Binocular recommendation?
Equipment
Looking for a good, quality pair of binoculars. Need something versatile as I’ll be whitetail hunting in the south as well as Africa next year and am also booked for Alaska bear and Wyoming elk. My budget is $1500 max. Been looking at some Maven 10x42s….would love to hear some recommendations. Thanks!
Zeiss conquest makes a 10x42 that's pretty nice.
Extremely pleased with my Maven 10x50’s. With their veteran’s discount, they were a tad over $900.
Used Zeiss classic in 10x40. Can probably find on eBay for 600$ or so. It’s as good as anything else you might buy at twice the price.
Find some used Swaro SLCs … Leica’s would be my next choice.
check out tract optics. their uhd line has impressive glass, made in japan, and you will only have to spend about half of your budget.
another option is vortex razor hd. i like their glass. about a year ago i compared the vortex razor hd 10x50 to the maven. the comparison was close but for my eyes the vortex was just a bit better with detail in the shadows.
maven has a test drive program that you should take advantage of.
i found both the tract and vortex razor hd better than the mid-tier swaro's, ziess, or lieca. i recall looking through the swaro slc and was wondering what all the hype was about.
What JohnMc said. Look around and find a set of Swarovski binos that are used. I bought a 10x32 EL Swarovski about 10 years ago at 60-70% of retail. They’ll be the last binocs I’ll ever need to buy
One of my hunters had Leica 10x42 range finding binos this year. I have leupold 10x42s which I like but his glass seemed much better and I like the range finding feature. They're about $1500 now. Comments?
I've got a bunch over the years, bought a used swaro 10x42 and then ended up buying the Swaro EL range new a year ago. If I was doing it over that is what I would have done from the get go.
Meopta is also a very good option
I would call CameralandNY and tell them your budget.....they are legit and will give you the rundown of the best options for your budget.
Jasper, If you are interested I have a pair of 10x42 EL Swarovski I’m selling. I upgraded to the NL Pure. Feel free to send me a message on here and I can text over pictures if your interested I would sell them shipped to you u see your budget.
Adam
Used Swaro 10x42 like others have said. Check out Adam’s and also monster Muleys dot com’s classified page. I’ve picked up good slightly used swaro glass from some of the posters there.
Jasper if you don’t take Adam up on the EL offer you will be settling for a lesser outcome regardless of what you end up with if you are serious about a 1500$ cap
Vortex makes, IMO, a darn nice bino at a working man's price.
Love my Swarovski 10x42 EL’s. They are definitely top shelf glass.
Not sure that I would go the NL Pure route from EL’s but am looking hard at range finding binos. The SIG range finding binoculars are looking really nice for optical quality and ranging capability. My son and girlfriend are both packing those..
The Leupold BX-4 rangefinder are really nice. I bought a pair recently in the 10x42. Since you’re a veteran you can get the Prostaff discount. There well within your price range.
Sig Sauer Zulu 10. I picked up a pair in the spring to replace my Leupold BX5’s. They blow them out of the water with how crisp and clear they are. They also are in that affordable price range for high quality glass.
Honestly, I’d call Doug at Cameraland, Inc. (cameraland.com). He will get you into an incredible pair of high quality binos for that budget.
I have a pair of SLC 10x42 that were just cleaned and tuned up at the factory that will come in under your budget
My 8x42 vortex razor hd Binos have been great. I use them weekly calling coyotes and been very pleased with the glass. I have owned swaros in the past and are great too if are in your budget.
I bought a pair of Swarovski SLC 10x42 over 20 years ago. Have never regretted spending the money. Swarovski lower end new comes in at your budget - or buy higher end EL’s used.
Jasper you out there man?
I have vortex HD's, they are awesome and affordable, how much better can optics be?
..........how much better can optics be?
Tough to quantify but if you won the optics of your choice would you choose the vortex HDs?
I have vortex HD's, they are awesome and affordable, how much better can optics be?
A lot. Now how much better depends on your own eyesight, how much you rely on optics while hunting, style hunting etc.
I had Vortex HD Binos and when I paid double that to upgrade to Meopta Meoairs I felt that I truly got double the quality Binos. Recently paid more than double the Meopta to upgrade to the swaro range ELs, I’m almost certain it offers a 20% better quality view or less… there’s certainly a plateau point where upgrading is incremental and not proportional to money spent. Where the justification cut off point is for each person is too individual to answer with a blanket statement. I feel like I kind of wasted money a bit on the swaro upgrade but I still pulled the trigger cause I wanted ranging Binos and wanted the best possible glass to combo with it.
So the Leica 10x42 range finding binos and the Sig sauer 10x42 range finding binos are significantly different in price. Can anyone comment on how the two may compare?
Don’t buy Swarovski. It’s such a pain in the ass during the last few minutes before dark … my Vortex buddies asking, let me see, let me see. ??
Now that funny .. good one!
Lots of great answers. Good optics are golden. Not to muddy the water there is a thread on LW about binocular harness's.
