Binocular advice

[cshqck]

Looking to purchase a new pair of Binoculars. I mainly hunt from tree stands and would like to get some suggestions on what brand and power of Bino's to buy. I don't want to spend more than $250.00 I currently use a set of Rivers Edge Bino's but would like a little better low light performance from the new set, Thanks.

[Swamp Monster]

That price limits you a bit but there are some quality bino's that should suit your needs. If you can stretch that budget by $30-$50 you can get a pair of Nikon ATB's in 8x42 or 10x42. Michigan Bowmaster just picked up a pair and they are excellent. I would stick with 8x. It gives you a better field of view (nice for the treestand) and it's much easier to hold steady, especially with one hand as is often the case in a treestand. I actually see more detail with my 8x because there is less shake. My 10x is relegated to scouting from the truck and sometimes during gun season from a blind. These are Phase coated as well and this feature makes a big difference! I personaly wouldn't buy bino's that were not phase coated (roof prisms) For well under the $200 mark you can get the Bushnell Legend series in a Poro Prism design. These are heavier and bulkier than the streamlined roof prisms such as the Nikon ATB for example. If you don't mind the size, the glass in these poro's are every bit as good a roof prisms costing tice as much. Roof prisms are much more expensive and complicated to build so for less money in a poro, you get good glass. The size and weight can be a major deterrent though, but the 8x42 model only weighs 24oz and has a field of view of 420ft@1000yards.....great for bowhunting, less head movement! These are $129 @BPS The Nikon Action EX ATB is another Porro that gives you great glass for less money as well. the 8x40's sell for $149 and weigh 30oz (pretty heavy but a harness helps) and the field of view is 429ft@1000 yards. the Monarch ATB I mentioned in the beginning of this thread only weigh 21 oz!

Some glass that is good, though not phase coated would be the Leupold Wind River Cascades in 8x42, about $250 (the Wind River Olympics are Phase coated and light as well but cost about $330) The Nikon Team Realtree 8x36 are pretty nice @$200 but again not phase coated....for $80 more you can get the ATB's and phase coating.

I would also stay away from compacts, they are all but useless for anything other than casual glances (unless you want to drop $400-$500 on some Leicas etc). Some may claim they love there compacts but I don't know anybody that owns a pair that actually uses them to actually find game or spens any amount of time behind them. If size and weight is an issue, and it probably is when bowhunting, stick with something in the 8x30-32mm range. These are plenty small, yet give you a much better view and light gathering capabilities than most compacts.
Check out www.betterviewdesired.com for some good info on bino's and how to choose them.

[Big Nic]

cshqck ,

Recieved a pair of stiener predators in an 8 x 40 config for a xmas present from my honey a couple of years ago an really really like them . they have the OD green rubber armor coating and the optics are top notch. Nice clarity and easy to use maybe a little heavy but worth the extra weight . the low light capabilities on the predator version are very good in my opinion. I agree 100% with swamp monster in that i do not like the compacts I like a full size pair of glasses. One other point as far as binos go DO NOT SKIMP < I REPEAT SPEND AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN and then add a hundred bucks before you buy cheap glasses. Bad binos will suck the eyes right out of your head :yikes:and give you a hellacious headache after prolonged use . Better to wait and save for the very best you can afford on this essential item GOOD LUCK

[Swamp Monster]

cshqck ,

Bad binos will suck the eyes right out of your head :yikes:and give you a hellacious headache after prolonged use .

That is the truth!!!

If you think about Bino's and what they can do for you, they are a great investment. I use my bino's for hours on end and I have spotted more game than I ever could have imagined, game that I would not have seen without the aid of bino's. Some claim they don't need em in thick cover, but thats hog wash. I hunt some pretty thick swamps during gun season and generally, you don't see deer until they are in your lane or on top of you. With bino's I can pick up a foot, an ear or an eye well into and behind the thick stuff. Often times, the difference from being succesfull or not is seeing the game before they see you. Bino's can make this a reality, they aren't just for out west as some believe. And with proper glassing, you don't need a lot of unnecessary movement. I don't own $1000 glass but I have the best I can afford and the enjoyment they have given me is priceless.

[Big Nic]

the good reverand swamp monster is tellin' it like it is

Can I get a Hallelielugh!! and an AMEN brothers and sisters:lol:

[Adam Waszak]

Excuse me Sir, but how much are those Swarovski bino's?????........ :yikes: Yeah I like what they said earlier I still don't have a decent pair and I want some sooooo bad but they do cost.

AW

[Swamp Monster]

The Swarovski's, Leica's, Zeiss, and a few others are all fantastic, but out of the price range of most. Actually, if you think about it, it's pretty easy to sink a grand into a nice rifle scope combo, and it only gets used (fired at game) a few times a year at best. Bino's should be used for hours on end during the season so it only makes sense to buy the best you can afford.

