravid 10x25 compacts and love them. They are roughly $699.00 but I feel are worth the price. Yes they do not have the light transmission of a 10x40, but these things are light and handy, and the images are crystal clear. I love them and they are always around my neck. I do know some guys who end up leaving their 10x40's of different makes in the truck sometimes because the just get too darn heavy after a while. An 8x30 or a 10x30 would be another excellent choice. I sure like the Leica's but the Zeiss Conquest is another great binocular. Look through many and see what "fits" you best!
David
David
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
My favorites in this price range are the Vortex Talons and Zen Ray ED3s. I do not think 10x bins are required for Western hunting. I have glassed long distances with 8x bins quite often, and found them more than adequate. I am not a big fan of compacts for serious extended glassing.
RUTTIN
Veteran member
My suggestion would be go to a Sportmans or Cabelas just before dark, take every pair in your price range outside and look through them and see what you like the best. Every ones eyes are different, and one pair of bins may look better to you than they do for me. Good luck on your search and let us know what you choose.
Here is a website of reviews you can check out. http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/
Here is the cheapest and most reliable place to purchase I have found. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
I go to my local sporting good store and check out the binos I'm interested in the check out the prices at bhphoto and a few other places. There can be quite a bit of price difference from store to store.
Here is the cheapest and most reliable place to purchase I have found. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
I go to my local sporting good store and check out the binos I'm interested in the check out the prices at bhphoto and a few other places. There can be quite a bit of price difference from store to store.
Whisky
Member
I got the 10x Vortex Talons prior to this season and I like them. I stepped up from 8x Monarchs and I like the extra power personally. I do wish I would have spent the extra money and went with the Viper HD now though. The Talons seem kind of big and bulky to me, but that's a given I suppose since I've carried 8x Monarchs all my life. The Viper binos are a little smaller and lighter. Overall I'm happy with the Talons, but may end up selling them for the Vipers.
I had a customer purchase the talons. When they arrived I of course had to look thru them and compare them to my vanguards. He showed up and opened the box. He says " hay! These arent what i ordered" I said "thats what came in the box. Dont know what to tell ya" He said "why would vortex ship you vanguard binos?" "I dunno manWierd huh?Ill make you a deal on those I guess". The talons are sweet and most definetly a competitor in any class. Besides the crystal clear glass. The body is pretty lightweight. And the binos as a whole look and feel like you can run them over with a truck. And they would be fine. He eventually got his talons...
Thanks guys. I have never heard of Zen Ray before but will check them out. I do like the feel of a pair of vortex I tried at cabelas but can't remember what model it was. Thanks again for the places to look. I have a little while before next season to try stuff out and make up my mind.
mnhunter
Active Member
Check this site out. It is called "Sample List" the majority of the optics on here have been floor samples/demos, and you can save yourself a couple hundred bucks in alot of cases. Don't overlook some of the less known options like Minox and Pentax, I have looked through some of those and they are pretty nice.
http://www.samplelist.com/Binoculars-C3392.aspx
http://www.samplelist.com/Binoculars-C3392.aspx