Binoculars....What you use and why?

Pup

I feel it's about time I upgrade my hunting optics from the $59.99 Tasco special to something with a bit more quality. So while I'm saving up I'd like to know which brands those on this board use. I've been looking at the $300 price range, because there's no way I can justify $700-1000 for some Ziess or Swarovski models. I've been looking through the latest Cabelas catalog and have noticed some very nice Leopold, Nikon, and Brunton models that feature roof-prisms and something called "phase coated optics". Do any of you have these or something similar? What would you recommend in this price range that will be used for hunting and the occasional nature viewing?

Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often and for the same reason.

BT99

I use a pair of Ziess 10 x 42. I tried numerous makes and found these
had the best optics, and are not bulky. AND my wife gave them to me
for a birthday present/\.

gunpaq

I use a cheap $12 pair from Bushnell via WalMart because I'm just too cheap.

Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.

reb8600

I use the cheap busnell and simmons. They work just fine, I have looked through the expensive ones and I dont see enough difference o justify the price.

Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.

bullelk

Pup,
Depending what you're going to use them for will make a difference on your choice. I know you said for hunting, but what kind and how far you have to glass. Size and weight will become a factor here.

This is what I use and the type of hunting I do. I mostly use a pair of Zeiss 10x25 compacts that I carry all the time for my on foot hunting out west. They aren't too bad in the woods here in Maine at times, 6 or 8 power wide angles would be better. They are very clear, and easy to focus. You don't have to screw around with the diopter adjustment like I had to with my Nikons. (The Nikons are now history).

The prices have come down quite a bit on the Zeiss, I'm going to say around $300 or less. I paid $400 for mine, and I like them a lot.

When I use my horse, I take a pair of 12x50's that I keep in the saddle bags. Those are going to be history this year, I'm going up to either Zeiss or Swarovski's. Those are to big, bulky and heavy to carry on foot.

Another route you can go for an in between pair is something in the 8x32, 10x40 range in a good quality glass.

I don't know how old you are, but if you're a young fella, buy the best, even if you have to finance them. That way you will have the best and they will last a lifetime. Hope this helps.
bullelk

"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"

groundhog devastation

I have had several pairs of cheaper binocs over the years. One night this winter I was playing around on another auction site and bought a pair of PENTAX 12x42DCF HR. The bid was 90 dollars less than dealer price! I didn't think I'd get them and when the little you've got mail notice popped up and the mail said I was the winner I was highly surprised. They have been one of the best surprises in my optic experiences!! Very clear and sharp compared to the Busnells and other cheaper binocs I had used. They are clear enough and powerful enough to use for a spotter at the 100 yard bench. They would be my choice in that 300 and under range. GHD

mbrook

I also use a Pentax that would fall in your price range and are very high quality. I use the Pentax 8x32 DCF WP for my whitetail binocs. They are fairly light and compact. I also used a pair of Pentax DCF WP 10x42 hunting antelope and mulies out west. There were a couple of pairs of high priced optics on the antelope hunt. We traded off binoculars and others that had $1000 binocs on the trip were very impressed with the Pentax 10x42 DCF WP. They cost me about $330 new at auction.

"When one responsibly procures his family's dinner by hand, each meal becomes a sacred rite. It is good, and so is the feast!" --Ted Nugent

barto

i use the aformentioned $59 whatevers because all the grandkids also use them.
that way, some of the worry is removed.
barto

the hard stuff we do right away - the impossible takes a little longer

axlerfan

Keep a set of Pentax 10x50 in the truck...great for checkin out which babes at the park you wanna go meet....oh and they work well in the mountains for lookin at deer/elk, etc too

bullelk

Pup,
Those 12x50 I use are Pentax. They are a damn good binocular, and I forgot to mention, Those are the ones I keep in my truck also, but they are to damn heavy to carry all day.
One problem I find on the Japenese binoculars is the diopter adjustment.
It seems the worse your eyes get, the more you have to fool with that adjustment to get the best focus out of them.
I don't have to fool with that on my Zeiss binoculars, it stays in the center position all the time. I also find the same goes on my Zeiss and Schmidt&Bender scopes.
I don't care what they say, the Germans and Austrians have it over everyone else when it comes to optics. Problem is that they are expensive, but not for the long haul. You get what you pay for.


Barto, How is your Brother doing?

Gino



Edited by - bullelk on 06/16/2002 13:21:16

barto

bullelk-
thanks for asking. he just started his second round of chemotherapy on sat.($30k per round).
combined with the radiation treatments he's one sick puppy. still upbeat, though. thank god for the veterans hospital!
barto

the hard stuff we do right away - the impossible takes a little longer

He Dog

I have several binoculars and use different ones for different purposes. For hunting I use a pair of 8x42 Eagle Optics Rangers. www.eagleoptics.com which are an outstanding value in the $400 range. I save the big guns (Leica 8x and Nikon Venturers 10x)for birding. Also take a look at www.bearbasin.com when you figure out what you want. Take a look also at this site for evaluations:
http://www.ornith.cornell.edu/publications/livingbird/spring99/binos.html

bullelk

Barto,
I hope he makes out alright. Hopefully, If I take my trip out to Idaho this fall, I'll take a ride over to meet with you. Somehow I'll keep in touch.

bullelk@psouth.net

bullelk

He Dog,
I meant to tell you, I just picked up a pair of older Nikons 12x36 roof prisms. They are like new and in their original case. I haven't really tried them out yet, but I think they will be alright.
They are not too big or too heavy, so I might try these for a while. (But I still like my Zeiss)

bullelk

"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"

He Dog

12x36 is a lot of magnification for the amount of light the 36mm objective will transmit, but that is the trade off for lighter weight. They should be decent in well lighted situations. I have used the Rangers and Leicas together in a variety of situations, and find the Rangers are as good in all but the very poorest light. That is seldom a big issue in New Mexico, but certainly can be in other parts of the country. I use a harness or attach the binos to my fanny pack or back pack harness when hunting, which takes a lot of weight off my sore old neck. Worth a try for guys that use heavy binos. Got 'em from Eagle Optics. Their brand is the same as the Swarovskies for half the price of the Swarovski harness.

bullelk

He Dog,
I realize that, but I got them for a hell of a price, so I couldn't refuse them. I will still get a pair with a much larger objective.
I'm thinking in the lines of a 10x56.
By the way, I just got the word today that Zeiss may introduce a 12x56 Victory model early next year. I may wait for that.

bullelk

"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"