High End Binoculars

[Onomea]

Leica 8x20 BCL Ultravid. I like these because in addition to being very sharp, they fit in a shirt pocket. I like taking them with me on hikes.





Unfortunately, I dropped them from about a meter onto the concrete floor of my patio earlier this summer and they would no longer focus properly. I’ve sent them back to Leica for repairs.

I also have a set of Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42s, which cost considerably less than half as much as the Leicas. Excellent bang for the buck, although a lot bigger and heavier, as one would expect.

 

[Shark Bait]

Leica 8x20 BCL Ultravid. I like these because in addition to being very sharp, they fit in a shirt pocket. I like taking them with me on hikes.

Hmm, I like those.

 

[Ματθιας]

I'm cheap. I buy surplus or pawn shop Binos. I have a WW2 bausch and lomb Mark 21 7x50 Bu. Aero w/case. Clear and sharp. I think I paid $100.

I also have a pair of Russian 12x45. I don't know who makes them, it's in Cyrillic script, but they're also crystal clear.

I also have some US and Soviet, I think they're 6x30 with the range finding reticles. They are also, bright and clear.

 

[s&wchad]

My son has a Leica 8x42 Ultravid and a Geovid 10X42 with range finder and my Trinovid 8x32 and several Zeiss and other top items by B&L, etc.

He may sell the Ultravid and get 10x42 Noctavid, as he doesn't need an 8X42, as he has a B&L Elite that I Gave him.

I’ve got some older Bausch and Lomb optics and you’re right, they are excellent! My B&L binoculars are 8x42’s and I love them and use them for whitetail hunting.

I have to admit, I’m cheap and the majority of my guns, knives and optics were purchased used. I appreciate outstanding customer service. S&W, Leupold, Swarovski and Cutco offer service second to none. That’s the main reason why Swarovski is my high-end optics choice.

If money was no object and I was buying all my optic’s new, I’d probably focus on Leica, Schmidt and Bender and Nightforce.

 

[Ray]

The only one I have was a gift from a friend, a Steiner Firebird T 8 X 30. Don´t know how it compares to the other brands/models cited but it´s good.
Regards, Ray

 

[Texas Star]

Shark Bait-

Congratulations on your terrific win.

 

[Big Cholla]

I would have liked very much to have owned a big name quality set of binocs, but in the rough and tumble world of policing by Jeep and Airplane I had to settle for relatively cheap and durable. After trying three other brands I selected Burris' Signature HD of the Porro design. I first bought the 8x42 and liked them very much. After about a year of desert patrol I wanted slightly more power so bought the same binoc in 10x42. Those lasted me until retirement. I then sent both sets into Burris for IRAN (inspect, repair as necessary) service. They rehabbed the 8x42 to like new and just sent me a brand new binoc in 10x42. The service person told me that in all good conscience they would not repair the much longer used 10x42. The total cost to me was nothing from Burris and just the original cost of postage sending them. The Steiner, Swarovski, Leicas, etc., are great for bragging rights, but give me affordability, performance and durability. IMHO, The "Forever Warranty" makes the Burris Signatures the total package.

 

[brucev]

I have been pleased with a pair of Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine binoculars purchased for I believe $100 back when they were made in W. Germany. That would be about 1982. Best $100 I've spent. Eye cups wore out. Steiner sent new eye cups at no charge. Have used the tar out of these glasses. Very much like the individual focus eye pieces. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[llowry61]

Quite a few years back I bought a set of Leupold Wind River Cascades Green Ring 10x42, priced just south of $300. They have worked great. Granted they are not in the same cost ball park as the S, L brands, but for a one time Pronghorn hunt in Wyoming, they were what I needed at a decent price point. I use them for Whitetail hunting scouting etc. They are bright and clear. If I was doing a lot of western big game spot and stalk hunting, I would have invested in a quality spotting scope and binos, but just didn't ever need them.

 

[Stevens]

I have several brands, bought or inherited, my favorite are the Steiner Military/Marine I have 2 pair, one 8x30 the other 7 x 50 which have been banged around on various fishing and cruising boats. Good optics, rugged and dependable.
Steve W

 

[woodsltc]

I have a pair of 10X42 Vortex Razor HD's that I really like. For the money I think they are a good quality bino that rivals the high-end European brands.

Don

 

[Igiveup]

For the last five years or so I have used a Vortex 10x42 Diamondback. They are always on the floor board of the pickup for quick retrieval. I don't think I need anything else in glass. Bang for the buck.

 

[Chukar60]

I have a set of Steiner compact 6X that I like for hunting due to the size and they are a a pretty good glass.
My favorite pair is a set of. 10x50 Bruntons that I bought at a closing business sell about 20 years ago. They are wonderfully clear and cause zero eye strain. Plus nobody else I know owns or has even heard of Brunton.

 

[Benchrest1]

I'm a big fan of Swarovski and have four pairs of their binos.

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

When I was in Germany for 5 years, I bought Doppelfernrohr 10x80 Flakfemrohr that were made in 1936 for aircraft observation, one of my neighbors asked if I knew anyone that was in market for good optics. I checked them out, asked the price, and said sold. This was in 1975. I was told they made by Emil Busch.

IMHO these 10x80s are the best I've seen.

 

[Texas Star]

I have a set of Steiner compact 6X that I like for hunting due to the size and they are a a pretty good glass.
My favorite pair is a set of. 10x50 Bruntons that I bought at a closing business sell about 20 years ago. They are wonderfully clear and cause zero eye strain. Plus nobody else I know owns or has even heard of Brunton.

As in Brunton compasses?

 

[steveno]

before I bought the 8 x 30 Zeiss I looked at the 10 x 40 and 7 x 42 Zeiss. the 7 x 42 was the best but wouldn't fit in a coat pocket

 

[Texas Star]

before I bought the 8 x 30 Zeiss I looked at the 10 x 40 and 7 x 42 Zeiss. the 7 x 42 was the best but wouldn't fit in a coat pocket

You may want to check the current Zeiss lineup. I suspect that your purchase was about when I bought my 10x40B/GA, around 1986. Fitting in a coat pocket wasn't an issue for me. I use monoculars or mini binoculars for that.

You probably found that 7X42 brighter due to the 42mm objective lenses and the 6mm exit pupil.

 

[steveno]

another brands to look at was Kahles. they were not quite as expensive as some of the other brands but they were really good

 

[Frank46]

Have an older pair of Steiner 8x30's that are probably 25 years old. Never gave me any trouble and still use them today. Frank