I purchased a pair of Pentax 8x43 DCF SP's for a little over $450 and I love them. I wanted a pair of Swarovski SLC's but they only offered 8x in a 30mm or 50mm objective and I wanted one inbetween. Their EL line is awesome but $1500. is not. The Leica (at the time) were just heavier than I wanted, and I didn't care for the design of the Zeiss 8x40. Nikons LX series were just as good and priced the same as the rest, but again, it was heavier than I wanted. I was ready to spend big but the Pentax were so close and had the features I wanted, I just couldn't pass it up. The thing today is that the difference between mid priced glass and the European heavyweights is pretty hard to see with out extensive testing. It used top be that you had to spend a minimum of $500-$1000 to get top quality.

When shopping, compare models outside and use some reference points that allow you to resolve detail.....treebark way off, street signs with small lettering etc. They all look good inside a store, and if the store won't take the time to go outside and allow you to thorughly check them out, go somewhere else! Take the time to focus the right eye diopter first so they are focused to your eyes, then adjust the center focus. People sometimes confuse brightness with clarity and automatically think the brightest is the best quality. Sometimes they can be to bright....color wash takes place and limits resolution. You want vivid color and high resolution....the brightness will be there. Test every model you can in realistic conditions....side by side if you can. I know Cabela's will go outside with you and bring a dozen pair if you want!

[One Eye]

Those Pentax are, IMHO, one of the best buys in optics. You will see very little difference between them and the high end European glass.

Dan

[GeeEmm]

Check B and H Photo out of New York. They are on the net at www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com) The often have closeouts and sales. Cabela's matched their price when I bought my Pentax DCF WP's. They are incredible and were about half the price of European glass. Take a look at the Cabela's brand also. I'm not sure who makes them although I have my suspicions. They are quite clear and crisp although the edges to me get a bit fuzzy. Maybe it's just my fuzzy eyesight! HA Good Luck!!

[GeeEmm]

Make sure you check them outside around dusk preferably on a dark, dreary day. Even Big-Lot bino's look good inside the store. Well, I'm stretching it but you get the idea. Look into shadows and dark areas to see what they can REALLY do!

[Luv2hunteup]

Have you ever considered a small hand held spotting scope? They have half the glass and since there is only one lens there is no cost in keeping the dual lens parallel.

monocular (http://www.riflescopes.com/products/LEU54480/leupold_gold_ring_10-20x40.htm)

Leupold Gold Ring 10-20x40
Specifications
Weight (oz.): 15.8
Length (in.): 7.5
Eye Relief (mm.): 18.5 - 17.5
Field of View @ 100yds (ft.): 191 - 136
Exit Pupil (mm.): 4 - 2
Close Focus (ft.): 5.5

[Swamp Monster]

Luv2, that little Leupold is sweet!! I can't wait to check one out. That thing has all kinds of uses.

Be leary of New York camera shops. They are not all bad but many are flat out crooks. Make sure if you buy anything from them, you get the USA warranty. Many deal in Grey Market optics, optics sold in the US but not with a US warranty.....usually if the price is too good to be true it probably is. Nothing wrong with this glass quality wise, but if you ever need warranty work, you may have to ship overseas and pay for the repair. That USA warranty is important. I priced my Pentax from a New York dealer with the USA warranty and then I purchased from another dealer with a price match..I'll post a link when I find it. Deals to good to be true for example will be Leica or Swarovski's that normally sell for $1000, but they are asking $500.

[Luv2hunteup]

Here's another forum to check out on optics. There are also other links buried in the threads which may help you out. Happy bino hunting.

Optics (http://www.huntamerica.com/wwwthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB9)

[Swamp Monster]

Natchez the top of the line Leupold Wind River Pinnacles in 8x42 for $329 and the 10x42 for $359. These are good prices on nice phase coated bino's. Bass Pro and Cabelas sell them for close to $500
www.natchezss.com
www.bearbasin.com is where I bought my Pentax's. They will match a price and their service is top notch. They know their stuff.

[brdhntr]

I bought a pair of bushnell Legend 10x42 last year and really like them. Good low light visibility, and the Rainguard coating can't be beat.

[4pwr]

Roof prism binocs are the rage and have improved by leaps and bounds the last few years. For your $250 budget you have to make a decision.. $250 roof prisms or $250 poro prism. If optical quality is your priority,porros are the way to go. If waterproof and size are #1 then go with$250 roofs. Try not to go too small. Like fishing rods and rifles there is a price to pay for diminutive binocs.

[snakebit67]

I bought the steiner predator for my wife on our first anniversary for about 200.00. Now she cant get them back. A good durable bino with good optics (better than my Jasons or Bushnells).

[Mike Rathnow]

I have a set of Manons I bought when I was in the service. They're 16x50 and I wouldn't get rid of them for the world. But I bought them in Tiawan in the early 70's so I don't know if you can purchase them here or not. But in my opinion do not to buy cheap optic's. Save up and purchase a good pair. I also have a cheaper pair of pocket binoculars, one is a Tasco 8x21 and the other is bushnell 8x21. Yea, they're good and light wieght, but can't match what the good pair of binoc's will do for you.