Time for some new binos

[JH]

I have been using Bushnell Buckhorn 10x42s for about 6 years and am ready to upgrade. I don't know too much about binos but have been happy with the 10 power that I have been using but some times wish I could see a little further. I use them for hunting on the eastside for mule deer and elk. My friend has the Swarovsksi which I have looked through and were real nice but I not sure they are worth the money.

I am looking for a pair of binos that will last me at least 10 years. Is it worth going with a premium set like Swaravski or are there midrange that equal performance?

[wildmanoutdoors]

You get what you pay for! You should have seen a HUGE diference between your Bushnells and the Swaro's. Huge!

Your 10x are fine. Its the lack of quality glass that makes your distance problems.

I have a set of Leupold BX 3 Mojave that are great for around 500. But they dont compare to Swaro's!

[Holg3107]

there really aren't any "mid-range" sets that will compare to Swaros, that said going with a set of Vortex Razor HD or Viper HD depending on your budget is what I would recommend. Either will be lightyears better than what you have now and will last if you take care of them.  :two cents: That said there are guys who swear by every brand and will give you completely different info. There are some real "gear heads" on here that will give you better info than me but most everyone is biased so take it with a grain of salt. At the end of the day you really need to get out in the field and try as many pieces of glass out as possible and make your decision based on that. I went through the same thing last year and went the Vortex route and am very happy with my decision as for my $500 budget they were the best I could afford. In a few years they will be my backups as I upgrade.

[Bean Counter]

Are you going to be hunting in a few weeks on the eastside with these new binos? The best way to get a deal is to be patient and full of information. If you're up against a deadline of a hunt in which you will need the optics, you will pay closer to retail. I would educate myself as to the nature of multicoated vs coated optics, different prism coatings, and warranties and reputations amongst the various manufacturers. Swaros hold their value for good reason but there are plenty of other high end quality manufacturers out there who make great glass that will last a lifetime. I was patient and informed and was able to save $1,000 off a high end pair of binos. Have a wad of cash in hand and check Craigslist and other classifieds daily for deals. Meet in a public place (with your handgun just in case) and be ready to whip out bills at a steep discount.

[bobcat]

I just got the Vortex Viper 10x42's. They're the best binoculars I've ever owned and I've been hunting for 35 years. They're a step down from the best that Vortex makes, the Razor, but I was stretching my budget in getting the Vipers, and at $1200, the Razors weren't even an option. I'm not planning to upgrade for many years, if ever.

[superdown]

If you are looking for anything compact in nature then i would have to highly recommend these Zeiss 10x25 conquest.I bought a pair for my dad about ten years ago he loves them and so do i. We hunt together most of the time so i get plenty of oppertunity to use them they are great quality and you will have a hard time finding anything as compact that preforms as well.  http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/987329898/zeiss-conquest-compact-binocular-roof-prism-with-case-black?srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=33-338106998-2&ads=&cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google-_-pf_ci_google

[BKMFR]

I have tried most of them, and have been using the same pair for the last 5+ years, I am always trying the new stuff, but keep going back to my Leica Duovids 10/15x50. Mind you they are not a zoom, but rather a 10 power or you can move to 15 power. They work great, and Leica is good as any out there in my opinion.

[JH]

From the reviews and people I am talking to it seems that everyone who has gone premium such as Swaros or Leica has not regretted it. I have been budgeting for this so I can swing it but want to make sure I get the right ones for me. I am looking at the SCL, EL and Ultravid in 10x42. I want to get my hands on some to see if there's some ergonomic differences to me as I feel all will blow me out of the water based on what Im use to.  Anybody use those models? Anything to look for when I side by side compare them?

Thanks

[jjhunter]

You can't go wrong with any of those.   It will most likely come down to the ergonomics and what feels best.   I owned all of the models that you listed and of the 3, prefer the ELs.   The SLC HDs and Ultravid HDs are great glass too.   You really can't go wrong with any of them.

[Peskadot]

I like the vortex binos. Good quality for the price. Great warranty/customer service also.

[Bob33]

There is a difference between $500 binoculars and $2500 binoculars. The differences are slight. Whether or not you can see and appreciate the differences depends on the individual. It may be seeing a third point on a buck or gaining an extra two or three minutes at dawn and dusk. Some may notice those differences while others may not. It is tough to justify the additional cost of the best, but they cost more for a reason.

[Bigshooter]

There is a difference between $500 binoculars and $2500 binoculars. The differences are slight. Whether or not you can see and appreciate the differences depends on the individual. It may be seeing a third point on a buck or gaining an extra two or three minutes at dawn and dusk. Some may notice those differences while others may not. It is tough to justify the additional cost of the best, but they cost more for a reason.

For me it was hard to see a difference when I upgraded binos.  For example I used some leupold goldrings for a few years then bought a pair of swarovski 10x50 slc's.  When I first got the swarovski's I thought they were a little better.  Then I only used my swarovski's for a year without looking through my old goldrings.  Then one day I pulled out the goldrings for my dad to use and I looked through them.  It was like looking through coke bottles, I couldn't believe it.  The same thing happened slightly when I went from the 10x50's slc's to my 10x42 el's.  I didn't notice much when I got the el's but after looking through them only, for a year and then looking through my old slc's there was a difference that I didn't notice when first made the switch.