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Author
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Topic: Binoculars?
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RedRabbit
Knows what it's all about
Member # 796
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posted March 30, 2006 10:19 PM
I want to get into some high end binoculars but I find it hard making my mind up since Swarovskis are, so exspensive. I want to get a low power magnification an high FOV something like 7x42, or 7x50 for spotting movement at all hunting distances for coyotes in particular. I know the cheaper ones just dont compare to brands like Swarovski, Lica, Ziess, but for the money what binos have the best quality for the price.
Im going to plunk down the money no matter what the price, but Id like to know what you guys are using to help me make my decission. Tell me what they are, the price and what you like about them from your experience in the field.
Thanks
RedRabbit
[ March 30, 2006, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: RedRabbit ]
Posts: 241 | From: SE IDAHO | Registered: Jan 2006
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Cal Taylor
Knows what it's all about
Member # 199
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posted March 31, 2006 07:23 AM
I have the Swarovski 10 x42 SLC's and I wouldn't trade them for ten of any cheaper brand. Spend the money, you'll never regret it. And they will last you a lifetime.
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
FoxPro Field Staff Member
Posts: 1069 | From: Wyoming | Registered: May 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 31, 2006 08:13 AM
Unless they're stolen...
One thing seems fairly consistant, field of view is basically the same, at the same power, across the board. Of course, they may not be clear all the way to the edges, in more inexpensive brands?
The B&L Elites seem to be first class glass and are a little cheaper than top tier Euros.
I have 7X50s and a pair of 9X35 Gold ring Leupolds. The Leupolds go everywhere with me. (except on a stand) I was mildly surprised when Higgins showed me his pair, some time ago. He uses the same 9X35 Leupolds that I do. Not available anymore, and I guess they are not the "high end" you are considering, but they suit me fine.
A lot of people speak well of Nikon and Pentax.
You have several decisions to make. What power. What brand. What style? Roof prisms get all the attention, but the poro prisms are cheaper and just as clear.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Az-Hunter
Hi, I'm Vic WELCOME TO THE U.S. Free baloney sandwiches here
Member # 17
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posted March 31, 2006 06:04 PM
Cal is spot on in this thread, get the 10X42s and dont look back. I used the big brother of them last year for glassing whitetail, the 15X60s....WOW, what great glass, if I'd sell three or four of my rifles I could afford a pair myself!
Posts: 1670 | From: 5 miles west of Tim | Registered: Jan 2003
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RedRabbit
Knows what it's all about
Member # 796
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posted March 31, 2006 06:28 PM
Ok I think I have it narrowed down to Swarovski and Lica I stopped in at the local gun barn and tried a pair of Lica 8x50 and they were impressive and the price was $1056.00 I tried a pair of Swarovski 10x56 I know the Swarovskis would be the better they seem to have a slight edge over the Lica even with the increase in power, but then I saw they ordred in the last of the feather weight model 70 winchesters and low and behold there sat a 22-250 those binos just might have to wait till fall. Now a month from now if the winchester is gone I'll get the binos if the rifle is there I'll wait till fall, then maybe I'll be ready for the Swarovskis.
GeeWizz! you ever had this problem? Im doomed...I feel like the bastard calf standing at the gate.
[ March 31, 2006, 06:33 PM: Message edited by: RedRabbit ]
Posts: 241 | From: SE IDAHO | Registered: Jan 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 31, 2006 07:27 PM
Might be something here that blows your skirt up?
http://www.samplelist.com/
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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UTcaller
NEVADA NIGHT FIGHTER
Member # 8
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posted March 31, 2006 07:53 PM
Why don't you get real wild and buy you the Leica(Geovid BRF) Rangefinder Binoculars.Ranging from 10-1300 yards.The 10x42 only run $1995.99 in Cabelas. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
[ March 31, 2006, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: UTcaller ]
Posts: 1708 | From: Utah | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted March 31, 2006 09:44 PM
Get the binoculars. I busted open the piggy bank over ten years ago on a set of 8x30 Swarovski bino's and have never regretted it. It seems they go up in price $25-50 a year so you might as well buy now and get some use out of them.
AZ-Hunter is right on about the 15x56's Swaro's. My buddy has a pair and he brings them bear hunting every spring. Set those babies up on a tripod to stare across a canyon and its damn close to a religious experience.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Az-Hunter
Hi, I'm Vic WELCOME TO THE U.S. Free baloney sandwiches here
Member # 17
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posted March 31, 2006 10:10 PM
Ain't that the truth Lonny, absolutely amazing glass,and your correction is well taken, they are 15X56. Ive never looked thru a binocular for more than three hours, without feeling like my eyeballs were being pulled out of my skull, but with the Swarvos....it almost feels like a relief to peer thru them for extended periods.
