Binoculars

Wolf.

I have been looking for new binoculars and cant decide on the ones I want. Stiener night hunter 10+50.Or burris signature 10+50.Give me some inpute on each and maby some alternate I might want to consider.

Wolf.

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I am shopping for a good pair of field glasses. I have pretty much narrowed the search down to Leupold, Leica, Steiner, Zeiss and maybe Nikon.

I am thinking 8x30 or 8x40 or 10x30 or 10x40 and I am leanining more toward the 8x power glasses. Right now, I am thinking Zeiss might be the one.

My intent is to get a pair that have exceptional light-gathering capabilities (i.e. they present a very bright image) along with exceptionally clear, crisp-focused imaging. Of course, they must be able to stand up to normal field use and temperature extremes. I do not have access to a local source that has a selection of glasses that I can physically examine and compare.

Who out there owns any of these binoculars and what are your thoughts?

EDIT:
Thanks very much to all of you for your insight on these glasses. I think, then, that I will go with an 8x40 or 8x42. I'll use these for fairly rough, brushy country for deer and hogs, mostly. I like to glass for other animals, too, such as mountain lion, turkey and coyote, but I don't hunt them.

Wolf.

Just wanted to give some feedback on good binoculars for the buck. I use WWII military binoculars made by Bausch & Lomb in 7x50 power. They are a little on the heavy side but the clarity is excellent and once you adjust them for your eyes you don't have to re-adjust them. A pair in really nice shape can cost around $100.00 on e-bay.
Another pair I use is a pair of German WWII 7X50 which cost a little more but are worth it. They are Carl Zeiss binoculars. On both binoculars, each eyepiece adjust seperately. I've used mine for years and think they are great.

Wolf.

I'm looking to buy a really good pair of binoculars for deer scouting, deer hunting etc. What are some of the best brands, and what size should I be looking for in general. Thanks,

molitor12_08

Wolf.

Does anyone have any experience with the Steiner predator series binoculars? My question is how are they as a multi purpose binocular? Is the color enhancement feature suited for hunting or can you get true color using them at a football game. I don't know if I should purchase those or the windriver cascade series. Thanks for the advice.

Wolf.

I have a set of nice binoc's (Celestron 10x40) that I've had for years and love'em, however the rubber eye cups are dry-rotting and brittle. My question is has anyone here ever found any replacements cups or parts anywhere for ANY brand, anywhere? have tried the manufacturer and their customer service is "zero", even e-mails there's no response. Any suggestions, don't want to trash a excellant high dollar binoc's just because of the eye cups going bad. Any help is appreciated.

MBK

I went thru a whole bunch of trial binocs bought on eBay.
My use is back and forth scanning for varmints, and I find a light pair of Pentax UCF's to be my favorits. The power is low, they are 8x24s. But they do not require frequent refocus, and they are light weight.

I contrast this with some Bushnell Custom Compacts which need focus every few seconds for slightly different distances, and to Fuji or Alpen 10x binocs which are too powerful to work with for a long time.

My second best for steady use are some old 7x35 Bushnell Falcons.

I must have bought 15 pairs last year, that is my take.

glabray

I have owned or used most of what you described. For a bright image, you want to go with either the 8x40 or 10x40. The larger the objective lens the more light that comes in. The higher the power the less steady the image will be unless you use a rest or spring for image $tabilization. The 8x is generally somewhat lighter and smaller also. For that reason, a lot of people feel 10x is too much power although it is my personal preference. If rapidity of focus is important to you might want to consider a center lever focus model instead of the more standard wheel. As to the optical qualitly, most of the top names are pretty good possibly differing slightly in clarity at the extreme edges of the field of view. If you might be using them in foggy or rainy weather you will want to make sure you buy a water PROOF model not just water resistant. Also, a couple of makers have recently come out with models especially for use in wet weather. These have a lens coating that allows the entire water droplet to slide off instead of leaving some on the lens. I've used the new Bushnell model that has that and it is terrific.

wtroper

I have experience with Nikon Monarchs both 8x42 and 10x42, Zeiss conquest ABK 8x42, and Leupold Gold Ring 8x42. I recently purchased both the Zeiss & the Leupold. My opinion is that the Leupold binos are slightly better than the Zeiss. I also believe that both are very good binos. Both are better than the Nikons. However, the Leupold's are larger and heavier. If I were walking and climbing mountains, I would likely carry the Zeiss.

I also agree with your choice of 8X. I like them better than the 10Xs.

Hope this helps.

sandwarrior

Wolf,

By your profile I would assume you will be hunting the coastal Mountains?, Sierra's? Or maybe making the trip somewhere where they allow hunting in general to happen.

