I've been shopping for a 'mid-priced' bino; somewhere in the $600-$700 dollar range.

I checked the Viper Vortex HD and really like them.
Wasn't as impressed with Steiner as I thought I'd be.
Heard nothing but bad stuff about Nikon...
Loved the Cabelas Euro & Euro HD.
Like Minox.
Didn't like Bushnell Elite...
Didn't like Leupold..
I like the Weaver Grand Slam, but it's only $430 so "it can't be any good..."

I found a Pentax DCF SP, in 8x43 and was really impressed with them. So I did more research on the Pentax and ended up buying... drum roll please...


Pentax DCF ED 10x50


Looking forward to getting them and taking them hunting!

Pretty sure you'll like them. I have a pair of 8x43 SPs and they are just about as good as my Swarovski SLC 8x30s.

My son has those same Pentax binocs you are looking at. He loves them. His hunting buddy uses Swarovski and while there is a difference its not a lot. For the money they are great binocs.

'Experts'are telling the FOV is too narrow (261/1000).

Congrats on the purchase! I've had a pair of DCF WPII's for about 6 years now, and while they're not the level of the SP's, I've been very satisfied with them. They go hunting or hiking with me every time and have survived, and performed, on a PG hunt in Namibia.

No, they're not Swaros or Leicas, but they don't cost as much, either. A very solid brand for binos, IMO.

I own 4 decent pairs of binoculars but always choose the old Pentax DCF's to hunt with because they look the best to me. If mine were lost/stolen I'd replace them with the 10x50 DCF's.

I just bought a set of 8 x 32 DCF SP for $299 for my wife. They're on the FedEx truck and should be delivered today. I can't wait to try them out. I've heard lots of good reviews.

Pentax binos and scopes are very underrated. You should be very happy with those. If anything ever happens to my old Burris binos I'll also be buying a pair of 10x50 DCFs.

LWD

I bought a Pentax 8x43 DCF SP at an auction. I took them, a Zeiss 8x30 & a Leitz 8x40 out one evening to compare in the field. I was looking into dark shadows and at detail around a pond edge at about 200 yards. They came in the #1 Leitz, #2 Pentax, #3 Zeiss. I was suprised.

Even though you have "heard bad stuff" about Nikon, you may want to pick up a pair of the new Nikon Monarch 7's and look through them just for grins. They run around $500. I have used them this past season and really like them.

Best of luck with whatever you decide on.