Some day, I'll have to get a pair of each.
Posts: 1670 | From: 5 miles west of Tim | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 31, 2006 10:26 PM
I was fishing down in Cabo, East Cape, actually, and the guy in the next cabin was Austrian, so in the course of conversation, I mentioned Swarovski Optic. He said he never heard of them? WTF?
this one is $1500 on that above site.
Do they have a tripod mount?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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RedRabbit
Knows what it's all about
Member # 796
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posted April 01, 2006 05:36 AM
Leonard,
Those Europeans must not be in touch with their inner hunter as we are here in the U.S. but I talked with a guy the other day who never had rifle or any one to show him anything on the subject ever in his life and he wanted to buy a 22lr. He didnt even know the difference between a rimfire and a centerfire. I really had to simplify things for him , like no! you cant shoot deer with it and such.... Poor bastard
A friend of mine has some Swarovskis and said one time he went on an elk hunt forgot he left them on the table at home, he said he felt handicapped the rest of the hunt. Another friend said he left his on the side of a mountain, only to never find them again. I said thats why they put a good neck strap on them, he just gave me a really dirty look...
I checked out that site and it really gets my libido going...Swarovski here I come.
Thanks
Posts: 241 | From: SE IDAHO | Registered: Jan 2006
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted April 01, 2006 05:54 AM
$1500! Damn. They have gone up a few hundred since I got mine.
Tripod adapter sold separately Leonard.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted April 01, 2006 08:07 AM
Ain't that the truth, Dave. Every time I see them jacking the price of optics, I congratulate myself for my many shrewd purchases, in the past.
Really, how can they do that? I know quality optics cost a lot, but current prices border on rediculous.
Good hunting. LB
PS, that price is for a demo.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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grayman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 822
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posted April 01, 2006 11:16 PM
WOW! 1500 for optics?!
Personally I just went with some run of the mill bushnells. Why? Because I prefer to put money into my guns optics then my binos.
Just my opinion, but my bushnells are fine for the field.
-Grayman
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[Img]http://www.graymanmedia.com/sigs/animated/grayman.gif[/img]
Posts: 46 | From: West Valley City, Utah | Registered: Mar 2006
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csmithers
unknown comic
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posted April 04, 2006 02:57 PM
i have a pair of nikon monarch ATB's that are awesome. the get the quality of glass that is in them you have to pay upwards of $700 in a different brand. i just couldn't bring myself to pay $1500 dollars for a set. i suppose i'd get laser vision correction before i'd pay that and if i lost them.......
although if i made my living hunting as some of you do it'd change my opinion.
[ April 04, 2006, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: smithers ]
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Nahuatl
Knows what it's all about
Member # 708
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posted May 28, 2006 06:36 AM
Shopping for optics has been fun this spring.... several new rifles needed scopes and none of them were cheap. Good glass has gotten a bit pricey, but I've found some good stuff over the past month or two.
One of the best deals on binoculars I ran across was at SampleList. They have Steiner 8x56 Nighthawks refurb's for a decent number. A bit heavy for long walks (maybe the 8x50 marine is a bit better for that) but they're very bright, well armored, super waterproof, and a great value if you don't have $1500 to spend. ((I've been using a pair of Nighthawks for a decade (??) and they've been to Africa and Alaska many times. A friend of mine from Anchorage turned me on to Steiners quite a while ago. Guides like them because they withstand a lot of abuse, work well, and don't break the bank.
And if you haven't checked out IOR Valdada rifle scopes, they deserve a look. Very "Zeiss" in many aspects, but made in Romania. I'll have more to say about IOR by the end of the next season.
Posts: 202 | From: Mount Gleason, Angeles NF | Registered: Sep 2005
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted May 28, 2006 09:37 AM
Leonard,
Where do you fish on the the East Cape? I fish the same area. Curious as to where you go and stay.
Ain't those Sierras tasty?
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted May 28, 2006 10:08 AM
Rancho Leonaro
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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ba_50
PAKMAN
Member # 735
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posted June 03, 2006 04:32 AM
The latest Outdoor Life test articles recommended Bushnell Legends.
Posts: 6 | From: Illinois | Registered: Nov 2005
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted June 20, 2006 07:08 AM
I've been thinking about getting a pair of Steiner 10x 50 predator field glasses
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5613 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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rooster32
Knows what it's all about
Member # 61
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posted June 30, 2006 09:11 AM
I own the Swarovskis EL 10x40's and love them. This past spring, we were filming a turkey hunting show which was partially sponsored by Nikon. So..all the optics in the show had to be Nikon of course. The Nikon bino's were really nice. If I was in the market for some bino's and didn't want to spent $1000, I would definately check these out. Their still pricey, but not way out there.
Posts: 26 | From: Sandy, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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