Really Good Binos

[AJP]

The "rap" against cheaper glasses is that they can go out of collimation easily resulting in eyestrain and just nasty viewing experience... this can be checked out (well sort of - not a foolproof method) by setting the binos on a flat surface.. window ledge for example and viewing another horizontal parallel surface/straight line...the line in both exit pupils should appear to be on the same plane...if not ..you have a collimation issue. Some Bushnells (and lots of other less expensive bino's) have issues ..

Getting the top end (eg Nobilem, Deltrintem) Zeiss Jena (DDR) bino's for $200 is a great deal. Well done! They are over here a not well known but outstanding bino - in some cases yet to be bettered!

There are some good and unusual options out there. I have a limited commercial version of the Leitz Canada (ELCAN) 7x, 50 developed for the military that are extraordinary but a little heavy - overbuilt. Got them from a friend who worked for Leitz at the time.

I guess the preference for 10x in a hunting bino is dependent on your style of hunting...I have 10x, 50SL Swaro's but much prefer 6x,30 Habicht for hunting (actually more often I use the much cheaper and pretty good Pentax 6x Marine)... I guess it is a result of the lectures pounded into my head about "Why things are seen" ... shape, colour, movement etc.....I find with the wider field of the 6x I am more likely to "find" game than I do with the limited field on the 10x ... also I can hold it steadier longer and therefore enjoy using them for extended periods.....if 10x works for you that's great ... but there was a reason that infantry used to gravitate towards 6x and artillery liked 10x; I guess now that infantry ride to work a heavier bino you can hold stable on a vehicle is ok...but for walking... 6x is better imho.

 

[spressomon]

Reading more about the Cabela Euros (10x42) makes them a likely choice for me. I have been shopping for a higher end pair...however just couldn't justify spending much above a grand. Looks like what I will do...and the Cabela's warranty is tops too!

 

[inthewall]

I use swarovski and leica . But for your price range I would suggest Leuopold Windrivers in 8x or 10x I buy all my optics from outdoorsmans.com in arizona. They beat almost everyone on price and they really have a lot of knowledge when it comes to optics

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Thanks guys, all useful input. LandPimp, I loved the forum you sent, I ended up staying up until 0230 reading

As I've mentioned, I do have a set of Zeiss Jena's that I love, but they don't meet all the criteria that I want - they are not waterproof, and the weight is a bit too high.

I'm interested in the Cabela's version, but there aren't any Cabela's in Canada (yet) and I'm not willing to buy something unless I've been able to give it a try. Generally the same situation with the Leuopolds, they just aren't that common (maybe Bass Pro has them here?).

Does anyone have any experience on the Bushnell (former B&L) Discoverer series (the roof ones, not pirros) - I tried these at the store and they optics were very 'bright', HUGE field of view of 420'. As I did some reading last night people seem to say they outter 1/3 of the lens has some blur, I'll have to check this out.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Landpimp]

Yup, your correct about the Zeiss Jena, heavy(but not really that bad) and not waterproof......but what a sweet bino I have an odd set Zeiss Jena, a 10x50 with range finder.....really neat optic

I am replacing my Steiner 8x30's with the Hesoldts, I have 3 Hensoldt scopes and they are some of the best glass I have used, 1 scope is 1960's vintage........much better glass than my 6 month old Leupold MRT 3x9 which cost 1K!

take alook at the SWFA sample room, some nice deals in there and SWFA is a top notch outfit!

Thanks guys, all useful input. LandPimp, I loved the forum you sent, I ended up staying up until 0230 reading

As I've mentioned, I do have a set of Zeiss Jena's that I love, but they don't meet all the criteria that I want - they are not waterproof, and the weight is a bit too high.

I
Cheers, Hugh

 

[AJP]

In Canada... LeBaron sells Leupold Wind River and Gold Ring..they have a web site.

