New Bino's $400-$600

[gallion_t]

For the past 10-12 years I have been using a pair of Wind River 10x50mm binos. A couple weeks ago I shipped them back to Leupold to get a couple of very minor repairs done and they sent me a brand new pair of Leupold Rouge BX-1 10x50mms. Well I have decided to sell those (They're in the classifieds if anyone is interested) and upgrade a bit. I think I want to stick with the 10x50 size and would like to stay between $400-$600. Right now the front runners are Vortex Viper HD (From Elknut) and Leupold Mojave BX-3. The two things I am most concerned about are clarity and low light. Since I dont think I can convince Cabelas to shut off their lights for me to test them in low light conditions does anyone have experience with both in real life situations? Which would you suggest? Are there another pair that fit my requirements in that price range that will be better quality?

Any input people have would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to have these by the modern deer opener. Also if there is a neck strap that you would recommend. I have been using the bino buddy system but they're starting to wear.

[dog]

I have some Leupold Mojave BX-3 and I'm very happy with them. Very good in low light conditions.

[gallion_t]

Thanks for the input.

[Duckslayer89]

I also have the Mojave and I'm very happy as well

[HntnFsh]

Check out the Zen Ray primes in the classifieds.  Excellent  glass for the money.

[D-Rock425]

Zeiss terra.

[gallion_t]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Am I missing something or do both of those only come in 10x42?

[CoryTDF]

http://alpenoptics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=alpen&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=83


Look into these. I'm working on a review right now for them and I have to say that I am impressed. They have a warranty just as good as Vortex. I know ALPEN is not the brand that pops to mind when you are looking for optics but I have to tell you they have fantastic customer service and these are damn fine glasses.

Here is a link to another review done by

http://www.allbinos.com/169-binoculars_review-Alpen_Optics_Teton_10x50.htmlhttp://www.allbinos.com/169-binoculars_review-Alpen_Optics_Teton_10x50.html

I'm not trying to sell you on these at all I was just really surprised at ho much I like these and thought I would share.

[hoytem]

I have the 10×42 leupold Mojave and like them. A buddy chose the Zeiss terras for about the same price. Both are good quality for the price range.

[mburrows]

Nikon monarchs are in that price range and are pretty good quality.

[The scout]

  the monarch 5's are pretty nice, that being said I have vortex

[Buzz2401]

I would go zeiss terras or Nikon Monarch's fo that price.

[HntnFsh]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Am I missing something or do both of those only come in 10x42?

No your right. Sorry I overlooked that part. But I would say that if I was you I wouldn't rule out a 42 mm objective.

[GoldTip]

You simply have to go to Cabela's as close to closing time as you can, hang around, and hang around and get someone to let you take a couple pairs to the door, they will do it, the situation just has to be right.  There has to be absolutely NO one else they need to help and be within 5 minutes of shutting down the joint.  Right now the Post Falls store closes after dark, so you can get a couple pair in your hands, get the "sales associate" to carry a couple pair and go to the door.  Focus on a car that's out in the parking lot a ways and see which one lets you read the plate or name tag the best, right at dark and before the parking lot lights show on the cars.  This will really let you make the best decision on how to spend your money.  I have a pair of Nikon Monarchs, and old pair of Leupold Wind Rivers, and for the third season now a set of Swaro EL rangefinder Bino's and this is how I have compared them all.  Both the Nikon's and the Swaro's were bought in that manner described above at Cabelas. The wind rivers were purchased back in '95 at White Elephant.

When it comes to the ridiculous high dollar optics like I am lucky enough to currently have, the difference for me was the clarity between the the swaro, leica and Zeiss.  I think the combo pair of Leica's is a better rangefinder than is mine, but the clarity of mine was far superior, FOR MY EYES,  than was the Leica, and that was what I was really paying for.

[hoytem]

Mojave come in a 50 as well

[chester]

Zeiss terra.

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[nwwanderer]

Kowa BD 10XD 10x42 Prominar 

[Wacenturion]

Check out the Zen Ray primes in the classifieds.  Excellent  glass for the money.

Ditto on that....Zen Ray are incredible for the $$.  Charles(?) (Zen Ray) is also a sponsor here.  Check them out before you buy.

