I am looking to purchase a new pair of bino's for hunting. The will be used for open country and as an all around set of glass. I would like to spend $1200 or less.

I bought a new pair of Leupold Gold Ring 10x42 HD but the eye cups are too hard and they are quite heavy.

What are some opinions?

Thanks

ddj

This may not be of any help, but I bought a set of Pentax WP 8X42 (waterproof, nitrogen-filled) a few years back (2002) in preparation for a SE AK bear hunt, and I've never once regretted it. As a pretty serious waterfowler, I got tired of glass that shit the bed over little stuff like being banged around boats, dropped in mud and totally submerged in 28F salt water, and things like that, and after some research, settled on the Pentax. I think at the time I paid around $400-$500. Clearly not the most pricy set out there, but I've never regretted it, and my pair has never let me down in any way. The one regret (OK, two) that I have are the cheesy, ridiculous plastic caps, and the fairly cheap nylon case they come with. That said, I really dig them. YMMV.

Cheers,

KG

I recentley bought a pair of 10x42 Nikon Monarch bino's.

I am amazed at the quality of these bino's they have stood the test here in here in South Africa.

Even tested them one night looking at game while sitting in a hide with a very little moon.

They are realy worth the money.

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
I am looking to purchase a new pair of bino's for hunting. The will be used for open country and as an all around set of glass. I would like to spend $1200 or less.

I bought a new pair of Leupold Gold Ring 10x42 HD but the eye cups are too hard and they are quite heavy.

What are some opinions?

Thanks

ddj

What weight binox are you looking for? You mention weight as an issue.

Don

You have to try to narrow down the choice as to the features you want , magnification, weight ,LER if you wear glasses , etc. I just bought a Steiner 8x42 Peregrine - 24 oz ,20mm eye relief. When you get around $ 1000 you can get a fine binocular !!

Dear ddj:

I went through the same exercise 10 years ago. I had the list whittled down to Swaroski and Nikon.

Then I looked through a pair of 10x42 Trinovid Leica's. That was it.

Even if they are now above your price range of $1200.00, since I do not know the present retail price, go check them out, and if you are impressed save up some more money.

There are Leica Ultravids sold today, that are even more expensive. But I don't know anything about them.

Make sure that you test them outside of the store. They will blow your mind.

The Leica resolution is impressive and the lenses are color corrected, unlike the Swaroski which have a yellow cast.

Sincerely,

Chris Bemis

This is a superb choice if you are looking for a lighter binoc:

Leica Ultravid 8x32, Demo for 1100$ at CameralandNY

I personally prefer 8x magnification, but if you don't mind 10x, this is a superb glass (demo for $1230).

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/site.pl?page=40262

These are always worth buying - for a lighter glass:

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovski8x30slc

Tons of great options for $1200-1300...

- mike

Open country I'd look at 10X glass. I have a pair of Pentax 8X42 that I bought 5 years ago they have severed me very well in open country. However, I will get another pair of 10X next year. E-mail Doug at Camera land or WWW.theopticzone.com for the best you can afford.

www.cameralandny.com

Doug has some great deals.

Is there any problem with buying a preowned pair of binoculars?

I was looking at some of the deals at cameraland.

I want an all around set of glass, I have used 9x35 wind rivers for 15 years.

Want to stay in the $1200 range if possible.

I don't wear glasses

Any opinions?

ddj

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
Is there any problem with buying a preowned pair of binoculars?
ddj

I think the "Pre-Owned" designation used by CameralLandNY is a way of getting round the manufaturer's suggested list price (MSLP). I'm guessing - and you might confirm this with Doug from CLNY who posts here as "gr8fuldoug" - https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1421043/m/552108709 - that this means the items have been used for shows. Leica then requires this changed designation and the reduction in warranty duration to accept the lower price. If they did not, they would have a problem with their MSLP...

