Need binocular advice

[Rich Richardson]

I’d like to buy binoculars to view objects from 100 yards to 3 miles, is that possible? Would I need 2 different pairs for these 2 distances? I read that if the magnification is too high it would be difficult to keep objects in view.
What brands would you recommend and where would be the best place to purchase.
Thank you

 

[ameridaddy]

How big are your objects?
In what kind of light - if overcast, dusty, twilight, you'll want a big objective lens to allow more light in, but that adds to weight. Are you gazing off your porch, or walking fields? Or are you on a boat?

If you get beyond about 10x magnification, you'll find that you will need a steady rest to keep your image from shaking so bad you can't use it.
What is your budget? You can get $50 eBay to $3,000 high end stuff.
Define your intended use a little more and plenty of people here will have good advice.

 

[rockquarry]

I've hunted elk for many years and in doing so, have spent much time, literally up to several hours out of a twelve-hour day glassing. This is the most demanding and most rigorous use of a binocular that I've experienced. I'm not an optical expert and can't speak all the optics lingo, but look at as many binoculars as possible.

There is an incredible amount of difference between a high quality binocular and a lesser one, but, in some situations, a lesser binocular may be all you need. Many think a cheaper, lower quality binocular is a good one until they actually use a good one. Again, you may not need the best, but I wouldn't buy something I thought I would outgrow.

 

[Onomea]

I miss TexasStar.

Another thing to consider is your use. Will you be in a car? Walking around? On a boat?

Ease of carry is important to me as I use mine when out walking. Keep 'em in my pocket. So mine are very compact 8x20s. Leica. They cost, discounted, around $700 though.

 

[Faulkner]

There are other things to consider when buying binoculars other than magnification such as size and weight. For me, along with quality, I find weight to be a significant decider because I usually carry mine for some distances in a backpack or around my neck.

For my use I don't typically need long distance view unless I'm looking at landscapes. For hunting and wildlife viewing one hundred yards is typical, two or three hundred is about max. As a result, I prefer 6X to 8X binoculars which gives me enough magnification and still have a good field of view.

Both my wife and I have a set Steiner 8x30 binoculars and I love them. German made, very good quality, and will run around $300 - $400. Steiner has a good selection of binoculars and I recommend them.

I have a set of 8x30 binoculars by Russian company Barska that are a copy of the Steiner's at about half the price. Whereas my Steiner's have been with me on several trips to Alaska and Hawaii and have proven to be a sturdy product, the Barska's are my "home" binoculars that we use around the homestead. They seem to be sturdy, I've just not put them to the test like I have Steiners.

I recently picked up a set of Leupold Yosemite 6x30 binoculars. I bought them because they are light weight and smaller size. They are lower power but also have a great field of view and I have been very pleased with the quality. Seems I paid around $150 for these.

I carry a pair of compact 8x21 binoculars in my duty bag. Made by Simmons these have taken a beating through the years but still do the job I need them to do. They'll easily fit in a jacket pocket and have a narrow field of view, but with good lighting I can read a license plate at 100 yards with them.

 

[Rich Richardson]

I’d like to view the mountains about 2 miles away and also view my property up to 150 yards. I’ll be ising them in bright sunlight mostly. I’d spend up to $300.

 

[Ranger514]

Those with deeper pockets will chime in, but I chose Nikon Monarch 10x42 for hunting and general viewing. They're a popular brand, and run around $300 or less. Check out ratings and pricing online. If you want greater power and light gathering in a quality optic, or features like built in range finding, you need a bigger budget than mine.

 

[Onomea]

Rich, I have a set of these: VANGUARD Endeavor ED 8x42 Binocular, ED Glass, Waterproof/Fogproof. They're less than $250 on Amazon. I use them for around home, but don't take them on walks/hikes.

Actually, I'd get the 10 x 42. They're the same price. The 8 x 42 would be better in low light, but that's not an issue for you. The 10 x 42 will bring the mountains in closer.

Since you won't be lugging them around, I don't think small and lightweight is important to you.

The above are well made for their price point. I'd read up, do your research in addition to soliciting opinions here. (That's half the fun anyway, the research.)

Adding a review of the Vanguard's: Vanguard Endeavor ED Binocular (Mid-priced Binoculars Review 2012 - by Michael and Diane Porter) Birdwatching.com says they compare favorably with glass costing $600. While MSRP is apparently $350, Amazon has them for $250.

 

[growr]

As you have described your useage, I would think a good spotting scope for your long distance viewing would be a good choice and then add a mid-price, mid-size 10x42 set of binoculars.

