I am looking to upgrade my binoculars. So...I'm 44 years old. My eyes aren't terrible, but I struggle most to see things clearly at a distance...and especially as it gets dusky. I have a pair of Bushnell 10x26 binoculars that have been pretty good for me, but don't seem strong enough when it is close to dark. Finally getting to my point , would a 10x42 make a big difference? I can't spend more than a couple hundred dollars. I have been looking at the Vortex Diamondback or Crossfire. Any help would be appreciated.
go and try some out at your local sporting good store and find out! I bet they will. I prefer the Nikon Monarchs over Vortex. if you look you can get them for around the same price.
I have a pair of vortex crossfire. Not expensive and pretty rugged. People are usually surprised how little they cost when they ask, expecting them to be much more. I have a pair of Swarovski that I use at sea sometimes and honestly I really can’t tell the difference
my 10x42 Steiners are amazing...little out of that price range but I got them for a helluva price. Like half off. Deals are out there. Camofire, Field Supply, OpticsPlanet, even Sportsmans Guide.
I've got the Vortex Diamondback's. Very nice for the money and yes I think they would be a big improvement in low light.
I very strongly recommend the Maven c.1 10x42 if you're spending less than $750. I think they are superior to the vortex vipers and give vortex razors a run for their money at less than half the cost.
I did a little looking... I don't know how good their binos are but I have a really good Burris scope...also a couple Bushnells in here for around $200. I have some Bushnell rifle scopes that are actually really good and their warranty is awesome. https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/search.do?query=10x42 binocular&sku_instock_b=true great prices and selection here...everything you mentioned and even some 10x42 Leopolds under $200 https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...ghts/binoculars-accessories?d=115&c=134&s=161
I hunt thick woods where if you see more than 200 yards it's rare. I went to a good monocular a few years back. It has a 42mm objective lens to let in plenty of light. The little 8x22 monoculars don't compare....not even close. It seems like I close 1 eye most of the time anyway. Great for me, but I don't do much long range glassing...and I have a pair of Zeiss for that. Bushnell Elite HD for about $200.
I have a pair of Steiner's but the next pair I buy will be Ziess. My dad has the Zeiss Conquest binoculars, just one look through them and the pity was bestowed upon my Steiners..
I originally bought mine for elk but with the knowledge that 90%+ o my hunting is done in whitetail woods so the Steiner's (Merlin model) ability for close zoom is something that tipped me in their favor- you can see things less than 10 yards at perfect clarity, and the long range clarity is very good as well. 100% lifetime fully transferable (no receipt needed) is a plus as well- not that I ever expect to need it.
Diamondbacks are fantastic for the money. I have a better pair for 3D and hunting but keep Diamondbacks in the truck. They have been great for me.
I have the Steiner 10x50 M1050, like you I purchased them on sale from opticsplanet, and absolutely love them. Very dependable. So my suggestion is dont ever pick up a pair of Ziess, they will make you wanna spend that money. Over the last ten years my dad has changed out his rifle and spotting scope over to Ziess and then came the binoculars. Such clear glass, better than Swarovski even.
I've looked through them for an hour or so one day.. Not bad, there are certainly better high magnification binos out there but you'll spend a couple hundred more. Depending on what you're doing, it might be better to go with a 8x or 10x pair of binos and a spotter. the 18x is going to be hard to freehand glass anything
Thank you. I have been trying to avoid the spotting scope. I can't spend much time at all looking through one. Even tried an eye patch, just not for me. I figured I would use the kaibabs on a tripod if I went that route. I currently have a pair of Monarch 5 10x42's for my everyday use.
iScope? as to the OP, can't believe nobody already asked it but what type of hunting do you typically do? Eastern/midwest whitetail? Western open plains or alpine/mountains? If I had to pick one and I ever hunted out west, I would pick 10x50 or more. I'm not the biggest fan of a spotting scope and for true long range spotting/hunting I would get a big pair of binos even though I already have a good spotting scope. Plenty of times when I last hunted elk where a spotting scope was overkill and annoying but my Steiner 10x42 binos were kind of maxed out on range.