[gallion_t]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Looks like I will be needing to take a trip to Cabelas here soon to look through some glass. Im kind of shocked that this wasnt one sided towards Vortex. Seems most of the threads I read on optics tend to go that way and they were my leading choice. I am also contemplating jumping up to a 12x.

[CAMPMEAT]

Vortex...

[Jonathan_S]

I've used a few of the Vortex binoculars, I'm currently using the Crossfires in 10x50.  The Vulture HD are an awesome option too and those are well under your $600 mark.

It's crazy the binoculars in the $300-400 range are really improving in quality.  I think that for almost all types of hunting, a good 8x42 or 10x50 will cover 99% of needs.

Everything else, I'd personally rather use a scope 

[KevinClimbs]

I've used both the Nikon Monarch 7's and the Vortex Viper HD's. Both good glass in that that price range.

[gallion_t]

Well I went to Cabelas last night and looked through several pairs. Mojaves, Viper HD, Terra, and a Cabelas brand. They didnt have any Nikons Monarch 7s in stock for me to look through. I was looking through both 10x42s and 10x50s. I still like the Mojaves and Viper HD the most but couldn't really tell a difference between the two or between the 2 different size objectives. Of course I was in the store so I couldn't get a great feel for them.

At this point my gut is telling me to go with the vortex, but my brain is telling me that the Leopold are $100+ cheaper and if I cant tell a difference then why spend the extra money?

[Duckslayer89]

Ya plus I'm not sure about Vortex warranty but I know Leupold is great. Something to consider

[gallion_t]

I know Leupolds is great, but everything I have heard is Vortex is even better.

[CAMPMEAT]

I have the Vortex Diamondbacks. Paid $225 delivered to the house. Better than my Nikons. But, I won't spend $600 on a pair of binos. I use mine year around too.

[Pueblo]

+++1 for Zen-Ray Summit ED  you cannot go wrong with these.

[fullpipe77]

I have the vortex razor 12x50.  I have been out watching the big bucks walking around @ dusk and dawn. My friend was teasing me about spending a grand  on glass.  Let's just say he had his eyes opened as he  look through what money can give you. He said damn that's crisp clear and freaking bright!!!! I said thanks. I was watching deer until 830.  That was the only way not enough light for my reg eyes.  I know if your out  way early and late the 50 objective is a must. I love my 12 especially on a Tri pod. His binos craped out around 7 Evan than I could not stand to look through his glads after mine.  Maybe I'm a bino snobb,

[jackelope]

Ya plus I'm not sure about Vortex warranty but I know Leupold is great. Something to consider

Tough to beat Vortex' warranty. Lifetime no questions asked.

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[Brad Harshman]

I went to my local sporting goods store, Tristate in Moses Lake at dusk, and looked through many pairs in the sub $400 budget.  At the end of the day I bought the Nikon Monarch 5 in 10x42.  I love them.  My buddies who have Vortex, prefer my Nikons.  You have heard good advice in previous posts, and at the end of the day it's an individual's decision. 
In your budget, most all the binos come with the same warranty. Find the best glass for your eyes and never look back.

[pashok23]

I have some Leupold Mojave BX-3 and I'm very happy with them. Very good in low light conditions.

[Limhangerslayer]

I just purchased the talon hd's and it's hard to beat the glass or warranty of vortex.   I wasn't impressed with the eye adjustment of the bx-3's

[bankwalker]

I just returned my viper hd spotter today. opted for a set of 12x binos. (I wanted 15x50 viper hds but couldn't wait for shipping time)
Looking through viper hd, talon hd, and nikon monarch 5s all in 10x power to compare each quality (cabelas didn't have all them in 12x to compare).

I went with the nikons in 12x42 for $299 on sale right now. I love how small and light weight they are, they're smaller than my cabelas alpha extreme 8x42s.
The focus dials are butter smooth.
The ED glass is great. I took them with me tonight out fishing and the low light viewing was great for a 12x42 and pretty small exit pupil. I was quite surprised

Now then...The viper hds were brighter than the nikons. But they were not $369 brighter than the nikon monarch 5s.

I would definitely look at the nikon monarch 5s or 7s. I don't think they have 12x in the monarch 7s. But most people opt for 8 or 10 x.

