Ray,

I went both ways (now that doesn't quite sound right does it?), small and light (Leica 8x20 BCA's - Black - new $280 via e-bay) & large and heavy (Leica 7x42 BN's - Black new $712. via e-bay ). I always have the 8x20's on a belt pouch when hunting, and weighing only 10oz, I never know they are there, until need. The bigger Leica's are mounted on a Crooked Horn shoulder (not neck strap) and work fine even though they weigh a full 32 oz.

Try em you like em.

Bob

Ray

I think that you should write down the names of the binoculares on small notes, put them in a hat, shake well and draw a note. Then go get the bino it says on the note

Seems to me you got a really sweet problem.

Johan

JOhan,
that may just be the best advise yet...I sure like the 8x30 ziess but in my heart I believe the Leica 8x42 BA or 10x42BA may be the best. the problem is I don't know that.

Ray,

I would suggest the Leica's are probably the best of the ones you listed. Personally I use 7x42SLC's
and they have been truely excellent. I am trying to justify trading them in for the new 8.5x42EL's, but it is very hard to spend that much extra cash when the slc's work so well.

Pete

Ray

Do you have a picture to post that shows that way to carry the binos, you wrote about. I'm a bit slow on imagining and my understaning of English is not perfect either.

Johan

I recently tried the 8 X 36 Nikons and I was very impressed. Very nice optics, very reasonable money. Unfortunately not armored. But still, for the cost, a very nice binocular. - Dan

Johan,
I sure don,t but picture this.....Replace the neck strap that comes with the binocs with a one inch soft cotton webbing strap that is adjustable.

slip your left arm through the loop and hang the binocs on your left side near your belt loops like one would a heavy purse or bag with the strap over the right shoulder.

You will never tire and all one has to do is slip them up and look through them and they can be moved behind you for crawling or high in front for instant use, where ever you want them. I will post a new thread on this.

Hjort,
I have been looking at the 8x30 Swarovski in the classic traditional rubber armoured, just plain old fashion binocs with good lenses for $590.

Kenyati,
I almost bought a pair of Leicas from Cambridge World as you suggested, but then I found out that those prices are for the japan Leicas and the German Liecas are $100. more or so they told me. then I found out these are grey market and do not carry the USA guarentee....watchout for these Grey Market outfits.....I think they are a little shady to say the least...

Leica 8*42 I use them for everything,but mostly
caribou on open tundra.Awesome glass.I have the
spotter too...big and a little heavy but awesome.
Anyone have a new compact spotter from zeiss,or
leica?How do you like it?
Jeff

Just fork out the $1300 for the leica 8-12x42s and be done with it. Im strongly considering it. I would like to get my hands on a pair to check em out.

As I have posted previously on the African Big-Game Hunting Forum, I bought a pair of Swarovski 8.5 x 42 EL's to take on our 28 day hunt in South Africa. I also used them on a spring bear hunt in Canada prior to leaving for Africa. In a word, they are magnificent! Barring theft or loss, I have bought my last pair of binoculars.

I also have a pair of Swarovski 8x56 SL's that I have used for years. While sitting in the bear stand at dark, I was amazed to see that the 8.5x42 EL's were brighter, had better color resolution and a wider field of view than the older Swarovski 8x56 SL's.
Admittedly, they are a bit pricey, and not especially small or lightweight; but, I believe they are the best all-around hunting binoculars available in the market.

Cabela's have a good deal on the Zeiss Classics8x30 at present...$699 if I recall correctly.
As to them not being waterproof, well thats all down to the German defination of waterproof. They are a very popular bino in the UK with both stalkers and birdwatch and I have heard no complaints of it leaking in our weather...

The IOR-VALDADA glass by Schott,Germany 7x42 nightfighter is as fine a glass as I can appreicate with 19mm of eye relief it doesn;t get better for wearers of eyeglasses -really worth checking out- Rawhider

Based on the expertise of Jim Brockman, Ross Seyfried and a couple of other local yeahoos I settled for a set of 8x42 Kahles for my new binocs, which I needed like a hole in the head..My old Golden Ring Leupolds made by Leitz I believe have served me for a century or two but I got the bug and floundered in need! I will sell the Leupolds I suppose.

I tried the new 8-12 Leica's the other day at BassPro. Boy are they nice. The difference, to my eye, between those and the Swaro EL is neglible. The Leica gives you that 50% boost in power if needed and that sure is nice. Considering they're about the same price it would seem to me to be a no brainer that the Leica's preferred.

It's interesting how they do the zoom as each lens is adjusted separately. They have no gradations between 8 and 12 power so I assume they intend it to be used at either 8 or 12, either racked all the way down or up. It seemed to me that it would be difficult to arrive at an intermediate power and ensure that both lenses are set identically.