I buy, sell and trade optics all of the time and have found the Nikon Monarchs to be a great value, Sightron, Vortex and Kowa are also value packed binoculars. There are dozens of manufacturers in that market.

When price is no object, but clarity IS.....it is very hard to beat the German optics....Leica, Steiner, Swarovski and Zeiss.

Just MY thoughts on your solution.

Randy

 

[rockquarry]

Regarding binocular weight... If after a long day with a binocular around your neck and you notice the weight of the binocular, it's too heavy. The binocular I carry is around 30 ozs., I think. This has never been too heavy after years of use, but this figure will vary from person to person.

I use a good, wide strap only and I've never found this method of carrying to be lacking in any way. I've never used a harness and probably never will. I like simple; the harnesses are a bit too much of a gadget for my purposes, but may work well for others.

Some generalizations, not criticisms...I don't recall ever seeing a hunter in the field using a compact binocular, though I'm sure some do. If you're looking at distance or looking for detail, or using your binocular for long-term glassing, these small binoculars leave much to be desired, even if they're of very good quality. They're more for carrying than using and you need an objective diameter much larger than 20 or 25mm for best results.

Some say a binocular of 10x is hard to hold steady in your hands and that an 8x is better. This will depend on the individual. I've never had such a problem and prefer 10x over a lower power. Now 12x - I don't know; may need a tripod for steady holding. I've never tried a 12x. Get the highest power you can hold steady without the support of anything but your hands.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Looking at things from a fixed location?
That sounds like a job for a spotting scope to me.

 

[alwslate]

$300 isn’t a very big budget for binoculars. So in general I’d say buy a decent 10x50 poro prism model from Nikon. Despite their popularity because of the high end European look that Americans want, roof prism binoculars are inferior to poro prism models in image quality for the same price. For $300 focus on image quality not image

 

[billwill]

Vortex Binoculars, great product with lots of choices. Lifetime no BS warranty. Have several pairs and love them.

 

[woodsltc]

Vortex Binoculars, great product with lots of choices. Lifetime no BS warranty. Have several pairs and love them.

I also like the Vortex binos. You can't get a better warranty and they give you no hassle if you need to utilize it. The quality of the upper-end Vortex binos (Razor models) will rival the German brands and their lower priced models are well regarded.

As far as what size and magnification you need.....that's just something you need to check-out by actually holding and looking through some models. I like my Razor 10X42's for my uses.

Good luck on your search.


Don

 

[Big Cholla]

I spent 7 years as a desert Conservation Patrolman. I was covering an area that required me to be looking for activity from 500 yds. to 15 miles. I wound up carrying two sets of binoculars, a 8x40 and a 10x42 both by Burris. I tried four or five brands of popularly priced binocs until I settled on Burris. Because of the working conditions I was very hard on my binocs. After I retired I sent them both in to Burris for reconditioning. They rehabbed the 8x40s to like new and just replaced the 10x40 with a new set..........all at no cost to me. Would I liked to have a set of $2000 binocs? Sure, but my Burris got the job done very acceptably. I think that they are a first class product and the company is first class when it comes to customer service.

 

[Jessie]

If you’re hunting, birding or anything that makes you use them a lot, get the best you can afford since you’ll be spending a lot of time looking through them.
I spend more on binoculars than scopes for that very reason.

 

[terry_tr6]

along with an earlier post, you may want more than one device. If you are working from a porch or something similar looking at mountains, I'd go with a food spotting scope. 80mm is pretty good size without breaking the bank and a 15-60x zoom . No way can you hold that kind of binocular . And i like the 45 degree eyepieces for ease of viewing. also a good tripod or some way to fix mount it on a railing. [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-52250-Ultima-Spotting-Scope/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=innonote-20&linkId=31dd8f999133fc1231db0504b2053087&language=en_UShere\'s[/ame] a nice one,

 

[alwslate]

I believe the Burris brand of binoculars were all manufactured by Pentax as were some of their rifle scopes. A coworker bought an 8x40 Burris binocular that he liked very well. I have a couple of their 2.5x fixed power scopes and they have the slightly enlarged tube on the end just like the Pentax scopes.

 

[vinn]

vintage binoculars;

i collect and repair the old ones, too much plastic on the new ones. my favorite is the Nikon.

 

[MRB1]

I've got a cabinet full of unused binoculars that were pawn shop finds, and it's surprising the junk that carries a name brand. The best I ever had was, surprisingly, a Cabela's branded binocular that I'm sure was made by Swarovski, or another German maker. The 'good enough' binocs are acceptable, until you look through a high quality pair - then you're ruined. To be safe, but a little more than you can afford.