I'm copy pasting my opinion. Not to confuse the waters of this thread but my preferred binocular add on is Vortex bino locks. Sadly they quit making them but I love them. Google them. They basically are bat wings that keep your binoculars set to your pupil distance. Most all harness's tend to pull your binoculars together when you pull them up to your eyes. Downside is once installed your binoc's basically just fit you. Rodger Rothaar mentioned in one of his books he custom drilled and put pins in his binocs so when he pulled them up they was already set and he only had to worry about the focus knob! I have no clue why manufacturers don't have this option on bino's or lock buttons on headlamps.
I bought a pair of 10X32 Swarovski EL’s, used from a dealer (NY Cameraland) about twenty years ago. I’ve sent them out twice for factory service. New rubber, cleaning and at once over that wax free. Second time it cost me $250 for upgraded eye cups and new front lenses (that I scratched). And the regular service.
I still like them every time I use them, which is a lot.
Who cares, my guess is that Leica is much better glass.
I just dropped my vortex on concrete and they broke in half. They are 4 years old. Thats bad. Vortex is sending me a new pair no charge. Thats good. I dont need better ones. Everything I shoot is within 200 yards to 2 yards. I have looked thru the expensive stuff, Really nice
Thanks W, kinda the guidance I'm looking for.
Glasses from a company that stands behind their product. I have Swarovski, and I have vortex. The vortex grace my window sill, and have not seen much action in the elements. The Swarovski were my primary pocket binos for most hunts for the last 9 years. Just sent them back for warranty. They replaced the rubber armor, replaced the eye cups, cleaned everything inside and out, re gassed the tubes and tightened the hinges. All free of charge in about 3 weeks. These swaros replaced my previous pocket glasses which were Cabela’s alaskan guide series that were “guaranteed for life”. I lost an adjustable eye cup on one side and they are un usable without it. They were nice and clear, and they still are, but Cabela’s told me after bass pro bought them, they won’t warranty Cabela’s branded merchandise anymore. So I was told basically to pound sand. And they don’t even have specs for the eye cups so I can try aftermarket. Optics, in my opinion, are a lifetime purchase. If they aren’t abused, they should last for your lifetime. I felt comfortable buying from Cabela’s, because they would always be around. They are, but Bass Pro changed policy. Vortex warranty sounds good, and if they replace glasses that were smashed on the concrete, that’s exceptional. Buy from a long established company with a proven good warranty. If the sales guy try’s to talk you into a store brand because they are similar in quality to the higher priced brands, don’t take the bait. Buy once, cry once.
I’ve been using Optically stabilized Binos this fall for the first time ever. Sig Sauer Zulu 6’s. If I was buying my first set of Binos like you I would buy the 12x42’s. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back.
For long distance stuff I’ve been using the 16x50’s and they are absolutely insane. To be able to pick out an ear through bush at 750 yards. A coyote 3.5 miles away and see its face….the buck I shot this year I saw a tine through 10 yards of brush 300 yards away. The tine was stock still, but because my Binos also didn’t move I was able to see that the tine just looked different than the branches. Very few things are a real “Game changer” but these are it. If you’re a fisherman the best way I can explain it is that it’s like Livescope compared to standard 2D, side imagine and down imaging. It’s just different. I never knew what I wasn’t seeing because even the very small shake involved in using Binos.
Funny story was hunting with a buddy and I was spotting things left and right, spotted a GPS collar on a doe etc that he couldn’t see and when he finally figured out that I had stabilized glass he was like OK THAT”S WHY!!! All this time he was wondering what the heck all of a sudden his eyes sucked compared to mine and he was embarrassed lol. They’re like a cheat code.
I've looked through the stabilized Sig's as well. They are freaking amazing.
Last winter while rehabbing from 2 new knees had the itch to buy something so bought the Sig 16 power stabilizing binos. They are amazing but not really needed in northern Minn. Sold them to the outfitter I guide for in Colorado and he loves them. Adapted his phone to them with phone scope and gets great videos.
Hey guys,
Sorry, been out of pocket for a few days. Thanks so much for all the great advice and opinions - always get great info here. I have several options on used Swarovskis I may pursue. Does the warranty go with the glass? Happy Thanksgiving!
I tested 3 different pair of Sig's side by side in a field by my house. My favourite for any long range stuff was by far the 16x50, but for all around stuff I would say the 12x42. If you knew you'd always have good light and wanted long range stuff then the 16x42 are also great. But the 16x42 suffer in low light as compared to the 12x42 or 16x50.
Jasper I am 90% sure warranty follows binos on Swaros but I'd check the website for something that expensive. Don't take some guys word on the internet ;)
Are the sigs big and bulky?
Swarovski is renowned for offering that warranty over-delivering on any repair or refurbishment, and even when technically authorized to charge quite often do not according to Feedback
Swarovski does not transfer warranties over. Original purchaser only. But they will take care of you.
You have offers on both the ELs and a pair of SLCs. Your problem is solved. You’re a hunter Jasper not just a weekend warrior. With those options I wouldn’t even look at anything else. When it comes to binoculars, I always say buy the best you can afford. If you can make the ELs happen I would recommend that. Way less bulky.
Currently using a pair of Zulu 6 16x's on an off range oryx hunt in NM as I type this post.
