Are expensive binos really worth it??
- Thread starter Trapper Luke
- Start date
tripod3
New member
Quote:99.99% sure Kahles and Swarovski split the sheets a few years back. Same with Leica and Minox. Nice binos, but don't expect Swarovski type warranty coverage.
Good to know, I can't keep up with all the changes. The other day the lawnmower/saw shop told me that Electrolux owns Husqavarna. They implied the quality is not what is used to be.
Good to know, I can't keep up with all the changes. The other day the lawnmower/saw shop told me that Electrolux owns Husqavarna. They implied the quality is not what is used to be.
SuperSeal110
New member
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGMy buddy uses Swarovski EL 10x42's, he paid around $1600 new. I use Leupold Wind River porro prisim 10x50's for $195.
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
'laffin
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
'laffin
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGMy buddy uses Swarovski EL 10x42's, he paid around $1600 new. I use Leupold Wind River porro prisim 10x50's for $195.
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
Sounds to me like you need to schedule an appointment with one of two people. Either and ophthalmologist for eye problems, or a drug abuse counselor for smoking crack.
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
Sounds to me like you need to schedule an appointment with one of two people. Either and ophthalmologist for eye problems, or a drug abuse counselor for smoking crack.
pitman6302
Active member
You are better oof buying the Swaro. with the lifetime warranty and no ? asked about what happened.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGMy buddy uses Swarovski EL 10x42's, he paid around $1600 new. I use Leupold Wind River porro prisim 10x50's for $195.
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
Tell your buddy to send them back to get fix. because there is a big difference. I didnt think there was but there is. Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGMy buddy uses Swarovski EL 10x42's, he paid around $1600 new. I use Leupold Wind River porro prisim 10x50's for $195.
My "cheap" Leopolds are built cheaper for sure but they work fine and are BRIGHTER at dusk and dark than his. Looking out over a field at night mine wins hands down every time.
His expensive Swaro binos have a tiny bit more contrast and just a hair more clarity in the day. Both of us had a hard time telling the difference between the two binos going back and forth. That really makes him mad and he doesn't like talking about it!
So for me, no, big dollar binos are not worth it.
Tell your buddy to send them back to get fix. because there is a big difference. I didnt think there was but there is. Just my 2 cents.
venatic
Well-known member
I have used at least 4 pairs of various Leupold against Swaro's and also two pairs of Nikon and they were not even in the same zip code much less close. My last comparison was Swaro EL vs Bushnell Elite's which are 900.00 binos and I did actually have trouble deciding which was best and that test lasted 4 hours sitting glassing deer until dark with two people swapping between the two.I own 3 pair of Leupold so I am not anti-Leupold but I use them for keep in the truck all the time not when I am serious hunting.
I belive optics are more important than your rifle. Almost all of my time in the woods is spent shed hunting or scouting for big game most of which is behind optics. I belive buy the best you can buy. I think that leica and swarovski are both outstanding and zeiss is not far behind (I use zeiss 10's for my neck binos) I also think that the best bino for the money as well as HANDS DOWN the best customer service is the vortex. We had a customer drop a pair of 15x56 kaibabs off his tripod and chip a lense he had new binos no questions asked in 8 buisness days.
gonzaga
New member
I have had the Steiner Predator 8x30's for about 12 years now. They are my back ups to the 10x's that I got last year. The ONLY reason that I stepped it up was because of the low light viewing. The 42's allow you about 30+minutes of late hour viewing, or early hour viewing. That is the only reason that I changed. I have seen animals with the predator coating on the lenses, it works as advertised. The animals stand out dramatically.
Originally Posted By: coloradobobPersonally I would check out as many different binos that you can that have the features and power you are looking for at local dealers.
For me it made more sense to go with Nikon over a much more expensive brand. The optics are crisp and clear which was exactly what I was looking for, and at a reasonable price. I tried on quite a few before making my decision and I'm glad I did. Saved me a good amount of money and I'm very satisfied with their performance.
I guess it just all boils down to what you like and what you will be happy with. JMO
Saved me some typing.
I kinda feel the very top end stuff looks better in your hummer or in your posts on here.
My old dodge does very well with the Nikons.
Bright as most anything I have looked through.
For me it made more sense to go with Nikon over a much more expensive brand. The optics are crisp and clear which was exactly what I was looking for, and at a reasonable price. I tried on quite a few before making my decision and I'm glad I did. Saved me a good amount of money and I'm very satisfied with their performance.
I guess it just all boils down to what you like and what you will be happy with. JMO
Saved me some typing.
I kinda feel the very top end stuff looks better in your hummer or in your posts on here.
My old dodge does very well with the Nikons.
Bright as most anything I have looked through.
JoeBobOutfitters
New member
A friend brought in some Steiner 10x42's earlier today and left them at my store so I was playing with them comparing to the Vortex line of binos.
I notice (0) difference in broad daylight or at night looking down the street between the Steienr's and the Vortex Diamondback 10x42's(apples to apples).
I like the lens cap cover design for the Stiener's but otherwise...I don't see any appreciable difference. I think the ~$200 range the Vortex are hard to beat esp w/ the warranty.
I notice (0) difference in broad daylight or at night looking down the street between the Steienr's and the Vortex Diamondback 10x42's(apples to apples).
I like the lens cap cover design for the Stiener's but otherwise...I don't see any appreciable difference. I think the ~$200 range the Vortex are hard to beat esp w/ the warranty.
claimbuster
New member
As said earlier, "spend the money and don't look back".
In an average prairie dog day, I spend five times the time in the binos over the rifle scope.
Spend the money on the binos. Next year I will do as I say.
In an average prairie dog day, I spend five times the time in the binos over the rifle scope.
Spend the money on the binos. Next year I will do as I say.
knockemdown
New member
Contrary to popular belief, Steiners can't hang with the 'other' German stuff (Leica/Zeiss). Not by a looong shot...