What binoculars to get.

U

UTfoxhunter

New member
I just wanted to know what is a good set of binoculars to have. I desperately need to get some new ones. I have been using bushnell sportsview and after looking through them for one minute my eyes start to got cross eyed and I have a headache for two days. im looking to spend 200-300. thanks for the help.
 
with out breaking the bank, Wind River or Pentax both are Very Very good, if you compare apples to apples. roof prisms and phase coating
 
I hunted with a good pair of 8X WindRiver's for years and I never figured I was handicapped at all...Lord knows what was there that I didn't see. I think the old saying “Ignorance is bliss” applies here.

I got a good deal on a new pair of 8X Zeiss and I'm spotting game my hunting partners can't see with their 10X's even after I point it out to them. I'm amazed at the difference in what I can see with a great pair of binoculars verses a good pair.

I know that a new pair of Zeiss’s or something comparable isn't in the price range you stated. The only reason I’m posting this is to recommend that you buy the best glass you can afford. “Buy the best and only cry once”...maybe a good deal on a great pair of used glass will come along.

FWIW
 
Look at Leupold's 10-20x40 compact spotting scope. It will surprise you how handy it is. They can be had for $300 or a little less.
 
UT,
"Good" binos can't be had for the money your wanting to spend.Oh yes you can get clear ones but look thru them for hours on end and you'll still get a headache.
Double the money and get a "Good" pair.
I have kahles 10x42s and can say they are good glass.
 
Wal*Mart sells a pair of Wind River binocs for $200.00. I think they are 10X. I looked through them and it was the clearest view I've ever seen, better than a pair of $800+ Swarovskys I looked through.
 
Got a pair of Bushnell 8x26 compacts from Just Binoculars, for $112.00, that are plainer and better to look thru' than my $250.00 Nikons. They also have them in 10 power for $119.00. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Got a pair of Bushnell 8x26 compacts from Just Binoculars, for $112.00, that are plainer and better to look thru' than my $250.00 Nikon 8x40 reg.size binocs. They also have them in 10 power for $119.00. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I agree with Mr. Richards above, Zeiss is top of the line. You'll be happier in the end if you save for a pair. I have a pair of 8x20 compacts that I can see through after every rifle scope I have is black for lack of light, with the exception of the Zeiss 3x9 I finally just sprung for. I also have an old pair of 10x50's that I bought on ebay from a guy in England for $227- best deal on optics I ever got, although it was spooky trading like that, sight unseen. They came in and are almost mint condition- unbelievable. A bit heavy for avarage carrying, though. You get what you pay for with optics, in my opinion.
 
I agree with Greg Richards as well.

I have a pair of Zeiss 10X40 that I've had for 27 years. I paid $1000 Can. for them and everyone said I was nuts.

Because I'm guiding, I use them more in a month than most hunters would in a year. The rubber extensions on the eyepieces and the integrla leather case finally just plain wore out. The binos also needed cleaning and servicing.
I sent them off to Zeiss.

While they were gone I needed binos of course and after years of quality binos, I hated the thought of cheap optics. I bought a pair of Wind Rivers for $700 Canadian. I hated those things every time I looked through them for the whole month my Zeiss were gone.

Now don't get me wrong. They are a very good bino, but the are not great, and that's the BIG difference.

When I got my Zeiss back, I just looked at stuff and enjoyed the quality. Everytime I look through them I am happy with spending the extra money. It worked out to less than $40 a year for binos that work everytime under any conditions and are always a delight too use.

BTW the people that thought I was nuts have spent much more than that over the years and had to look through binos that didn't work or weren't very good or user friendly and as a result got left in camp more than they got used.

Mike Granger has a pair of Compact Leicas and I think they are 9X25. They are also excellent and lightweight. I've seen them on Ebay in your price range.
 
yes the 1000.00 glasses are great but you can get a very good pair of glasses for less just stay with a good name like leopold, or nikon, I am not impressed with busnell at all ( ihave owned more binos. than I can count). Just make sure that you get the right eye relief if you wear glasses make sure that they are fully coated not multi coated and if light transmission is important to you then dont setttle for anything that has a quotient less than 5 when you divide the objective lens size by the power example 40mm divided by 8 power is 5 which is the least acceptable for light transmission. Also stay away from the zoom glasses they by nature are not as durable or as crisp. I hope this is of some help.
 