It's nice to be able to glass in detail at distance quickly without having to first set up a stupid tripod.
Bought Zeiss in the 90s, paid 900.00. Everyone said I was nuts. We'll here we are in 2024, still clear, and sharp, and took alot of abuse.
Not spotting.mulies anymore, etc. But buy Great glass, your eyes and head will thank you for it.
I would shoot a cheaper gun or bow, but buy good glass. And I mean good glass.
My grandson will have them
^^^ That’s true. I will pass may EL’s on to my now 10 year old grandson. He’s a hunting fishing addict already!
My wife bought me a pair of Sigs that have the stabilizer feature. I’ve used vortex for years but the Sigs are the best glass I’ve ever used hands down.
Camera land got a sale going 10x42 El $1500
If you’re looking for cheap with quality these are fantastic. $120.
Charlie, I was looking at those to replace the binocs I 'lost' several months back. Just found them yesterday, in a tote of fleece clothes where I don't remember putting them... original Pentax DCF's I've had for 35+ years, still work well.
Charlie thanks. my girlfriend is new to hunting and obsessed with it. She needs binoculars for sure….. but not Swarovski ELs!!! Lol
Go all in on a pair of binos for $120 and you'll never regret it!
Leupold bx4’s are a great bargain. Really clear and bright. Small and lightweight. And, there isn’t a pair of anything made that gathers light better. All in a very ergonomic package.
They aren’t the greatest but, they are dang good at everything. Well below your budget too.
Everyone talks about warranty. Leupold is right there with the best of them in my experience. And, I’ve never returned anything that didn’t break due to my abuse from negligence. Like dropping mine from 21’ out of a ladder stand. Only thing that broke was the lens cover.
I checked out the Sig 20x50 self-stabilizing bino this weekend and I'm regretting buying Swaro 10x42 NL Pures. I mean, don't get me wrong, they're amazing at low light, but once this self-stabilizing tech gets into better glass, I think everyone will be using them. The ability to ditch the tripod and scope for lots of situations is a game changer.
I think 'how much' binocular you need depends on where you're using them. In thick New England woods any decent 8x42 * is more than enough, because you're seldom looking 100 yards. Out west, where you might be scanning a mile or more, top shelf optics make sense to invest in.
*back when I bought mine I was also looking at some Zeiss 8x30's - at twice the price. Didn't have the budget, no regrets.
Binoculars are a lot like boots, what works great for one person may not be the best choice for another person. To me it looks like Jasper needs good, high quality glass for a variety of uses. I'm much the same, might be in a treestand not able to see past 200 yards at one point in my season or sitting out west looking for miles at another point. I can think of at least 8 different pairs of bino's I've used in the past 30+ years. The last 4 are still relevant today... 1. 8.5 x 50 Vortex Vipers - least expensive, worked ok but not great for detail at distance or low light. 2. 11x45 Mavens - Mid price, thought they were nice but still wanted better. Ok to use freehand but didn't gain much on a tripod. 3. 10x42 Swaro EL's - Bought used, thanks Bou. Great all around, no regrets.... 4. 12x42 Swaro NL Pure - FANTASTIC. First tried Steven Ward's in Mexico. Couldn't believe the detail, especially from a tripod. For me these are great. I can use them freehand while sitting in a tree. I used them off my trekking pole in Alaska. I've used them in place of my spotter off a tripod. Small, lightweight and extremely versatile...and yes, expensive. ***5. My son just bought the 12x42 Sigs with power stabilization. Not sure how they will be in low light or how durable they will be but image detail while holding freehand was fantastic! These would be well below the $1500 price range!
Another recommendation for the Sig Zulus. I personally have been using the 16x's for a few years, and have taken them all over the world. Up until that point, I was a huge Zeiss fan, and spent thousands on their binos. Now, they rarely come out of the bag. The image stabilization on the Zulu's is just that good. And, to the question of bulk....they are lighter and less bulky than my 10X Zeiss. They take one Double A battery. So I just keep a couple double A's in the bino harness. (On a recent 10 day trip to Alaska, I think I changed the battery twice.) When I first saw them with my elk guide, I assumed they were $3500 binos. But instead, I got them for $800. A little more than that now, but still well under your $1500 budget. I will probably pick up a pair of the 10X's, because some situations (like sitting in a pop up blind), I just don't need the 16X's.
If you are going to primarily hunting eastern Whitetails I would suggest 8x42 glass. I have a pair of Swaro SLC 8x42 and they have been great. They have also served me well on 5 elk and deer hunts in CO WY and UT. I actually had EURO optics send me birth eh 10x42 and 8x42 to test. In the end I kept the 8s and have no regrets. I do suggest buying the best quality u can afford. Id by used Swaro before I bought new Vortex.
For years I had a pair of entry level Vortex binos in the center console of my truck. Nice to have some glass along for those unexpected times there’s something out there … Then my truck was broken in to, and they stole those binos. So I finally bought a set of 10x42 EL’s - love those binos!!! Only problem is that I don’t dare leave the swaros in the truck full time …
… so I used to have cheap binos in my truck, then I upgraded to no binos in my truck. lol
