Binoculars, Any suggestions?
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My wife (girlfriend at the time) got my a set of Celestron Outland 8x42s. Crystal-clear, durable, and a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty. They run about $65-70 online, a bit more in a retail shop. I think they have 10x50s too. I take them hunting as part of my normal kit. If you're doing longer hikes you might find them a bit heavy.
Jim Shugart
Member
I bought Canon 10X30 IS back when they first came out (for much more money) and have been completely satisfied with them.
The GF at that time was a serious birder and had a pair of $$$$ Swarovski's. She kept sneering at by binoc's until one day when a bunch of us were trying to see some little bird hiding in a bush and she said, "Here, can I borrow those for a minute?"
The GF at that time was a serious birder and had a pair of $$$$ Swarovski's. She kept sneering at by binoc's until one day when a bunch of us were trying to see some little bird hiding in a bush and she said, "Here, can I borrow those for a minute?"
cbpotel
Member
If you have deep pockets you can get Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski. Mine aren't deep so I have Nikon Monarch 10x42s, I also have a pair of Burris Signature 10x50s. They both are great, the Burris binocs are slightly better and have a lifetime guarantee. This does not diminish the quality of the Nikons. They are both superb. The real high priced binocs mentioned above will excell in low light at dawn and dusk. It just depends on how much you want to spend. I will suggest that you buy above the perceived limit to the point where it hurts a little then you'll be assured of good quality optics.
Any high end European brand is a safe bet. 8x32 are the general purpose size. Depending on your intended use, also consider the "compact" size optics. My GP glasses are Swarovski SLC 10x42, superbly suited for hunting, birding, and any purposeful use, but they're relatively large and heavy, and require a "harness" for comfortable carry. For more casual use, I have a compact 8x20 set, which literally fits in a shirt pocket, unnoticed until needed, but up to most casual long distance observation tasks. The compacts are slow to deploy (making them generally unsuitable for birding), but way better than the optics you left behind because they were a PIA.
Check these dudes out.
http://www.buytelescopes.com/
They also sell guns and binoculars.
If you are on a budget. I like my Steiner Safari 8x22s. I got 'em on sale for about $70. I dropped them from a park bench into gravel last week. No fuss. No Muss. No scratches.
<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/414245/binoculars_review_steiner_safari_8x22.html?cat=15" target="_blank">Binocular Review: Steiner Safari 8x22
</a>
Of course, if you are on a really tight budget, you could try Tasco Essentials 8x21s. If you don't like 'em throw 'em in your dashboard. They are only about $10.
Binocular Review: Tasco Essentials 8x21 Binoculars
If I was buying binoculars willy nilly, I'd probably go for something medium-sized like Leupold 8x40s.
http://www.buytelescopes.com/
They also sell guns and binoculars.
If you are on a budget. I like my Steiner Safari 8x22s. I got 'em on sale for about $70. I dropped them from a park bench into gravel last week. No fuss. No Muss. No scratches.
<a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/414245/binoculars_review_steiner_safari_8x22.html?cat=15" target="_blank">Binocular Review: Steiner Safari 8x22
</a>
Of course, if you are on a really tight budget, you could try Tasco Essentials 8x21s. If you don't like 'em throw 'em in your dashboard. They are only about $10.
Binocular Review: Tasco Essentials 8x21 Binoculars
If I was buying binoculars willy nilly, I'd probably go for something medium-sized like Leupold 8x40s.
A little bit of clarification, and you may know it already...
The relative brightness of the binocs (any optic, really, and this includes riflescopes) is a function of exit pupil. Exit pupil is determined by the objective size (the end that goes towards what you're looking at) and the magnification.
To determine exit pupil, divide the objective diameter by the power.
So, a 10(power)x50(mm objective) = 5mm exit pupil. The theoretical max of useful pupil is about 7-8mm. It's also harder to keep an image in view when the exit pupil falls below about 3mm - it just gets very wiggly.
Of course, this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ...
The relative brightness of the binocs (any optic, really, and this includes riflescopes) is a function of exit pupil. Exit pupil is determined by the objective size (the end that goes towards what you're looking at) and the magnification.
To determine exit pupil, divide the objective diameter by the power.
So, a 10(power)x50(mm objective) = 5mm exit pupil. The theoretical max of useful pupil is about 7-8mm. It's also harder to keep an image in view when the exit pupil falls below about 3mm - it just gets very wiggly.
Of course, this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ...
Only pair I have are a pair of Minolta 7 X 50. Nice binoculars and not too expensive.
For the most part, binocs are truly a 'get what you pay for' proposition. My favorite for size, weight, magnification, etc, the total package are Leica 8X32's, they are awesome. I've got a pair of Swarovski 7X42's as well, great glass, but a bit on the big size.
jp zanoya
Member
Steiner PREDATOR 8X30.Compact, rugged and excellent quality at an affordable price--200-250.00.
loubob608
US Veteran
I got a pair of Nikons Action 10x50's from www.binoculars.com for <$100. Nice binoculars, very clear. I think they have free shipping too.
