Need your opinion of binocs for spot and stalk bowhunting : 10x or 12x? Full size vs. compact? Any particular minimum specs for Field of View, etc? Brand? Let me know what has worked for you...Thanks!
When I asked this question a couple years ago, the fellas turned me on to these. Best I've ever owned... Plus a good deal..click
After reading stuff by optics experts I just purchased a pair of these: http://www.zen-ray.com/store/ Zen-Ray ED 8x43 Don't be "fooled" by the prices you see, you can get the binocs cheaper, either on their website using "deals" they offer or by third party authorized sellers. For my hardwoods hunting it is recommended to get the 8x43 and NOT the 10x42's. The 10 power is too strong for my normal hunting distances and would prove "shaky".
I use the Nikon Action 8x40 Team Realtree... for 99 bucks I think they are tough to beat... if I could afford something nicer I'd get 'em, specially if I was heading out west or somethin for long range stuff... but here in the midwest and mid south, you simply don't need that much
Bruce, I hunt mostly hardwoods and I prefer seeing the details the 10X is capable of. I have no issues with target acquisition or shaky-ness. Personal preference I suppose.
Most definitely personal preference. I have used both, 8x and 10x. and prefer the 8x myself. It's not like the 10x was totally different, just liked the 8x better.
I have also used both 8x and 10x and personally prefer the higher power 10x. They really come in handy when hunting field edges or areas where you have pretty good visibility. They are also very handy when scouting from the truck or glassing fields pre-season. I'm currently using the Vortex Viper 10x42 and have been VERY happy for the past three seasons. I also have a pair of 8x42 Fury's that I used while shed hunting this season that I was very happy with as well. For the price you get a lot of features and they are extremely clear. Fury 8x42 - $349.99 Viper 10x42 - $509.99
Seems like my eyes are looking through glass as much as not while hunting up here. It pays to get the best that you can afford. I've got a pair of Leupold Golden Ring 10x42 that are worth their weight in gold. I wouldn't trade 'em for anything but a newer pair of the same. 10 power seems to be about the max that can be hand held effectively and even at that they need to be well supported to be used to their full effect. I'd definitely steer away from 12x unless you're going to be laying them across a pack or putting them on a tripod. For most hunting in the lower 48 I'd say a good quality 8x bino is going to serve you well and the 8x42 is going to gain more light for you than the 10x42. Lack of light is seldom an issue up here and with long distances to be spotted, especially when trying to discern a nanny from a billy in the rocks on the next mountain, I prefer the 10x.
I use Vortex as well, I can't believe the clarity for the price. I use the Vulture 8.5x50 models, they are perfect for me. I am so impressed with Vortex that I am going to use them exclusively from now on. Good pricing on great optics.
Pentax DCF-SP 12.5X50 Matt/PA told me to check out these bino's several years ago so I had to pick them up and take a look through them at Cabelas. I compared them to Kahles, Swarovski, Leupold, Steiner, and Leica binos. These were priced less than most and performed every bit as good as the Leica and Swarovski's. This is the best deal that I found them for ... http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/pentax_dcfsp_12550.html
I second Vortex. I have the diamonback model and they are absolutely awesome for the price. They compete very well with the more expensive models...BUT they are cheaper. http://www.vortexoptics.com/
But how did you test them in a store? Most people do this and think they're getting a good comparison but what you really need to do is go someplace where you can get them outside and look through them in low light conditions. Unfortunately, not many stores will let you do that. I've had people come up here with Pentax optics that were out of regulation. He had a serious headache at the end of each day of glassing. He sent them back for repair. They replaced them and the new pair had the same issues focusing. He suffered badly through two AK hunts due to poor quality optics. He got a pair of Steiner Predators after that and we've both been super impressed by those.
Rob, I was comparing them on shadows on the mountain inside the store. I was looking for clarity as well as defintion and the edge clarity. Its not a perfect way to compare them, but I havn't met anybody who will give me access to $10,000 worth of binos to test outside so its gotta make due.
I hear ya. We'd always go outside of our shop with the customer and only take 2 pair at a time but we had the luxury of being a small shop with high end stuff.
