Binoculars

[Captain B.R.K]

I'm thinking about upgrading from the binocular's I have. I have a pair of the Nikon Travel Lite series bino's in the 8 x 25. I've been doing some lite reading, I mean lite, so I'm asking the question if I were looking to upgrade to full size pair of binocular's

1. What size should I be looking at?

2. What qualities should I be looking into?

3. What makes Nikon,Leupold and other brands better than

each other?

Do I even need to upgrade from what I have??

If I'm missing anything, chime in.

Thanks everyone.

[Ben1022]

Good glass isn't cheap and some things to consider are how often do you really use them and what situations are you glassing most often?

I might sound like a broken record on this phrase but it's one I heard when buying glasses some time ago..."buy once, cry once. Buy twice, cry twice". i.e. get the best ones you can the first time around rather than go thru the pain a second time.

I've lived in open country and now for the past few years here in the Midwest. I have a variety of pairs of glasses and have narrowed it to three I use. I have all Swarovski's in 8x30's, 10x42's and 15x56's. If I had to pick one all around pair that I could use hunting turkey, deer or any Canadian game in the east to waterfowling, scouting, or deer hunting in the Midwest or any big game in the western U.S. or Canada, checking targets while sighting in, etc,... it would be a pair of 10x42's. They're compact enough for tree stands and you can glass animals a long way off and get a reasonable idea of the "quality" of the animal from afar.

One in particular would be the Zeiss Classic 10X42's. They're more compact than the Swarovski's and every bit as good. Again, they sting the pocket book but I can safely say, it will be the last drop of money you spend on that sort of optics. Pencil that out over the span of your hunting and it's do-able...even on my budget!!!

One thing to consider is the exit pupil value. i.e. 10x50's have an exit pupil value of 5.0. Divide the objective by the power. The higher the value, the better the light gathering capability and if you twilight glassing is something you do, keep that in mind. Also, decide between roof prism or porro prism. A porro prism binocular is one that is wider and stepped down at the eye cups. Whereas, porro prism are straight tubes about the width of the eye. Technically, porro prism gather light better but for all intense purposes, roof prism are as good. Personally, I like the roof prism for their shape.

I would also consider the Pentax DCF series glasses, too. They have good glass and are built well. No matter which way you go, the quality optics will have a warranty that it is awesome and almost always will take care of your glasses even if you're at fault on dinging them, sans driving over them!!! Enjoy your hunt for different glasses and enjoy them for the rest of your life.

[CrappieJohn]

I'd buy the very best which I could afford. And then I'd settle for the 10/42's. Eight powers are fine if what you are doing involves fairly open terrain, but if you are try to "look thru" brush and trees the extra light gathering capabilities of the higher power along with far better clarity will serve you better.

[BLACKJACK]

Good review Ben! It makes me want to go check the price of some Zeiss 10x42's!!

[Gofishleech]

Over the years I have had several pair of bino,s and would pay under $100. They always seem to be ok for a year so and then would lose clarity, still work but not as good as out of the box. (maybe my own eyes!) But any way this year I thought I would spend a bit more and I got a pair of Nikon Monarchs. Went into the store and looked at many pair in the $200 to $400 range and went with the Monarch. The clarity is outstanding and there water proof.The 10 power were around $300 and the 12 power were around $350 and I could tell the difference so I got the 12 power. I have only had them a few months but could not be happier. I also got the bino system to help keep the from swinging around my neck and they work great.

[gspman]

I second Ben's recommendation of the Pentax DCF's. I have the 10x42 DCF HR Pentax binoc's and think they are great. They are a very good "economical" alternative to the high end German binoc's. At some point you will be splitting hairs with quality. You'll have to decide when enough is enough. For me, I think there are a lot of very nice binoc's in the $300-$500 range. Do your research and take your time in deciding. Good luck.

gspman

[Ben1022]

gofish and gspman said two things that are spot on...get the bino system and you'll find yourself wanting to have them around your neck more often and using your investment because they aren't swinging around and cumbersome. gspman also says it well when the quality meets the price point. You will reach a point of splitting hairs between brands on similar glasses and each will have their selling point.

You won't be disappointed with your good glasses.

