[NA] Binoculars

Let'sgoflying!

Let'sgoflying!

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Dave Taylor
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Anyone using a pair they like?
General wildlife observations; durable; compact; might see some rain
 
I have owned a lot of binoculars over the years and was surprised when someone recommended the Vortex Diamondback HD in 10x42. They have become my favorite pair that I use all the time now when hunting. For the money, it would be hard to beat. You can usually find them on sale during this time of the year, with a lifetime warranty for around 200 bucks.
 
I have Nikon, (Action? I think, I have to dig them out of the closet). They work very well for checking out Jupiter.
 
I bought my wife a pair of Nikon 7x35's for birding. We keep them around the house for looking at airplanes as well. Somewhere around 7 or 8 is kind of the sweet spot between magnification and ability to hold things by hand.
 
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Hypie said:
I have owned a lot of binoculars over the years and was surprised when someone recommended the Vortex Diamondback HD in 10x42. They have become my favorite pair that I use all the time now when hunting. For the money, it would be hard to beat. You can usually find them on sale during this time of the year, with a lifetime warranty for around 200 bucks.
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Same. I've been pleasantly surprised. I got my Viper 10x42 free, which is about the best deal out there. Traded to my neighbor for access to my land for hunting. Hands down the best binoculars I've ever owned.
 
Along these lines, does anyone have a spotting scope they would recommend?
 
My best binos are Zeiss Conquest 8x32. Good balance of size and performance. Excellent warranty service. Just under $1,000.

I also have Steiner Marine 7x42 for boating. The "autofocus" (really just fixed focus) works very well for the environment it is intended for, but they are heavy and bulky. Around $500.

Also have Zeiss Terra 8x25 for backcountry skiing where weight is most important. Nothing to brag about optically, but much better than the cheapos in same format. About $300.

B&H Photo is a good source.
 
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Steiner predator 10x42. Replaced my Steiner Merlins with them
 
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flyingron said:
I bought my wife a pair of Nikon 7x35's for birding. We keep them around the house for looking at airplanes as well. Somewhere around 7 or 8 is kind of the sweet spot between magnification and ability to hold things by hand.
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Hard to go wrong with Nikon.

For land based use, 8x is the practical limit for freehand use. Tripods or bracing are necessary at higher mags.

The Navy did exhaustive testing during WWII and determined 7x was the optimal mag for seagoing lookouts.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Steiner is good glass. Do you use a tripod? I've never been able to offhand with 10x.
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Elk hunting. Usually just a quick glance to confirm something I saw with my Mark I's. If I'm glassing I'll sit and brace my elbows on my knees.
 
Ed Haywood said:
My best binos are Zeiss Conquest 8x32. Good balance of size and performance. Excellent warranty service. Just under $1,000.

I also have Steiner Marine 7x42 for boating. The "autofocus" (really just fixed focus) works very well for the environment it is intended for, but they are heavy and bulky. Around $500.

Also have Zeiss Terra 8x25 for backcountry skiing where weight is most important. Nothing to brag about optically, but much better than the cheapos in same format. About $300.

B&H Photo is a good source.
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I have a Zeiss riflescope on my AR10. That thing is clear as crystal. It isn't the lightest option in its class, but 4x-25x and a great reticle. I would think their binoculars have to be of similar glass/quality.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I have a Zeiss riflescope on my AR10. That thing is clear as crystal. It isn't the lightest option in its class, but 4x-25x and a great reticle. I would think their binoculars have to be of similar glass/quality.
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Amongst the bino nerds, Zeiss and Swarovski are usually considered the two "ultra premium" brands. The optical differences between those and the next perceived market tier (Vortex, Steiner, Nikon, Leica, etc) are probably imaginary. But when you get older and have some extra dough, it's fun to treat yourself to the "best" once in a while.

One caveat: the Zeiss Terra is made in China to Zeiss specs. Still good quality but more of a price point line.

For rifle scopes I'm a Leupold guy by tradition. Vortex has pretty much taken over the defense market.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Amongst the bino nerds, Zeiss and Swarovski are usually considered the two "ultra premium" brands. The optical differences between those and the next perceived market tier (Vortex, Steiner, Nikon, Leica, etc) are probably imaginary. But when you get older and have some extra dough, it's fun to treat yourself to the "best" once in a while.

One caveat: the Zeiss Terra is made in China to Zeiss specs. Still good quality but more of a price point line.

For rifle scopes I'm a Leupold guy by tradition. Vortex has pretty much taken over the defense market.
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Nikon and vortex have been pretty hit or miss for me. Really depends on what line you get. Probably true for all brands.

Zeiss and Swarovski are nice. But imo its more brand id than orders of magnitude better. Are Swarovski really that much better than my Steiner predators to warrant the 4x price premium
 
Ed Haywood said:
B&H Photo is a good source.
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If you're ever in NYC their physical location isn't too far from Madison Square Garden. We had an hour to kill a couple of years ago and dropped in on a whim. They have quite the display room and an overhead trolley/conveyor system to deliver your items to checkout. The whole fam was impressed.
 
I hit up goodwill or a pawn shop when i want those. I don't use them enough to pay retail or anything but a thin fraction of it.

There always seem to be a pair or two of 10x40 or 10x50 which do the trick fine enough. My last pair were freecycled to some locals at Kruger Park.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Amongst the bino nerds, Zeiss and Swarovski are usually considered the two "ultra premium" brands. The optical differences between those and the next perceived market tier (Vortex, Steiner, Nikon, Leica, etc) are probably imaginary. But when you get older and have some extra dough, it's fun to treat yourself to the "best" once in a while.

One caveat: the Zeiss Terra is made in China to Zeiss specs. Still good quality but more of a price point line.

For rifle scopes I'm a Leupold guy by tradition. Vortex has pretty much taken over the defense market.
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The riflescope I have was on par with any of the Steiner, Tract, or Nightforce options in that same size/zoom. ZCO/S&B were about the only ones "above" in terms of premium brand choices, but I wasn't willing to drop $4K+ on an optic, lol.
 
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