Tell me about your binoculars.

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gregintenn

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I'd like to upgrade my binoculars. I've started this search several times, and have determined it to be more frustrating than picking out a mattress.

I believe I'd like a pair of 8x, and do not want the compact model.

I want these strictly for deer hunting.

I'd like to find a pair I'd be happy with in the $200-$500 range, but would pay more if I saw the extra value in it.

Any suggestions, hints, opinions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Great question....

I have a real old pair of Zeiss 8x50... rubber-coated binocs... that I keep in my saddle bags. Absolutely excellent. In waning light... they look like bright sunlight is out. Really.

Also have a pair of Leupold Gold Ring... small binocs...

Ya know... I don't have any pics... and, like my guns, these are not insured...

If you want me to take some pics... I will. (Need to do that, anyway.)
 
That's easy, Steiner binoculars.

I have a pair of Steiner 8X30 Safari that I've had for around 10 years that I use for hunting. In your price range and absolutely awesome.

176793304.jpg


I like them so well I bought another set to use for work, Steiner MM830 Military-Marine 8x30. They are same style to the Safari model and are also in your price range.

Here's a link to check out the specifications. I think Bass Pro stocks them, but I've always bought mine on line.

MM830 Military-Marine 8x30 | Tactical Binoculars | Steiner Optics
 
A while back I was up in Northern NM with my buddy Gordon.
We were deer hunting and scouting for Elk.
I was carrying my old Canon 8x30s that I bought for $30 in the BX at Guam.
Gordon was carrying some pricey Leitz glass that cost more than my rifle.
He stops on a hill and we glass through his windshield. He starts screaming look at all them elk!
I say, I finally yield to the superiority to your over the top German glass, I don't see any.
He screams there a hundred or more out there! You can see them with your naked eye!
I was looking at the tree line.
A huge herd of elk was grazing out in a big open meadow, about a mile away.
I still have my old Canon's.
I now usually carry some 10 by 50 Nikons.
I always have miniatures in my SUV.
 
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If you haven't already, consider IS (image stabilizing) binoculars. Canon offers a line in your price range. I have a pair of 10X30 that I have had for 10 years. I REALLY like them. Very versatile...

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XOGP13S/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00004THDC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Z251A7M9QQ2P8FYSDQC"]Amazon.com: Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization II Binoculars: Camera & Photo@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ODwAZkTnL.@@AMEPARAM@@31ODwAZkTnL[/ame]
 
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I went looking for new binoculars a while back and ended up with Vortex Diamondback in 8x42. They were $229 and $60 less than a similar Nikon, but much more clear. Sure, 10x50 is nice, but not so nice to lug around in the field all day looking for elk and deer. And, sure, you can spend more money and get better glass. But, these are a great compromise for me in a mid-price binocular, with good vision and portability.
 
Mine are mid 1980's 1st generation Leupold 9x35 Porro prism hunting binoculars. Still like new and still great optics. They are also light and compact for a 9x binocular

I prefer a porro prism binocular over a (compact) roof prism binocular. Better depth perception with a Porro glass due to the wider separation of the objective lens's
 
I've had a pair of Nikon 10X42 Monarch's for over 7 years now, and they have met every criteria I need. They are large enough to hold onto, but not too heavy. They have a large enough lens to gather light for early morning or late afternoon. They are sharp and clear and do not cause any eye strain. I bought them for Prairie Dog hunting, where you spend "Hours" looking through the glasses during the day. My eyes don't get tired like they did on other brands or small compacts with smaller lenses. They cost around $300 so right in your price range. They are rubber armored and waterproof.
 
Nikon Monarchs have served me very well for 15 years. Go to Cabelas and check out the selection; then, go online to look for good deals.
 
I have a pair of Zeiss Terra Ed binoculars...and I also have a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks. Personally, the Zeiss Terra Eds are not the quality of the older Zeiss models.

The Vortex, in my opinion, are better opticals. Also, you can't beat the Vortex warranty. No matter what happens, short of theft or loss, Vortex will replace them free of charge, no questions asked.

Nikons scopes are good, but I really can't say the same for their binoculars, range finders, or spotting scopes. Also, their customer service is just plain poor. If something breaks, you can send it back to Nikon, but they'll charge you big time for repairs.

Also, Cabela's has the Vortex 8x42 Diamonbacks on sale now for $189.99. Pretty tough to beat a deal like that...expecially for Vortex quality.
 
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I look at things this way. For hunting or carrying binoculars even when you don't plan on needing any, my tiny Steiner pocket binoculars are great and they cost about $170 10 years ago. For sporting events or scouting out land in the pickup I have some medium size Nikon 8x30s that cost around $140. For anything else I have a Leupold 15-45x Sequoia Spotting scope. My binoculars are very bright and clear and I see no reason to spend more money. My Leupold spotting scope.... I'm a bit disappointed, its just not that clear for what it cost. Before that I had a Simmons spotting scope that I used once then threw it in my kids toy box, so I guess you have to spend some big money if you want a REALLY clear spotting scope.
 
Years ago I was able to get some Zeiss 8X30 with the armor on them. These things have been down the road. They are as advertised. Even loaned them to a friend for two trips to Africa. He also swears by them.
Probably pretty spendy by now.
I would also recommend the roof prism style.
 
I have an old Bushnell Rangemaster that I've had for nearly 50 years. They're only 7x but have a VERY wide field of view and just outstanding optics. They were made back before Bushnell started making "consumer " optics. A friend who had a good pair of Zeiss binocs always thought mine were every bit as good, and I have spotted elk with them several miles away. They're tough as iron and weigh about as much too. I liked them so well that I bought another pair off eBay a few years ago to use as backup. That's about the only place you might find them now but, for the money, you would be hard pressed to do better if you can find a pair in good shape.
 
When young, poor and cheap I went thru some lesser quality ones. Waste of Money.

I have 2 Leupold's one is 8x and small enough to fit in your shirt pocket. Nice but small field of vision.

I bought my wife a midrange pair of leupold 8xs. They work fine.

I bought myself a pair of Kahls 8x and they are pricey but not top dollar like some German-Japanese ones.

The Kahls are great. One day I was in the blind looking at Does 400 yards away with the Kahls. I then dialed in my wifes Leupolds. Couldn't really tell much difference. The Leupold were in the 200-300 range. The Kahles were 600 something on sale.

I am told if one glasses all day the high dollar ones cut back on your eye strain headache.
 
I use 10X-42 Leupolds.

I have used a lot of 7X and 8X binoculars over the years, but I like the improved detail you get with 10X. I tried 12X and zooms but had to rest them on a sand bag to see anything.
 
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