The eye cups are similar to my compact 10x25 Leicas in that they extend in and out, no rubber eyecups. This is really nice for the eyeglass wearer. They have three settings for the eye cups, all the way down for eyeglass wearers, an intermediate setting that may (my guess as the guy at the counter was no help) contribute to a little more field of view, and all the way out. Each setting is pretty solid.

I didn't see a ready facility for a tripod mount but I recall vaguely that it's available as an option for an extra $25-30. I would view that as something that should be standard equipment.

Anyway, I haven't decided whether or not to pull the trigger on this to the tune of $1400 but if I do this is the model for me.

Reed

Well, it looks like you got a lot advice there Craig on the bino's, so I can't really add much more then what the other guys have.

But I would like to add one thing, I think you would like the 10X50's (especially in the Leica's or Zeiss) or the 10x40's. I have got the 7x42 Geovid's, 10x40 Zeiss and the 10x50 Leica's - which one do I like the best, well that would have to be the Lieca 10x50, they are fantastic.

[ 08-10-2002, 09:40: Message edited by: coyote control ]

Reed,
Just a quick note, if your are thinking of buying a high quality pair of Bino's then grab a copy of the Popular Photography and check in the ads in the back of the book. These camera stores sell these high end bino's at a much cheaper prices then sporting shops or retail houses.
I got my Lieca's $375 cheaper than my local gun shop and the gun shop was $45 cheaper than what Cabelas sold them for.

Asking what power binos is a bit like asking what kind of rifle. In fact, to be good at using binos takes just as much work and practice as shooting a rifle (well, almost) If you want to work at it and get good and steady offhand with binos, a 12 power is superb although for most people, 12x in the field without image stabilization is next to worthless. Same holds true to a lesser extent for the 10x. Very few PH's are happy with the 7x or 8x although this is what they would suggest for the average hunter. No doubt, if you want to put in the range work, 10x or 12x is better under nearly all conditions.

Beware of the camera stores in NY like Cambridgeworld.com....they are Grey Market and you get no maker guarentee...

I called and ordered a pair of 8x42 Leicas for $627.00, they got my order, cc number etc. and causully suggested that I upgrade to German Leicas as they were much better!!! the ones they sell at discount are made in Japan!! I immediatly cancelled the order and it perturbed them slightly....no way Jose!!

Also you will have to return them to Germany for repairs and this ties them up for 6 months or so..Purchased in the states from a legit dealer allows you repair at the USA repair center and a short turn around, according to Leica, Swaroski and Kahles (same co.).

I ended up getting a pair of Kahles and I'm as happy as pig in slop with them and I got them for half of the cost of Leicas and I cannot tell the difference....

I got 8x42's as they are easy to use off the back of a horse and I can't use my 10's off a horse very well...I can sure tell the difference..At half the price these Kahles are as good as my Leicas as far as I can tell.. Brockman tells me he sells more Kahles and the difference is zilch..Kahles is owned by Swaroski. It seems the Kahles are metal housing and the Swaroski are plastic thus lighter by an ounce, according to the Swaroski/Kahles rep. I believe that being the case that the Kahles will be tougher.

I use the 10x Zeiss but in some situations the 8x would be better. You won't be sorry you bought either one. It is really important to buy the best you can afford here and really good glass is not cheap.

CC,

Thanks for the head's up but I'm aware of those places as I've purchased most of my camera gear at good prices from either the local shop by simply asking for a better price or else the NY shops when in a hurry. Always ask for the US guarantee when dealing with NY.

When I was buying my 500/4 Nikon lens my local shop had met the price but couldn't deliver for several months. I ended up buying from NY simply because I was in a hurry with an upcoming trip to photograph Prairie Chickens.

I really need to get back into my photography as I just haven't done anything since moving to St. Louis.

Later,

Reed

Check out this page regarding warranty service on different binocular manufacturers.

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/binocsbwd2000warranties.html

Ray,

Wow!! Thanks for the heads up!! I was on the very edge of buying a pair of Leica 8X42's this week!! That was a close one

Sorry to lead you guys/gals astray by suggesting them earlier... OOPS Forgive me please.

Does anyone know if AAA Binocular is legit?

(at least I think that is the other place I was looking at )

Kenati

Kenati, of course these camera houses are selling grey-market, but the info the guy gave Ray about being made in Japan was pure BS... typical of these guys trying to sell you the US Warranty. Definately stear clear of Cambridge though... they're about the worst for that sort of nonsense. If anything goes wrong with your Leica's, the good news is UPS goes to Frankfurt... no brainer... I've been buying grey-market for over twenty years... Just use a credit card... never, never send a cheque.

Brad