binoculars?

[thorsmightyhammer]

Any recommendations?

Seriously considering pulling the trigger on a pair of Swarovski's.

What do you guys use and like?

[edge]

I use Steiner,8x36 military beaters,200 buks or so,and Steiner Predator 10X42's,about 750$.Short work or weght restricted hunts(no horses)I take the small ones.

Swarovsky,Zeiss and Leica all make excellent binocs and I have watched friends use pairs that are ancient and still work flawlessly.I dont own any because I cannot allocate that kind of money to something I may destroy on any given hunt.

If you havent looked at Nikon recently,you should,my daughter uses a pair of Nikons that are incredibly clear,all our rifle glass is Nikon.

Edge

[FWS]

If you're gonna drop that kinda cash on Swaros take a look at Leica Ultravids, which to my eyes are just a smidgen better. Cost is about the same. They're what I use.

For a lot less money but great glass the Pentax DCF SP's are very nice, a bit over $400 for the 8x43's on Ebay usually. Lifetime warranty, waterproof, etc.

cgi.ebay.com/Pentax-DCF-SP-8X43-Full-Size-Binoculars-62615_W0QQitemZ120053100532QQihZ002QQcategoryZ50538QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm gonna get a pair of these to use for a beater pair I can drag through the salt marshes, etc.

[flatlander (Jeff Yancy)]

Dont buy the Leicas, The Swarovski EL's are the best Bino's money can buy! Bar None!

[Bristleback]

I sure like my Swarovski's..........

Good glass is an investment.......one way to look at it, anyway.

Find the size/power you want, line them all up, go outside and look at them and compare.

[lb]

Yeah, they're good, but I think Swaros are way out of line, cost wise.

Good hunting. LB

[Bristleback]

Leonard what do you prefer for glass.

[chub618]

i hear kahles are made by swarovski. same glass but much less expensive!

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I've never bought a real expensive pair for the same reason I don't buy a $150 knife.

I've broken a set of Pentax twice and lost another pair.

If they'd have Swaro's I'd still be cussing.

Some of those good glasses are something to look through though aren't they.

Joel

[thorsmightyhammer]

FWS my brother has a pair of pentax in I believe 8x50. Not real impressed with them.

Leica's and Zeis' are very good for certain but I lean towards the Swaro's. Personel preference I guess.

Theft, loss and breakage surely are a concern but it is in many of my posessions.

Kahles are made by Swarovski. But they arent the same.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Heck if you use them a lot go get em.

Life is good when your operating with good equipment.

I doubt that you can beat Swaroskis.

Joel

[FWS]

my brother has a pair of pentax in I believe 8x50. Not real impressed with them.

Most likely not the DCF SP's, which are Pentax's high end binos, there's a big difference between their various lines.

Because I'm around a lot of serious birders I've tried out about every high end bino there is, and the manufacturers all show up at the bird watching conventions and go on the field trips with all their models for everyone to try out.

We can thank the birdwatchers for the quality of optics that's out there now and both Swaro and Leica designed the EL's and Ultravids with and for the birders.

I'd disagree that Swaros are "the best", one of the best but at that level it comes down to personal preference, your eyes, ergonomics, ease of use, etc.

[thorsmightyhammer]

Most likely not the DCF SP's, which are Pentax's high end binos, there's a big difference between their various lines.


Dont know what model they are but he dropped about 7 bills on them.

Dont get me wrong they are good. Have a friend, whose advice I dont take lightly, tell me one time they were the best for the money. Probably right. Almost a third less than the high enders.

Mostly trying to find out if anyone has had any problems with them. My mind is pretty well set but it could be changed.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I'm kind of waiting around for them to make a pair that have great clarity, a rangefinder, and have image stabilization for when your breathing hard.

Oh yeah they need to weigh just a few ounces and have a 5 exit pupil on 20 power.

That isn't asking much is it?

Joel

[FWS]

I'm kind of waiting around for them to make a pair that have great clarity, a rangefinder,

Leica Geovid BRF Rangefinder Binocular and only $2,500 ;D

www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat601546&id=0028844712035a&navCount=1&podId=0028844&parentId=cat601546&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QT&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601546&hasJS=true

No image stabilizer, if you were in better shape you wouldn't be breathing so hard

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Doesn't matter what kind of shape your in if your looking at a 30 inch muley or a 7 point bull elk.

Or even if your checking out the girls on the beach.

Your heart is gonna beat!!

Joel

[edge]

Good nocs,no question,but even if you want to spend the 26 bills,they are heavier than a last minute prom date.Those leicas oughtta come with a trailer.

Edge

[Rod17]

I think I can sum-up what everyone has said: buy the best binonoculars that your wallet can afford. Like everything else, you get what you pay for --- but you also have to be practical depending on your own budget.

[Bristleback]

Sold plenty of high end optics........Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss.........IMHO once you get to this level, it does become personal preference...............

If you spend much time in the field, top of the line quality is sure appreciated.

Talk to the folks who depend upon glass......guides, PH's......that ought to tell you something.....

I've told more than a few customers to hold off buying, save up some more $$ and come back, more than a few have thanked me for that advice.

[gp]

My son has Swaros , I have Leica. Buy Swaro.