Also for what it's worth. The guy behind the counter made mention that Nikon is pushing towards having a very similar warranty to that of Vortex.

[JDHasty]

Ya plus I'm not sure about Vortex warranty but I know Leupold is great. Something to consider

Tough to beat Vortex' warranty. Lifetime no questions asked.

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Tough to beat either.  I have sent Leupold gear in to them on Monday and had it sitting in my front room on Friday when I got home from work.  But Swaro, Leupold, Vortex are all absolutely fantastic.

I have a six-year old and have told Vortex to invoice me for the cost to undo the damage the kids have inflicted on my 6x32 Viper (screwed the ocular off while I was watching the Eburg Rodeo) and they simply would not hear of it.  I bought both kids Leupold 6x30 Yosemite binoculars and have never had to send them in for any reason.  When my 12-40x60 scope got lens fungus it was back w/new lenses in it in less than a week.  Over the course of the last 45 years I have busted up some Leupold gear on accident and never one time could I get them to take my money when I told them to invoice me for damage caused by my own negligence.   Swarro has been just as good about bending over backwards to get my gear fixed and back in my hands and if I have ever been asked to pay for a repair I don't remember it. 

Nikon - well we also have Nikon optical instruments and really like it.  We have a pair of 8-42 EDG bins and they are as good, or better than anything out there, but honest to God if Nikon ever gave two hoots in a barrel about getting broken gear repaired in a timely manner or getting parts in your hands by the time you need it or even answering your correspondence - it is a well kept secret. 

[jackelope]

Kinda goes along with my experience with Minox also. Had a md50 mounted to a tripod fall out of the back seat of a jeep on 35's. Landed on the spotter. Broke off the foot where the tripod mounts to the spotter. Repaired under warranty even after I asked for an estimate for repairs after explaining exactly what had happened. Actually sent me a new scope in the package because they couldn't fix it.

[cbond3318]

I don't have a pocket full of reviews to offer because I usually ran the 100$ bushnells because I had a habit of destroying gear annually. Now that I am a little older and a touch wiser I upgraded to the Vortex Talon HD 10x42's , not hard to be blown away considering what I came from but they are awesome and I have the confidence to use them knowing I have the best warranty in the market backing them up.

[Bean Counter]

...
Nikon - well we also have Nikon optical instruments and really like it.  We have a pair of 8-42 EDG bins and they are as good, or better than anything out there, but honest to God if Nikon ever gave two hoots in a barrel about getting broken gear repaired in a timely manner or getting parts in your hands by the time you need it or even answering your correspondence - it is a well kept secret.

Surprised to hear this! 

I had a pair of the Monarch ATBs and after 5+ years of hard, heavy use one of the eyecups came lose. They sent me an upgraded pair for free in good timing. I sold them and found a steal of a deal on a 10x32 EDG and I agree, its like crystal meth on glass 

If I had to buy a pair at retail right now without thinking I'd probably go for the Monarch 5. The 7s are better, namely in field of view, but you gotta pay a lot more to get there. Both the 5 and 7 will be a cut above the 3, namely because the internal prisms are dielectrically coated as opposed to silver coated.

[JDHasty]

I was probably a little hard on Nikon.

Nikon has been very good to me over the years and I certainly appreciate everything they have done, but there have been times that I have not even been able to get them to answer my correspondences. 

I purchased a Nikon Field Microscope http://nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/fmicroscope/fieldmicroscope/index.htm , which was in their North America Sport Optic catalog for a year or two, for my kids and have been trying for years to purchase the accessories that were shown in the Sport Optic catalog. I presented this Field Microscope to my daughter on her fifth birthday and she will be seven in less than two months. 

WTF, if you go to the page linked above the accessories are clearly shown but by God as my witness I have spent at least twenty hours on the phone and have sent dozens and dozens of emails to Nikon trying to purchase these accessories and finally just gave up. 

I bought this for my kids to use with the hope being that owning this optical instrument will help to start them on a life of inquiry into the natural world around them.  My kids get a pair of good binoculars when they turn three, 6x30 Leupold Yosemite, and are encouraged to use everything we own, and we don't have junk.  It just frustrates the living hell out of me that Nikon has been so damnably unconcerned that I cannot purchase the accessories for this instrument.