Looking to upgrade my Leupold BX-3 8x42 to a 10x42 , any ideas ?

[thegarbrah]

Hey guys I'm looking to upgrade my optics set up because I find that I'm using my 8x42 glass for trying to look at longer distances and I'm finding that my edge visibility is a bit fuzzy with these binos. I'm looking at 10x42 glass and would like something higher end (looking at used glass) and want to keep the price to under $700. Anyone have suggestions ? I'm looking into Zeiss Conquest, Vortex Razor, Meopta HD to name a few.

I was considering going for a spotter then upgrading my binos next year, but I think I'll just spend more on the bino's and wait on the spotter.

Low light viz is a concern, but I'm really looking for overall clarity and being able to look behind the bino's for several hours and not get a headache.

 

[rjroberts15]

The bx-3 pro guides are pretty nice. The Razor's are hard to beat for the money.

 

[thegarbrah]

Just checked out ebay and found older model razor 10x42 for $599. Now I just need to sell my BX-3's

 

[JimP]

If you are looking at Vortex check out this site for refurbished ones.

http://aaoptics.com/

But I often ask myself, just how many are being sent back to the factory to get rebuilt that there can be a place dedicated to selling them?

I loved my Leopold 10x42 Cascades. I decided to send them in for a small problem where they wouldn't stay spread out for my eyes and they sent me a brand new pair of 10x42 BX2's. and they have been getting a workout.

 

[crockett]

I hunt in the western desert as often as I can draw and glassing for game can be as far as a mile away! I have a pair of 10x42 Leupold Cascades and I do like them. However I also have a pair of older Swarovoski 7x42's. I can see more detail on game and find game better at a far distance with the 7x42 Swaro's than I can with the 10x42 Cascades -- the Swaro glass is that much better. I'd think the Cascades were pretty good if it weren't for the quality of the Swaro's!

 

[Rich M]

You can get a pair of 10x42 Mojaves (not the HD version) for about $200 on Ebay if you shop it.

I just picked up the Cabelas Guide version (Mojave BX-3 equivalent) for $200 and then found the real thing for the same price... Really like them and have spent some time behind them in daylight, dusk, and nights with some moon - they impress me but Ive not looked thru Alpha glass other than my Leica ER scope which is of course better...

Did some comparisons with the Cascades vs Mojaves and found the Mojaves to be brighter and a bit crisper. The Cascades were nice and easy on the eyes - wouldn't not like them if I had them.

Looked thru the Vortex Diamondbacks and liked the Leupolds better - was disappointed in the Diamondbacks as the reviews had me expecting more. (I have a Viper scope)

Like everything else it comes down to budget and intended use - I'm planning 2 out west hunts. Couldn't justify Leicas or Meostars or the other big names. If it was to be an annual thing I'd probably drop $1,000 on some good glass (Meostars or Leica Trinavids can be had for this, Zeiss too).

Hope you find some that exceed your expectations.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I hunt in the western desert as often as I can draw and glassing for game can be as far as a mile away! I have a pair of 10x42 Leupold Cascades and I do like them. However I also have a pair of older Swarovoski 7x42's. I can see more detail on game and find game better at a far distance with the 7x42 Swaro's than I can with the 10x42 Cascades -- the Swaro glass is that much better. I'd think the Cascades were pretty good if it weren't for the quality of the Swaro's!

Zeiss did a study on bino power. In their tests people could see more with 7x than any other power tested, including 10x. Wish I had all the test details to see what criteria were used. But it does give pause for thought. I know I struggle to hold 10x steady and use 8.5x nearly all the time.

 

[JimP]

I also would like to see just how they determined that 7x was the best power. Perhaps they were looking more at field of view than magnification.

I used to use a pair of 12x25 compacts. Now talk about a small field of view but I used them for over 10 years on everything from elk, deer, javelina, and everything else that I hunted. They are now sitting in my truck just to have a pair of binoculars in the vehicle.

I upgraded the 12x25's to some 10x42's and have never looked back. I learned the techniques to be able to hold them steady and have no problems except for when the wind is blowing fairly strong. If I am just along on the hunt as a spotter I'll pack some 15x60's and never had a problem holding them steady. But you also need to learn how to hold them with your arms close to your body under the binoculars and not like the movies that make you look like some kind of animal getting ready to take off into the wild blue yonder.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I don't know Jim. It was some time ago and all I recall is the test subjects saw more detail at 7x. I'm wish I knew at what distance and how experienced the test subjects were. I tend not to be very steady, would have been a poor surgeon, and need to use lower powers. I've tried to hand hold my 15x, but can't get steady enough to be effective.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

Leupold will be releasing the new and improved Mojave Pro Guides this summer. I have a pair of 12x50's on order so I will let you know how they stake up when they arrive.