I have bought several such items from Doug, and have yet to experience a problem. Latest item I bought from him "pre-owned", was a pair of Leica Ultravids 8x42 BR. Price was right!

- mike

I will also put in a suggestion for Doug at Camaraland. I bought a set of of pentax 10x50's from him and they were demos. They were actually brand new when I got them for about a $150 less than the retail. Great customer service and will give you alot of suggestions for your weight and price range.

Take a look at Kahles binos in 8x42 and 10x42, for between $600 to 800 NIB. You'll like the eyecups, they send a few different ones.

I bought a couple pairs off the Sample List and find myself using the 10x42 Kahles more than the Leica's I own.

Nice glass for the money, not too heavy and very rugged.

i have a like new pair of swarovski 10x42 binos for sale if your interested $1100 how far from sioux falls sd are you ?

I settled long ago on a pair of 8x32 Leicas, and the same in Swaroskis or Kahles are good enough...

quote:

Originally posted by mho:

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
Is there any problem with buying a preowned pair of binoculars?
ddj

I think the "Pre-Owned" designation used by CameralLandNY is a way of getting round the manufaturer's suggested list price (MSLP). I'm guessing - and you might confirm this with Doug from CLNY who posts here as "gr8fuldoug" - https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1421043/m/552108709 - that this means the items have been used for shows. Leica then requires this changed designation and the reduction in warranty duration to accept the lower price. If they did not, they would have a problem with their MSLP...

I have bought several such items from Doug, and have yet to experience a problem. Latest item I bought from him "pre-owned", was a pair of Leica Ultravids 8x42 BR. Price was right!

- mike

Everyone who has ever posted on any Forum about buying pre-owned binox from Doug says the same thing; they can't tell them from new ones!!!
I would buy a pair of pre-owned binox from Doug in a heartbeat.
My earlier question about weight had to do with whether or not you plan on carrying them long distances, or viewing for a fixed position. My weight criteria for carry binox is 20 ounces, + or - a couple.
I have a magnificent pair of Swaro 7x42 SLC's with Sarobright that weigh 33 1/2 ounces. They are too heavy for me to carry around all day, but offer a magnificent view.
My hunting here is in thick cover, mostly swamps in Northern Michigan. So, low power binox are appropriate. But, if I lived and/or hunted out west, or any other place where long distance viewing was required, I'd have some higher power binox.
Someone above mentioned listing all of your hunting requirements, then making a decision. That was excellent advice.

Don

I have some Zeiss Conquest 12x45 binos and love them, and they are well within your price range.

I recommend the 10x42 Leica. I've been using one pair for 13 years. About 5 years ago I noticed one of the plastic eyepieces had a small crack in it. I contacted Leica, sent them in for repair and had them back in less than two weeks with no charge. The binos looked like new when I got them back. I like them so much that 4 years ago I bought the 10x42 Geovid which now are my primary glasses.

Swarovski 8x30 SLC's are my choice. I have tried four different brands and my eyes like these the best.

My favorite binos are Steiner. I use the 7x50 Steiner Marine. They have individual eye focus, which in my opinion all binos should have, and they run about $350.......and they're German glass.

I going to recommend something roughly twice what you want to spend, but they're worth it. I broke down and bought a pair - WOW!!! I'm recommending the 8x36 Geovid range finder binocular from Leica. They are as sharp as Swarovski, yet have a built in laser range finder out beyond 1000 yds. When you find game you can range them instantly and set up to shoot. Out West this can be invaluable when the grand daddy buck is on the move. You won't regret getting a pair. Regards, AIU

quote:

Originally posted by Skinner.:
Take a look at Kahles binos in 8x42 and 10x42, for between $600 to 800 NIB. You'll like the eyecups, they send a few different ones.

I bought a couple pairs off the Sample List and find myself using the 10x42 Kahles more than the Leica's I own.

Nice glass for the money, not too heavy and very rugged.

Skinner,

Good words, however I just read that Kahles is going out of business at the end of the year. No more Kahles.
I'd worry about any warranty work if I bough a pair of Kahles binox???