Bino's I hate them! They all make me dizzy.

I had a pair of Nikon's that wasnt worth 2 cents that cost me around $250.00- $ 300.00. I have a pair of Bushnell Banner's that are 10X42 and are plenty clear enough for me in the woods and they dont make me feel to bad. I am one that will not spend a large amount of money on Bino's because it will take years to get my moneys worth out of them and I dont even use them all the time in the woods. As we speak here I am in the market for a nice spotting scope.

Troy
 
I have or have used them all over the years and have to agree there is no comparison between high dollar glass and the rest. It is of my opinion they rate as Leica, Zeiss, and Swar. Leica is my top choice. Eye strain and headache will tell you how good a set is real quick if you have to use them for any extened periods of time.

However, in your price range, you will be hard pressed to beat Leupold wind River Olympic binoculars. They are some of the best I have seen for the money. The 10x50's are a little heavy for general hunting so you might want to get the 8x42's.
 
If your intent is to use the Binos while on a stand, get something with a good field of view. If you get something too high powered (10-15 power magnification), you may miss an animal running up to you (not good in Mountain Lion country). If your field of view is too restricted by high magnification, you will also have to move the binos more to cover your area of interest.

My choice is to get something in the 6 or 8 power range and with a 30mm to 42mm objective lens. Too small an objective lens and your field of view is too restricted.

If you want to save money, you might also concider buying used and buying quality like a good German or other European glass. Also check the binos from IOR-Valdada (www.VALDADA.com), they have glass and coatings of very high quality. Check camera shops and pawn shops for good used binos.

Best of luck to you.

I have spent a lot of money on binos until I found the units that were suitable for my intended purposes. My "calling" binos are 8x30mm Steiners and they are light weight and seem to work OK. I put cloth cammo tape over the rubber coating and like the feel and texture of them. Be sure to get the rubber coated binos, otherwise you will be making "unauthorized" noise as your calls and other things clank against your binos.

I wear my binos under my NatGear 3-D hooded jacket all the time.

Merry Christmas,
 
My vote is for Wind River, Mesa model 8x42

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A buddy of mine has them and i got to use them a few times and they are great, they dont wiegh very much and arent all that big either, i have used Swavorski Binocs and i will definatly say that these arent comparable but for the money this is probly the best you can get!

This will be my next purchase

Nick~
 
GP, I have a few questions about your experience with Leica, as their warranty is supposed to be the best in the industry. Were you the original owner? Were they "grey market"? Why did you send them in in the first place? Why did they charge you $350.00? Everything I've ever read says their binos carry a "no fault" warranty for the original owner, which should've only cost you $35.00 to ship the binos to them.

Utahfoxhunter, I realize not everyone can afford $700.00-$1500.00 for the top european brands, and for 99% of the people out there, there's no reason to spend that kind of money. Now I don't suggest you run to ___-Mart and buy the first $39.99 pair you see, but several of the japanese makers have made some real strides over the past few years in optical quality, and the price of good quality binoculars has really dropped. It used to be a guy had to spend big bucks to get "phase corrected" binoculars, but not any more. There are actually several good quality "phase coated" binoculars available for right around $200.00. Check out the B&L Discoverers on sale at www.natchezss.com for $199.99, or another good one is the Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger series or the Audobon series from Swift, both available at www.eagleoptics.com .

If you want to spend a little more money, a guy would have to look long and hard to beat the Pentax DCF SP's, which can be had online for $390.00 to $450.00. You might also want to consider getting a porro prism binocular, as you generally get more bang for the buck with a porro prism vs a roof prism. Anyway, good luck on your decision.

Here's a site with some great reviews. Granted, their main focus is birdwatching, but they know their stuff. www.betterviewdesired.com
 
UT
I have a pair of Zies Diafun 8x30 got them from cabelas they have them for $299 or for 50 more you can get the 10x I would never buy anything less. Best money I ever spent. Only reason I would have waited to buy them (but didnt know) they went on sale after I already bought them. I paid $400 for a month later they went on sale for 299 oh well well worth what I paid.
Thats just my opinion take it how you please.
Idaho Buck
 
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