Are expensive binos really worth it??
- Thread starter Trapper Luke
- Start date
coleridge
Active member
Originally Posted By: Buster "Steiner is German for Tasco."
If it was possible to get $2000 quality in $200 price, do you really think the Alpha companies would still be in business? Optics are like custom rifles, high end fishing gear, fast cars, etc. Up to a certain point, lot of money for minimum gain. Alot of guys look up & think; that's not much better for the price. After you use the best it's REALLY hard to step down. The small flaws are MUCH more noticable the other way. Also, porro binos' will last a fraction as long as roof prism. Be carefull with them & they will run longer, but they WILL still break. Although if you don't have the money to spend now & plan to buy again later. A $200 porro will looks pretty good. Alot better than a $200 roof prism (just won't last as long).
A great pair of bino's will last easy 15-20 years (if your half-azz'd resposible & just don't loose them), likley much longer than that. You can buy good binos & have GREAT glass that whole time. Or you can spend $150-$300 every 2-5 years pay the same thing in the end & have Coke bottle veiws, eye strain headaches, trouble& agravation, through the years...
Steiner is German for Tasco. That's funny!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it was possible to get $2000 quality in $200 price, do you really think the Alpha companies would still be in business? Optics are like custom rifles, high end fishing gear, fast cars, etc. Up to a certain point, lot of money for minimum gain. Alot of guys look up & think; that's not much better for the price. After you use the best it's REALLY hard to step down. The small flaws are MUCH more noticable the other way. Also, porro binos' will last a fraction as long as roof prism. Be carefull with them & they will run longer, but they WILL still break. Although if you don't have the money to spend now & plan to buy again later. A $200 porro will looks pretty good. Alot better than a $200 roof prism (just won't last as long).
A great pair of bino's will last easy 15-20 years (if your half-azz'd resposible & just don't loose them), likley much longer than that. You can buy good binos & have GREAT glass that whole time. Or you can spend $150-$300 every 2-5 years pay the same thing in the end & have Coke bottle veiws, eye strain headaches, trouble& agravation, through the years...
Steiner is German for Tasco. That's funny!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I bought a pair of Swarovskis about 5 years ago when I lived in Iowa, they didn't see much use there. Once I moved to AZ and started hunting in the west, it became apparent that hi-end glass is worth it.
After several hours a day looking for Coues deer on distant hills, searching for antler glint or the outline of their well camouflaged shapes, I have grown to respect the quality of these binos. I also have a Cabela's outfitter grade tripod and a Manfrotto pistol grip ball head that makes glassing much easier when looking through the 15X56's.
After several hours a day looking for Coues deer on distant hills, searching for antler glint or the outline of their well camouflaged shapes, I have grown to respect the quality of these binos. I also have a Cabela's outfitter grade tripod and a Manfrotto pistol grip ball head that makes glassing much easier when looking through the 15X56's.
bigsky_songdogs
Active member
I bought a pair of vortex fury's 10x42 last year, they are really clear and i like them. I compared them to the nikons and leupolds in that price range and i thought the vortex were far better plus the warrenty is as good as it gets.
That being said, i am saving for Swaro's and plan to get in a year or two
Fin
That being said, i am saving for Swaro's and plan to get in a year or two
Fin
yotewacker1
New member
I think all low to midrange price binoc's are about the same. But if you have ever had a high end set, you will dearly miss them when there gone.
I will disagree. I have a set of 8X42 ProMaster Elite ED's.....phenomenal view. I had a set of Swaro 8X30 SLC's and sold them (at a great price I might add) to a guy on here who was well pleased with them. View was nice, but not as sharp as my ProMaster's. Did I compromise on weight/bulk, yes, I did, but I love the view. I paid $400 for the bino's two years ago and I have yet to find a set of bino's that will 'best' the ProMaster's other than a set of 10X42 Swaro EL's and even then it was minute (sp?). I realize everyone's eyes are different and yes, I had lazik 5 yrs ago and that might even have something to do with that, however, try the ProMaster's or the Zen Ray's before you drop $1K+ on a set of binos. You can thank me later!
Added: lifetime replacement warranty- no questions asked.
Added: lifetime replacement warranty- no questions asked.
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Was hunting with a friend last winter, lots of glassing and I soon noticed he was pretty quite as we observed coyotes. I was spotting coyotes and fox at over a mile and able to discern their color,which way they were looking etc.. I later realized the reason he was so queit was because he really wasn't seeing much thru his cheaper Leupolds as compared to my Swaro's.Serious hunting requires serious optics. I have never regretted buying the swaros in the 15 years I have owned them.
kerstinlinne
New member
As in most things, it is usually wise to buy the best that you can afford.
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trafalgar drake mens black
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Okiedigger
New member
Originally Posted By: rpc55Originally Posted By: fw707
coloradobob said:My ONLY regret is that I didn't buy good binocs 30 years ago.
Like me you probably couldn't afford them. Raising a family and owning a mortgage in current times is tough. Every purchase I make comes down to "what is the best that I can afford right now". I here "save up" all the time. That's bs to me. Any money that gets put away gets spent on braces, tires for the car, brakes for the truck, school clothes, on and on......
rant over.
I'm with you, Heck I felt guilty buying a pair of $300 bushnell legends. (which I am more than happy with BTW
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I realize not everyone needs or can afford the very best binos out there, but it's also one area where I don't think people should go cheap and you should buy the very best you can afford. It never ceases to amaze me how many guys don't bat an eye at spending $600.00 for a new rifle and another $500.00 for a new scope, but they buy whatever binos the local ___-Mart has on sale for $29.99. Personally, I'd rather hunt with a $200.00 rifle and scope combo than a $200.00 pair of binos, but YMMV.
You also need to consider how many days you spend afield each year. I've already spent 40+ days hunting big-game this year and haven't even started calling predators yet, and shed hunting season is still around the corner, so I consider good binos a cheap investment.
Another thing is, there's some great deals out there on used high end glass and that's the route I'd suggest those looking to save some money take. A wise man once said, "Used excellence, trumps a shiny new POS!"
You also need to consider how many days you spend afield each year. I've already spent 40+ days hunting big-game this year and haven't even started calling predators yet, and shed hunting season is still around the corner, so I consider good binos a cheap investment.
Another thing is, there's some great deals out there on used high end glass and that's the route I'd suggest those looking to save some money take. A wise man once said, "Used excellence, trumps a shiny new POS!"