Don

Without hesitation I recommend the Swarovski 8x30's. It is a great all round binocular.

I use 10X42 Ziess Victory Binos and could not ask for better sighting equipment. Good shooting.

Looks like the consessus is to go with Leica, Swaro, Ziess. I couldnt agree more. I have two pair of Leicas. There are some "decent" binoculars around the Pentax and Nikon price range but in optics I feel like you get what you pay for.

If you are going to do a lot of glassing in big country, which it sounds like you are, from your first post. Spend the extra money and get one of the brands above. Coomer a few posts up sounds like he has a great deal on some Swaros.

I suppose if you never look through a pair of Leicas, Ziess or Swaros you would never know what you are missing and would probably be happy with the Pentax or Nikon...... but if you do you will see there is absoloutely no comparison between the European binos and anything made here

Hope you find a good deal, and find that B&C buck with them.

I have been kicking the same question around for about 5 years. I ended up with the Kahles 10x42 after side-by-side comparisons with Swarofski, Zeiss, Leica, etc. For my eyes, the Kahles were the optical equals of the others, but they were more comfortable for me. Even with Kahles closing down, I went with them. They are owned by Swarofski, and I suspect that they are being closed down because they are the optical equal of the Swarofski glass at one-third the cost.

I suggest going to a store that has a wide selection of higher-end binoculars and start playing. Pick something like the high-end Swarofski as a baseline for comparison of optical qualty, find a small object with a lot of detail in a far dark corner, and start comparing.

Ultimately, the correct answer for you will be different from everyone else.

Dave

10x Zeiss Conquest.

I'm a big beliver in nice binos. Some believe the high end binoculars are just for snob appeal and can't wrap their minds around binos costing big $$s.

For me, quality binos are a must as I use them A LOT not just for big game but for varminting and boating. Once you have used GOOD optics the others leave you less than satisfied and IME eye strained.

Find a good glass that is comfortable for you to use. I had a Swarofski and now use Leica products. My hunting buds have Trinovid 10x42s, an Ultravid 10x42 and I use a Duovid 8-12x42. For our high desert hunting the higher power binos work well with no stabilty issues but others like the 8 power for wooded areas. Use what you are comfortable with.

The rangefinding Geovids are worth looking into and are intriging. I thought of swapping my Duovids for the 10x Geovids but didn't pull the trigger quick enough...the dollar tanked and instead of looking at a swap for 4-500$ I'm looking at more like $1000! My well used Duovids will continue to be be my companion for awhile. They have served me well and will continue to do so.

You seem to be on the "full size" bino bandwagon and I agree. With a bino buddy carrying system the weight is not a big deal and IMO the optical performance of a full size is superior to compacts.

Doug at Cameraland is indeed a good source. As mentioned check out his demos and previously owned selection. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of his offerings.

John

One rarely regrets the extra money spent on quality optics, and almost always regrets all the money spent on sub par optics.

Don't let a couple hundred bucks scare you away from a truly exceptional piece of glass.

Look at the Swarovski and Leicas.

You won't regret it.

What is the concensus on 8x vs. 10x? I hunt open country "out west" but timberish in Iowa.

Thanks for all your help.

ddj

I've used a pair of Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA's for 10 years and couldn't be happier. To me 10X gives better resolution and allows me to pick apart the detail in the thick stuff better than 8X does.

quote:

Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
What is the concensus on 8x vs. 10x? I hunt open country "out west" but timberish in Iowa.

Thanks for all your help.

ddj

While 8x30 would be nice in the timber, I would tolerate the extra weight and go 10x 42 if you hunt out West.

Swarovski 7x42's the ultimate in light gathering and clerity...IMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Ol Bull:
Swarovski 7x42's the ultimate in light gathering and clerity...IMHO

Amen.
I would think that 10x binox would be more difficult to hold steady than 7x, or 8x binox.