Top Tier Binos

[ctwiggs1]

Hi folks,

I had the opportunity to visit The Outdoorsmans down in Fountain Hills, AZ last week.  Very cool company and really great staff.  For the first time in my optics-purchasing experience, the sales guy actually brought the binos outside so I could see the real difference in various models.

I'm 100% sold on buying a pair of top tier binos at this point.  I'm just not 100% sure on what model.  Right now I'm leaning toward Swaro EL 12x50.  They're not much bigger than my current 10x42s and they'd serve me great in WY and AZ.  The clarity was amazing.  Zero fuzz around the edge of the glass.

For those of you who have played this game and used various top tier binos, do you have any other models worth mentioning?  It seems like the best glass is coming from swaro, zeiss and leica at this point.  I'm ruling Vortex out as an option and I'm almost 100% sure that I'm ruling Leupold out.  I've also tried some nice Mavens and didn't really feel they were any better than my current binos, despite being 3x the price.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[opdinkslayer]

But what feels the best & looks the best to your eyes. No wrong answers in the alpha glass category imo. I own Swaros in case you’re wondering

[BKMFR]

I've have or have had most highend brands Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss.... I use mostly Swarvoski now, and 12X 50's are my "Go To" over 8's, 10's, and 15's in most cases.

[Bob33]

I own and use binoculars from Swarovski, Nikon, Leupold, Fuji, and Leica. Magnifications run from 8x to 16x. Depending on the application, I’ve found all to be satisfactory. If you’re only glassing for a few minutes at a time in good lighting conditions the differences between brands can be slight.

It’s hard to go wrong with top end glass from Swarovski, Leica, and some Zeiss models. Whether or not you will notice the differences from one brand to another is usually a personal matter. The differences are often in how colors are rendered rather than the ability to resolve details. There can also be differences in the physical feel of the binoculars and factors like eye relief that might make one brand more appealing.

For general purpose use I prefer 10x42 models.

Good luck in your quest.

[b23]

Can't say that I've looked through all of them but of those that I have and have used, when it comes to binos, Swaros always tops the list for my eyes.  If hand holding and spending a lot of time behind them I much prefer the 8.5x42.  If using them off a tripod then more magnification is ok.

[jjhunter]

I’ve owned and hunted with most of the alpha glass over the past 20 years.  For my eyes, the best glass has consistently been Swarovski during that time.

[Reidus]

Have you looked at the 12x42 nl pure? Much better than the 12x50

[Magnum_Willys]

Used Meopta 12x50's in Utah for a week and sold my Swaro 10x50 SLC's right after.  The extra power was more helpful than anything for these old eyes.  But if going high-end might as well jump to the top - New Swaro Pure 12x42.  Buy once cry once.

[M_ray]

JJ would know!

FWIW I've owned Swaro EL's and currently have Leica 10x42 HDR and love them! My spotter is Swaro. If I were ever to give up the Leica's it would be for the 10x 42 EL Range.

Other than that Ive had several of the other next tier Leupold, Burris, Nikon ect and I'd save my money on all that other stuff. I consider Swaro and Leica the front runners. 

[Rainier10]

I've had nikons, then Meopta's and finally swaro's.  I went with the 10x42 EL's and got my wife the 10x42 SLC's.  After multiple "can I use your binoculars?" I ended up buying her a set of EL's as well.  I don't think you can go wrong with Swaro's and then it becomes personal preference in which model of Swaro you get.

[Pinetar]

JJ would know!

FWIW I've owned Swaro EL's and currently have Leica 10x42 HDR and love them! My spotter is Swaro. If I were ever to give up the Leica's it would be for the 10x 42 EL Range.

Other than that Ive had several of the other next tier Leupold, Burris, Nikon ect and I'd save my money on all that other stuff. I consider Swaro and Leica the front runners. 

  This pretty much sums it up well. Leica or Swaro in binos and Swaro in spotting scopes

[Pnwrider]

While we are spending your money, make sure and look through a set of the new Swaro NLs. I was really impressed!

[greenhead_killer]

Gotta remember too, it’s not the daytime glassing that matters, it’s the first and last 20 mins of each day. The differences can be huge.

I run swaro el 10x42s. Great all around size.

[Rainier10]

Gotta remember too, it’s not the daytime glassing that matters, it’s the first and last 20 mins of each day. The differences can be huge.

I run swaro el 10x42s. Great all around size.

times 100.  Low light is where the difference is.

[HntnFsh]

Try the ELs before you by. Some people can't use them because of the rolling ball effect from the field flattening lenses.