I've got several opinions about what to get for big country and what to get for 'not-so-big country'. I see by the ones you have narrowed down you've at least allowed yourself a decent budget.

For big country I really liked my Nikon's. Very clear They were 16X. A lot of people couldn't understand how I held them still to see game a mile or better away. I simply use the same principles that you do when shooting prone unsupported. Of course if you can find a support. A tripod is nice, but rocks piled up with a glove laid on top gives a lot of stability. I would also recommend the Swarovski 12X or 15x. Leupolds are alright although clarity could be a smidge better. I have a friend with Steiner Predator roof prisms. They are very nice for picking deer out within 1k but are a little underpowered for the long range glassing I like to do. I have a pair of Steiner 15x56 Bighorns (which I understand they don't make anymore?) that sometimes amaze me and sometimes frustrate me greatly. They have auto focus and I find that with them I want to zero in on something and all of a sudden my eyes start getting tired. I go back and refocus and it's better. But they are difficult for me in that respect. The 'auto' ain't so auto to me.

For shorter distances in thicker cover I would definitely not go over an 8x. Swaro SLC's(7 or 8x) are a very good buy for this group. Their clarity can also do reasonably well at longer ranges in open country. Steiner makes good 7x50's, Leupold makes some good ones as well. All of the ones you mentioned are good brands for this type glassing.

41 nut

I bought a pair of Steiner 10X50 last spring and am very happy with them. Good focus, great light gathering capability and light.

FEENIX

quote:Originally posted by 41 nut
I bought a pair of Steiner 10X50 last spring and am very happy with them. Good focus, great light gathering capability and light.


+1, esp. the Predator series http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/predator/predator.html

swearengine

I have both Leica Ultravid 10x42 and Zeiss Classic 10x40. As a professional outfitter spending a large portion of time glassing for game at long distance, I highly recommend the 10x. The majority of bird watchers who are generally not glassing that far away prefer 8x. Between the Leica and the Zeiss, the Leica is far superior. I use the Leica 100% of the time and let my clients use the Zeiss if they wish. My clients have arrived in camp with Leupold Gold Ring, Leupold Wind River, Nikon, Zeiss Conquest, Steiner, and various Pacific rim makes. Out of curiousity, all have tried my Zeiss Classic's and all have left their binos back at camp when we have gone out hunting. The only clients who have not done so are the ones who have Leica, Swarovski, or Zeiss Classic.

scott

Heres my two cents...
I have likely owned close to 200 pair of binoculars over the last 10 years. I am a hunter and outdoor enthusist, but not a birder. I have owned Zeiss, swarovski, docter, leica, leupold , nikon, B&L and countless other brands.With advancements in lens coatings , parity is on the horizon. Brand should be less of a consideration then size, weight, field of view, fineness of focus, brightness and color rendition for your particular needs. Having one pair of binoculars is like having to choose just one gun for your hunting needs. You could pick a 12 ga and hunt small and big game with it, but why would you put those kind of limitations on yourself unless state law( N/A ) or finacial considerations are factors. You need to decide if you want roof or porro prism design. If you choose roof, you need to have some sort of phase coating/ correction to egual what you will get "for a view" vs. a porro design. You will likely chuck out more coin to do so and have to use with more care considering colmination.If you choose porro , you will likely give up some compactness and gain some weight.In all fairness I have not used any of the "big names" current, most technilogically advanced glass, so I cant consider myself all knowing. I would advise you to find what is right for your eye and buy it, be it a $20 pair in a pawn shop or what have you. I currently am useing an older kowa 7x35 wide field porro, a newer kowa 10x32 roof and some 8.5x44 swifts and i am quite satisfied. I have been very pleased with every fujinon binocular I have looked through, and, the phase coated pentaxs of japan manufacture are really a bargain if you buy new.Who is better? Mercedes, Bmw, Lexus? YOUR eyes and personal preferences in a binocular will answer that fairly quickly.Consider buying used over new and you can jump up to a bigger name if that it is what you want.For good advice, read some reviews from birder forums as those people go to bed with their binoculars.More then one of those chat rooms will lead you to a Nikon Superior E, but i have yet to own a pair....

scott

I just reread yor post and feel alittle silly about my response as I played politician and didnt help you out, OR answer your question. Since you have decided on the 8x40 or 8x42, save yourself a pile of money and go with a Fujinon CD ( I have officially opened myself up to ridicule ! )

He Dog

Many, if not most birders these days are going to 10x when replacing/adding binos. For most hunters in most terrain, 8x remains a good choice. I bird with 10x and hunt with 8x. I like Leicas, believe Swarovskis over-rated and over priced (and overweight!). Swearengine has got me interested in Zeiss Classics.

This may be of interest or help:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html

and for scopes:

http://www.livingbird.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=272&srcid=265