Texas Star
US Veteran
If possible choose between Leica and Zeiss.
If on a budget, see if Swift still makes their 8.5X44 Audubon roof prism glasses. They have been been an exceptional value.
I own all three, but that Swift has impressed me as being the best deal on the market, and I've used and owned most famous brands. I won't say that they are fully the equal of the others, but for about $450 at discount places, they come surprisingly close. They easily eclipsed some other famous brands made in Japan.
Frankly, I am not as impressed with some of those Japanese items as some reviewers have been.
Turn the binocular over and examine it inside for lint, fingerprints, smudges, fungus and other things that shouldn't be there. Use a strong flashlight. I think you'll find the German brands and Swarovski to have consistently the highest quality control, although individual examples of the best Jap items can also be good. (I have used only one Kahles glass, and it was fine.)
On used optics, do that test, and also look for hazing of the lenses caused by leaving the binocular in a hot car. The rubber in the seals will be vaporized and cloud the lenses. Do NOT NOT NOT leave optics in hot cars!
T-Star
P.S. Has anyone here ever noticed that my abbreviated name is Zeiss's lens and prism coating? (T-*) It was a coincidence, but it amuses me a little. But then, I'm easily amused...
If on a budget, see if Swift still makes their 8.5X44 Audubon roof prism glasses. They have been been an exceptional value.
I own all three, but that Swift has impressed me as being the best deal on the market, and I've used and owned most famous brands. I won't say that they are fully the equal of the others, but for about $450 at discount places, they come surprisingly close. They easily eclipsed some other famous brands made in Japan.
Frankly, I am not as impressed with some of those Japanese items as some reviewers have been.
Turn the binocular over and examine it inside for lint, fingerprints, smudges, fungus and other things that shouldn't be there. Use a strong flashlight. I think you'll find the German brands and Swarovski to have consistently the highest quality control, although individual examples of the best Jap items can also be good. (I have used only one Kahles glass, and it was fine.)
On used optics, do that test, and also look for hazing of the lenses caused by leaving the binocular in a hot car. The rubber in the seals will be vaporized and cloud the lenses. Do NOT NOT NOT leave optics in hot cars!
T-Star
P.S. Has anyone here ever noticed that my abbreviated name is Zeiss's lens and prism coating? (T-*) It was a coincidence, but it amuses me a little. But then, I'm easily amused...
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I have at least 6 pair of binoculars, some of them very expensive. Once I purchased the Canon Image Stabilizers, the rest are now decorating my shelf. The Canon I/S are "the nut"!!
Check out the binoculars sub-forum at:
http://www.birdforum.net/
Birders are more demanding in their optics requirements than hunters ever thought about being!
http://www.birdforum.net/
Birders are more demanding in their optics requirements than hunters ever thought about being!
m657
Member
Consider these factors:
1) how good are your eyes?
2) how much will you really be using them?
3) how many times do you want to buy econo style instead of a really good set of lenses?
My own story abbreviated:
1) mine got worse;
2) the GOOD ones will find you using and ENJOYING them a LOT;
3) I saved so much money each (and every) time I bought a cheapo pair, that finally when I ran across a really really REALLY good price on used Zeiss 10x40 I could afford them. Last binos I had to buy.
Snatch up the used primo kind and you won't be wishing you bought something better as your eyes begin to age....*kaff*kaff*
1) how good are your eyes?
2) how much will you really be using them?
3) how many times do you want to buy econo style instead of a really good set of lenses?
My own story abbreviated:
1) mine got worse;
2) the GOOD ones will find you using and ENJOYING them a LOT;
3) I saved so much money each (and every) time I bought a cheapo pair, that finally when I ran across a really really REALLY good price on used Zeiss 10x40 I could afford them. Last binos I had to buy.
Snatch up the used primo kind and you won't be wishing you bought something better as your eyes begin to age....*kaff*kaff*
dovekiller
Member
Don't buy anything until you try out a pair with Image Stabilisation. I am surprised that only one person here has even mentioned it. It is usually indicated by the letters "IS" in the name or designation for the binoc.
Press the little button while looking thru the glass and the effect will blow your mind. IS will make a 10X image solid as a rock. Totally wipes out all hand shake.
Press the little button while looking thru the glass and the effect will blow your mind. IS will make a 10X image solid as a rock. Totally wipes out all hand shake.
Sara Noh
Member
I borrowed a pair of Steiner Predators this past deer seasoon, they are a very nice glass for the money. There's nothing in the world like German/Austrian optics, I just bought a set of Khales 8X42 off eBay. Awesome binocs, I paid about 1/2 current retail and I am very satisfied, can't wait to take them deer hunting.
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