They also sell B&L or Bushnell (whatever they are called now) high end glasses which are ok. If you are at the Discoverer price point (and really want roof prism) then I recommend that you look at the Pentax DCF SP

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

In Canada... LeBaron sells Leupold Wind River and Gold Ring..they have a web site.

They also sell B&L or Bushnell (whatever they are called now) high end glasses which are ok. If you are at the Discoverer price point (and really want roof prism) then I recommend that you look at the Pentax DCF SP

I think this is a great tip. From the reading I've been doing lately, it looks like the Pentax DCF SP are very strong. They seemed to be well priced at this point as well (~C$500 / US$low 400s) as they seem to be replacing them with a higher end version. I'll try and give them a shot tomorrow. I will also go to LeBaron, I hadn't thought of them.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[Pluton]

Recently bought Minox 8x42 BL BR's...Reg price $330 or so, on sale for $269.
Outstanding optics(just short of $1K+ Zeiss,Leica,etc.) and lightweight due to polycarbonate body. Waterproof, close focusing, and EASILY viewable w/ eyeglasses on. For the money, outstanding.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Well, I just ordered a set of Pentax DCF SP 8 x 43 for a trial. I spent a bunch of time at a number of camera / optics places trying various models, but none of them had this version of the Pentax in stock.

I finally found a place, confirming my deepening view on the importance and value of small specialized stores, that is highly focused on optics for birding, hunting, etc located near Point Pelee (NA migration focal point / path). They STOCK over 150 high-end optics and allow side-by-side comparison outside on their deck. Unfortunately, the physical store is closed until the end of March, but they are still operating internet sales.

After a long discussion with the manager (he gave me his home number - I love small stores!) I ordered the Pentax. Price and shipping was better than any of the big box and Internet stores in Canada (I got them for ~US$450) and close to the US$440 that many US places are carrying them for (+ higher shipping and brokerage fees).

The manager is giving me a good chunk of time to field test them (one other frustration I have with most other stores that only want you to test them inside) to see if I like them.

Here is my summary:

- There are some great forums and reviews to help educate before and during your shopping.

http://www.opticstalk.com/default.asp as Pimp noted is very good and hunting oriented. A similar quality forum is http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112 more focused on briding (interestingly, some of the 'players' are the same on both). Laura's binoculars.org provides some useful insight as does the Cornell binocular review.

- No real comment on magnification and objective lens size as I tend to believe this is highly dependent on what you are using them for, where and when you use them, personal preferences, etc. In my mind those that say 'only 8x' 'only 10x' etc is like saying 'you'll like pasta better than pizza'! For my use (Eastern, forests, lakes, hiking/wildlife/birding, dusk performance, 'ease of carry') the 8 x 43 is right for me. If I was back hunting caribou in the arctic, a 10X would be better, etc.

- I'm not a super pro, so I don't really have a lot of comment on the CA associated with different bins, etc. I'm like most people where I can tell differences that I like and that are important to me.

- My personal bias is that I really do believe that you get what you pay for with bins (and optics in general). I think the sub $100 is generally trash, the mid price $300 can get you some very good bins, $500 gets incrementally better (eg build quality, better optics) and then you hit a bit of a grey zone where I wonder about the value vs. just saving for a 'big 3 + Nikon' high-end bin. If I had a bigger budget, I would shell out the $1,000+ to get some serious hardware.

- Nikon Monarchs - I think Nikon did a very good job building bins for a great price point above the usual low-end trash. They have most of the features and functionality that people want (e.g., waterproof, light, good optics for the price, good warranty, good size, good range of mag and objective combinations). I quite liked them - loved the size and weight, but found them a touch dark and, as expected, a bit fuzzy around the margins of the lens. I think the body is synthetic and they are made in China. Would not hesitate to buy them (and may for the wife) at this price point. Rank very well in the Cornell study.