[FL SNIPER]

How well does that bino system work for bow hunting? Does it really work...or is there still a chance they could get in the way on draw and while shooting? I like to get actual feedback from people I know instead of just believing the commercials...thanks.

[Ben1022]

They work very well and depending on where you locate them, i.e. on the upper part of chest or lower by your stomach, they can be kept completely out of the way. I think higher on the chest is better but depending on your draw length and build, you just have to fine tune the location. Plus, if it's raining, they can cover the lens'. They're also perfect for stalking or just walking along as they don't bounce a round and clang all over. You can easily slip them in/out w/o looking and do it very quietly.

I actually have kind of a modified bino system where it's simply a fitted cover made out of saddlecloth and an elastic strap. It does the same thing and you also have a cover.

[CodyDawg]

Another brand to look at is Burris. I have 2 scopes, 1 spotting scope and 1 set of binocs from them and I couldnt be happier. I couldnt tell the difference between a pair of svaroski's and my burris's in the field last year. You want the signature series, which runs in the $200 to $500 range.

[Captain B.R.K]

Thanks guys for the information. I'll do a search on the above binoculars that were recommended. I'll also do a search on Yahoo or Google to see what other info. I can get.

As for the bino-systems, they work great. Last year my strap had my binoculars dangling all over the place. This year they are connected to a bino-system. They stay in one place and pull up real easy to my eyes! Highly recommend spending the $19.99 on a pair!!

[BLACKJACK]

Where do you get those bino systems? Whats a good brand name?

[Captain B.R.K]

I purchased my at Sportsman's Warehouse but you can pick them up just about anywhere.

$19.99 for the regular and an extra $5-6 for the camo ones.

[Captain B.R.K]

I ran into the Sportsman's tonight to talk to the guy behind the counter about binoculars. I had in my hands the Pentax DCF HR II (I think??) and the Nikon Monarch's, both in the 10x42. The guy said there really wasn't much difference between the two.

He also said a lot of people have been going with the Nikon because of the quality of the product and more importantly, a 25 year warranty on the lense.

He didn't know much about the Pentax series.

Still debating about this purchase so now which one do I go with??!?! HELP?!?!

[BLACKJACK]

Capt, what is the price of the those two binocs, the Pentax and the Nikon?

A 25 year warranty sounds good to me!

[Captain B.R.K]

$300 for both......just tough thinking about spending 3 clams on a pair!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Capt- $300 is really not that much when you consider how much you may use them. Kinda like the depthfinder or something like that. I myself bought a nice pair at the Sport Show last year. They were not a name brand, but retailed for about that $300 range.. I picked them up for $95 I think.. maybe cheeper. anyway.. They work great for me.

You just need to decide how much you think good optics are worth to you.

[iffwalleyes]

I just picked up a new pair of Leupold Cascades 8x42 they were $250. So far I like them alot but I haven't used them that much. I looked through several pairs I like lots of the different nikons and know people that have monarchs and love them. But it is so tough to tell in the store what you are really getting. So I told the salesman alright I have a couple VXII scopes which set of binos compare to that. He said the Cascades were that pair. I told him since I knew how well I liked those then I was sure the binos would be similar. Good luck with the decision.

[SUNNYD]

A couple years ago I was on the same quest for a quality pair of binocs. I ended up comparing many of the top brands and ended up going with a pair of Weaver Grand Slams 10x42 which I purchased off hsolist for about half the price that I could by them in stores. GM sold them for $500, I picked them up off hsolist for around $250. I haven't looked back since and used them quite a bit this last weekend for early doe season. Seriously look at getting a 10 power set of binocs, you won't regret it.

Take care!

[bpoli2]

Take a look at the Scheel's Sporting Goods binocular. They have their own name on them and have a lifetime warranty. Any problems, return them to the store and receive a new set on the spot. No hassle sending them in to a company to fix the focus or any other problem. Have purchased numerous brands over the years and always have had problems and then wait to have them returned from the company after repair. No problem with the Scheels binocular yet,(they come in a varity of sizes) but I bought them on ther concept of fast replacemenmt.

[bigyooper]

I can answer any questions you have on Optics.

Nick Bogdan

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