What do you guys like over there better out of these choices and why? the swaro is cheapest over here by a couple hundred dollars...

The Ultravid and the Zeiss FLs are probably a cut above the SLCs. On the other hand, with optics at that level it is the law of diminishing returns. I'd take a look through the various binocs and see which one you like best. They are all superb optical instruments, so any of them is likely to make you a happy man.

- mike

Two words only

LEICA ULTRAVID

They are all great choices however I bought a pair of 10x40 Optolyth Alpin binos at 1/2 the weight and 1/3 of the price. They are excellent value for money and a dream to hunt with.

MArk

Appart from the countless pairs of "cheap" binos, when I was starting out! (wouls have been better saving up!)...but of the upper end ones - Zeis, Bausch and Lomb and Leica, for my eyes I like the ultravids (light weight great glass, well built), then the Bausch and Lomb (excellant for the money but the "centre" tends to go sloppy after a few years), then the Zeiss.

Love the Ultravids - just don't be afraid to use them, they are expensive!!!

As Mike said - try them before...

On paper:

1. Ultravid - light 770g and FOV - 140/1000m
2. EL (8,5x) - acceptable weight 820g FOV - 135/1000m
3. SLC - IMO too heavy 950g FOV - 140/1000m

P.S. i have just got myself an Optolyth Vianova 7x42GA W - 820g and FOV 135/1000m - as Mark said excelent value for money (~1000 €). They also have a wonderful solution for focusing.

Mark,



Agree with you 100%. Optolyth are a very good binocular.

I use the 8x56 Royal's which are every bit as good as Zeiss in my book.

I did have a 7x42 Alpin until they got stolen; like you say, they were SMALL, LIGHT, of excellent optical quality and very good value for the $$$$.

If you are an eye glass wearer I would pay close attention to the eye releif and try any of them you are planning on buying.

In my mind only Leica has enough eye releif to use with mounted eye glasses and binocs.

Gerry's 8x56 Royals are very nice indeed!

Everybody's pocketbook is a different size, but I saved and got the Leica Geovid 10x42 BRF, which has the built in range finder, and they are NICE. I am completely satisfied with them, they are very nice glass, plus with that built in rangefinder it eliminated one other piece of stuff in the ruck. They also have a 8x42 and an 8x56 I think. I sold the Swaro 8x56 SLC I had, but probably should have kept them also, they were also very nice. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Firstly, i would find a dealer or dealers close to each other and TRY them all, look in the shadows and look for contrast, how they feel in the hands and on the eyes and go with the pair that feel "right" for YOU, also i would recommend that you try and have a look through a pair of Nikon LXL as well before you flash the cash.
Dave

Seth,

Thanks.

bumscratcher,

Good advice indeed. After the research to me it always takes a good bit of trying, testing, looking & comparing to get what is right.

Dom,

I've noticed lately that your pockets must go all the way to your knees! Mine are still sewn shut - as they were the day I bought the (on Sale) pants.

Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski... there is very low diference between this 3 brands.
I would buy one of this and take a look on the price.
Faina

I'd probably try to find another pair of the older Zeiss 7x42BGATs which I have had for the last 11 years and which IMHO can't be beat for ergonomics

It's always a good idea to look thru a few possible choices, and the best way is to borrow some from a buddy and actually go out and sit for a few hours with them.

Ha Gerry, you're always good for a laugh , tks.

However, some of us still have to work for a living, that's what you get for "retiring" at 40, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Leica Utravids

If you can, go to a dealer who has both Zeiss and Leica in stock and compare them, outside of store on the street if that can be arranged, and then make your decision. I have now looked through both in different situations and find that under some conditions I prefer the Zeiss optics, but under other conditions the Leica's seem better. Optics may be a science but what you think you are seeing is little more complicated. I wouldn't make the final decision based on the relatively small price difference.

Our local Swarovski Crystal outfit had a few pairs of the new model SLC. In the 8x56 they have more eye releif than my beloved 8.5x58 Nikons. I like them! Excepting the $2000 price tag.

Leica Ultravid 8x42 is probably the top rated binocular in the world today. At $1800 or so it's really expensive. I thought my Zeiss Victory 10x40B was expensive at $900 ten years ago!

At the low end is the very highly rated Pentax DCF SP 8x32 at about $500. There's also an 8x43 for about $600.

If you want reliable reviews go to the bird watching sites and forums.

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