Binocular suggestions

[Rimbaud]

I have a pair of Steiner's in 10x42. They are good, and bright, and a bit heavy. I treated myself go Swaro 10x42 Els (no range finder) for last year's Namibia hunt, and I'm glad that I did. The Steiners are good but the Swaros are great. How much better? I can see individual hair on animals, and incredible detail. Not inexpensive - my first car cost less - but totally worth it.

 

[WAB]

I’ve got Steiners and Vortex. Surprisingly I find the Vortex to be better quality. One of these days I’m going to bite the bullet and buy the Swaro 10x42’s. IMO they are the ultimate bino.

 

[fourfive8]

800 is a very good price at Europtic for the Zeiss Conquest 10. Those are good binocs! I'm like everyone else, always torn between the 8X and the 10X. So not much help there. Seems if I'm carrying a 6X compact I need more. If I'm carrying 8X I need a little more. The 10X are usable for most everything but are obviously a little heavier. Lately I've just settled on the 10X and called it good.

 

[Areaonereal]

I have used a 10x42 Vortex Diamondback for 6 trips to SA and Namibia on a Rock Young Harness and have never felt that I needed more in quality or durability. The current pricing on these is absolutely ridiculous for the quality they provide, also have the 850 Vortex range finder....excellent

 

[damundsen87]

I'd go with a set of Leica trinovids or the zeiss conquest. They both retail for right at 1k. The vortex razors that others have mentioned are the same price but are made in china instead of Europe. I sell optics for a living and deal with literally hundreds of broken vortex optics every year. They are the Kia of the optics world. Crummy product with a top notch warranty.

 

[BeeMaa]

Yepper...Buy Once, Cry Once.
Might as well add in a rangefinder into those binos.
Keep you from toting around binos AND a separate rangefinder

The Leica Geovid-R w/EHR (equivalent horizontal range) Gen 1 is available for ~$1600.
https://www.eurooptic.com/40428-Leica-Leica-Geovid-R-Yards-w-EHR-10x42--Binocular-4042.aspx
If you keep your eyes peeled on eBay, you can usually find a used set for less than ~$1000.

 

[wesheltonj]

I would recommend the Leica Trinovid too in that price range. Zeiss is also excellent. I Prefer 10x42 myself.

Range-finding Binos, Leica has out a new Bluetooth model, that will sync with a Kestrel, maybe someday.

 

[WAB]

That is a decent deal on the Swaro 10x32 EL’s that was pointed out. I’ve kind of had my heart set on the 10x40’s. Does anyone have experience with the 10x32 EL’s? I’m wondering how they are in low light.

 

[Jeffrey]

WAB, I have the 10X30 CLs. I looked through the EL 10X32s, and I didn’t notice a huge increase in quality. The 10X42 EL Ranges look amazing; I’ve looked through them but not in low light. If I lived in the mountains I’d prolly buy those EL Ranges.

 

[BeeMaa]

That is a decent deal on the Swaro 10x32 EL’s that was pointed out. I’ve kind of had my heart set on the 10x40’s. Does anyone have experience with the 10x32 EL’s? I’m wondering how they are in low light.

I compared the Swaro 10x42EL to the Leica 10x42HD-B 3000 at early dawn hours.
There is a very minute difference for those with eyes trained to see such things.
In the end I liked the color transmission of the Leica over the Swaro.
Also the Swaros put my (larger) hands too close together and made it uncomfortable to hold.
The bump housing the electrics on the bottom of the Swaros was off putting as well.
These three factors lead me to getting the Leica's.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

buy the best that you can afford!!!!
dont skimp on binocs, u wont be sorry
zeiss, leica, swarovski

 

[samu]

Many of you seem to prefer 10x magnification. Do you feel like needing support when using them? I'm considering Kahles RF that is offered both in 8x and 10x.

 

[Goose Cracker]

I have little Meopta 10x32s that I love. Light, durable, and very clear/bright. They’ve been to Africa, deer stalking in England 2x, and snowy Saskatchewan. They sat with me in the deer stand here in GA as well. Love these little binos. Got a great deal on them on eBay as I recall. Definitely in your price range.

At some point I’ll get some rangefinder binos. Have used the Leica Geovids and Swaros. Didn’t like the Swaros - my Vortex rangefinder would range animals the Swaro wouldn’t. Also didn’t like the ergonomics. The new Leicas are really nice, but they are heavy. All the nice rangefinding binos seem really heavy.

 

[WAB]

Weight is a definite issue for the type of hunting I do. Personally I don’t see the value of a rangefinder from 400 yds in when using a rifle. You should be able to estimate the range within 25 to 50 yards. With a decent knowledge of your trajectory you should be fine.

 

[JimP]

I have never had any problems holding 10x binoculars steady and even a few 12x ones. But when you start getting up into the 15x and above you really should have a tripod to sit them on. For a long time I used a pair of 12x25's that were my go to backpacking ones until I moved to some 10x42's.

 

[BeeMaa]

Many times I will steady the binos on shooting sticks or a tree...etc.
If not, I bring my elbows together and into my chest to get as stable as possible.
When sitting or kneeling it's much less of a problem.

 

[Milan]

Meopta Optika HD 10x42. 10 power will get you a better recognition of horn size at bigger distances. Why Meopta? Nearly half the price of any equivalent model competition (eve Leupold) but better glass than them and lighter (630g) due to magnesium body. Sturdy, quality feel. Others feel like plastic toys. If you want better than this, then shell out for Leica Trinovid 10x42. A bit heavier than Meopta but glass is better and again weight is less than other binos (Ultravid may be the same weight and even better glass but more money too), even the bigger Geovid Leica models (again more money).

 

[sambarhunter]

I made the mistake of taking 8x20`s on a fallow deer hunt in Tassy....ouch,they were useless in the low early and late light...USELESS!

 

[Jeffrey]

sambarhunter, yes I’ve found specifically deer hunting I like larger objective, larger exit pupil binos. Deer seem to move the most at first and last light so at least a 5mm exit pupil is best. Especially in a deer stand I’ve come to prefer my 50mm Steiner Military Marines. I have both the 7X50 and the 10X50 models and they’re both excellent at low light.

 

[TMac]

Use the Cabela’s 10x42 Euro Optics, which are rebranded Meopta’s. They are right with Swarovski SLC’s and the like. Great glass for less.