Was looking to buy some new optics, i look over a max distance of about 500 yards is all. Anyone have any thoughts of what is good?
My dad and I have been using Leica Binoculars for a long time. They have durability as well as finesse. I would highly recommend checking them out. I also own a pair of Nikons that I've used on some trips and they worked well. Here is Leica's Site: http://us.leica-camera.com/sport_optics/
Leica is awesome. Also, being a military sharpshooter, Leupold are my #1 choice. http://www.leupold.com/observation/products/binoculars/
Check these out: http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars.html You'll swear your lookin' thru Swarovski Optik lenses!
I have a pair of Nikon Monarchs 10x38 that I really like. Wish I would have gotten the 42s instead. Really late that makes a huge differece. That being said the 38s fit in my pocket better and are crystal clear.
I have been using Vortex Fury 10x42 for the past 2 years. They are amazing in low light and are super clear. Last year, my pack fell out of the stand I was sitting in at approximately 25 ft. It jacked my binoculars up a bit, so I called Vortex customer service and they instructed me to send them in. In less than a weeks time from the day I sent them in, I had a brand new pair! Incredible service, that's hard to come by these days.
I'm partial to Leupold optics myself and have had outstanding luck with them. The Nikon Monarchs, Vortex and a few others are really popular as well. Whatever you do, spend as much as you reasonably can on optics. I remember when I first started hunting, I bought a couple of cheap pairs and they were just that, cheap. When I finally spent the money on my set of Leupolds, I was absolutely floored by the quality of the glass and clarity, as well as how long I could look through them and not have my eyes get tired. IMO, good glass is worth the extra money.
Nikon Monarchs here - I do hear vortex makes good optics as well. Obviously the Leica, swarovskis are great if you have a few thousand to spare
I love me some Vortex. Have a spotting scope and set of binos through them that are both top notch stuff for pennies on the dollar compared to some higher end brands.
These are what i'm using with zero problems , very clear , cost me about $150.00 .........http://www.leupold.com/observation/products/binoculars/bx-1-rogue-series/bx-1-rogue-8x42mm/
I have a pair of the 10x42 Zeiss armored that I picked up several years ago. Very good glass. Whatever you get spend the money and get quality that you can look through for extended periods without hurting your eyes. I went through Pentax, Nikon, and Bausch and Lomb binoculars before getting the Zeiss. Always had fogging issues, or the binocs would loose the nitrogen charge. After the Zeiss I have had the same binocs for over 10 years without an issue. It pays to spend up front. Here is a heck of a deal on Zeiss. They also have several other quality optics on this site. About the lowest optics prices around. http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=524510
For the money. Nikon Monarchs are pretty good. A little more money, the Vortex Razors are good optics. If you've go the money to spend, nothing compares to Swarovski EL Binos. They are simply amazing. Semper Fi !
Would you guys agree then that for what we're doing 8x42 would be the best magnifications and aperture? I'm also looking for a pair but I really want them light and compact.
I personally prefer the 10x42 magnification as I feel it lets me get a bit of a closer look at those deer that are out there a ways. I've been using the Vortex Viper for the past 5 years now and love them. For the cost you can't go wrong, and the unlimited lifetime warranty is amazing. I've had to send mine in for eye cup repair twice this year (I'm dumb and dropped them) and both times they've replaced and lubed the eye cups and sent them back to me with no questions asked. You simply can't beat that.
I also have a pair of Leupold Katmai 10x32mm. They are real nice if you are looking for something small, compact, and light. They have served me well in the woods for both deer and turkey. Not that great for long periods of glassing though.
So much to learn and think about with these binocs these days. I have a cheap pair that I never use because their big and bulky. I mostly use my Nikon archery range finder now.