- Bushnell Discoverer - Surprised at the quality of these bins (given that I always associate Bushnell with low end bins) and the huge 420' field of view. This made them very 'bright' with sharp optics but, given the large FOV, a bit more fuzzy around the edge. They are a bit heavier than the Monarchs, but also felt a bit more rugged (not sure if the body is synthetic or not and not sure where they are made). Again, would not hesitate to buy them and would like to do a more extensive test of them outside, side-by-side with the Monarchs. Not ranked in the Cornell study. Depending on the price, I would also keep an eye on the Elites - may be able to get good value with these if they are deeply discounted.

- Zeiss Conquest - I really didn't get the change to do a full analysis of these, but there seems to be relatively limited reviews on the net. The optics are very good, as is the warranty, etc. My biggest issue is that, for the price, I think you are better off starting to look at the 'top guns' for a few (hundred) $$ more.

- Other Models I considered a few other models (e.g., Vortex Stokes model), but in most cases I was a bit hesitant to try them given the lack of local availability, service, trial, etc.

- Pentax DCF SP - Yet to test them! Based on my research, they seem to get very favourable reviews by both birders and hunters and are viewed as a very good value bin. They rank well in the Cornell study and are in the category above the Monarchs etc. For me the incremental $ seemed to be worth it - time will tell. I liked the fact that they are a cast magnesium alloy body (like my Toughbook!), JIS 6 waterproof (spray jets, to 1M), seemingly very good quality optics with reasonable CA and a flat and sharp FOV, reasonable FOV, good 7' close focus capability, reasonable weight ~ 24oz, solid warranty, very good exit pupil and eye relief (up to 22mm), I believe they are made in Japan, etc. Rank well in the Cornell study

This used to be one of their top of the line models, but they are releasing a new ED glass version that will have a higher price point (US$900), so I think this is why most places are clearing these out with reasonable prices vs the US$700 list). When I get them, I'm going to really give them the gears with some resolution tests, etc. I can compare them with my Zeiss pirros (which again are great, but not well suited to trail use).

Thanks again for all the input!

Cheers, Hugh

 

[canman]

Thinking of getting a good used pair. Thought I would see if anyone had any more suggestions seeing that this thread is now quite old.

 

[Landpimp]

traded a 44 mag for a pair of Zeiss Victory 8x42......very very very nice glass, hands down the best I own, but at $1800 retail they better be.

also gathered a few more pair of Carl Zeiss 7x50's.......still can't say enough good things about them, paid $150-200. Still some of my favorites.

and a shocker, a pair of Nikon(forget which) 10x50's that are shockingly decent and cost $8 at Goodwill

looked though some of the Vortex stuff, the higher end is very good.

 

[canman]

There are a few vintage ones for sale on kijiji here locally. Any thoughts on the following:

Vintage CARL ZEISS JENA SILVAMAR 8 x 30 Binoculars - 1952 ($59.00)
Serial Number: 2544440
Item Condition
Reasonable condition for their age, some dirt and cosmetic wear remains. Know little about these, but there seems to be some dirt or fungus on the optics.

Fisher-Dietz (7 x 50) - $35.00

Carl Wetzlar (7 x 35) - $60.00

Kurt Muller (7 x 50) - $60.00

 

[IRIEOB1]

I love my Steiners. I loved the 7x50 Military when I had access to them and I love my more practically sized 8x30s now.

The way they use your own eyes to do the focusing (Sports Auto focus) is awesome and perfect for varied use. I love not having a focus knob. Definately try it out at a shop. The rubber armour is perfect for outdoor use.

Service is excellent too! I purchased a reconditioned pair from SWFA.com. After using them for several months during a trip to Alaska, I detected a very minor flaw in one of the lenses. I emailed them and they had me ship them the Binos. In a week they sent me a brand new perfect pair.

When I was shopping I didn't detect a large quaility difference at the >$500 range.

Steiners at SWFA.com

Hands down the best out there

 

[ForealBoreal]

bought a set of Zeiss Conquest HD5s in 8x42 and I love them.
You can notice the difference comparing to the older conquest series.