Buying New Binos - Looking for experience/reviews

[andersonjk4]

My old binos had to be sent in for repairs and I doubt they will be back to me before my first rifle hunt.  So this is a perfect excise to get some new ones and upgrade. I’ve been getting by with Nikon Monarch 5 12x42s for about 8 years now. I think I have narrowed my search to the following binos in the $1000-$1200 range. The problem is I haven’t been able to locate any locally to get my hands on them. So I’m looking for thoughts, opinions, experiences, etc on the following:I have listed my approximate cost for each one including shipping, tax, coupons, Cabela’s points, etc.

Vortex UHD 12x50 ($1250)
Maven B.2 11x45 ($1205)
Leupold BX-5 12x50 ($1085)
Vortex HD 12x50 ($885)

I was able to compare the Leupold BX-4 12s vs the Vortex Viper HD 12s at Sportsman’s the other day and the Vortex were far better for my eyes. I have different eyes and need to really dial in the diopter on my right eye to get a nice crisp image. I could not get the Leupolds dialed in as compared to the Vipers which came right into focus easily for me. This alone makes me lean toward Vortex.

[Taco280AI]

I'd look for some used Swaros if you can find them in time. A little more $$ but better for sure. And I did compare them before buying them. I expected the Vortex UHD to be better than they were. Have never looked through Maven.

[CarbonHunter]

Have you looked at any Leica’s?  You can sometimes get the Geovid R’s on sale for your price range and then you will have a range finder as well. They also have some binoculars that are priced under $1k but I have looked through those to see how clear they are.

Leica’s are extremely clear and on the Geovid’s you can adjust both lenses independently to get them to match your eyes. 

[jdb]

I have the mavens and love them

[grousetracker]

not big on the vortex, my scope and binos have each been sent back several times, like the mavens, cabelas hd 12x50 are excellent. Just picked some zeiss that are as clear as my swarovskis.

[andersonjk4]

not big on the vortex, my scope and binos have each been sent back several times, like the mavens, cabelas hd 12x50 are excellent. Just picked some zeiss that are as clear as my swarovskis.

Which Zeiss model do you have. I’ve also be looking at the Conquests.

[craigapphunt]

I got the maven 9x45 last winter and am absolutely in love. I'll probably end up with the some B5's in 15x or 18x this winter.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Out of those listed, , bx5 is probably my first choice, although what i have  seen from the mavens would make that decision very hard, and i might go that route simply because its something different. Then the vortex in order. I have spent alot of time behind  much cheaper lueopy glass and the standard vortex and little difference to my eyes, the lupy were much better in termz of quality so i would lean that way, the bx5 is light years ahead of what i was using from them. The clarity and definition from the maven is very high, but i admittedly have no field use.

[craigapphunt]

Not to mention you can try any maven bino and return them if your not happy for a full refund minus shipping. The opportunity to try them in the field in my opinion is worth its wait in gold.

[bracer40]

If you have a Sportsman’s Warehouse near you, I believe they’ll let you buy and try any binoculars for up to 30 days with the ability to return at no cost. At least that’s what I remember hearing from one of the guys at the Everett Sportsman’s.

[hughjorgan]

I have a set of zeiss conquests and Meopta Meostar hds. There both in the 1000-1500 dollar range. For the money I don’t think you can beat the workmanship and quality of the Meopta meostar hd,  there the closest thing to the top 3 alpha glass out there but at half the cost.

That being said the only glass you listed that I’ve actually looked through is the vortex razors. There nice glass but the more reading and reviews I did it seemed lots of people have to use vortex’s warranty which is a great warranty. It left me thinking questioning the quality control in their manufacturing.

Buy what your eyes like, mine happen to like the European schott glass but to each their own.

[HntnFsh]

I agree with the Meostars being a must try. Love my B1 10x42s.
Also look for a pair of refurbished Nikon HGs incredible light weight glass for about $750 or if you can find used $500 isnt uncommon. You can try those out at Cabelas and order straight from Nikon.

[mburrows]

Love my maven B2s and B5s.

[teanawayslayer]

Looked through the mavens this weekend and was not impressed.

[HntnFsh]

Check out optics classifieds over on Rokslide. Ive seen some dandy glass for sale over there for good prices.

[HntnFsh]

Heres an example for some Zeiss on Rokslide. You can also check them out at Cabelas.
https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/open-box-zeiss-conquest-hd-10x42.231974/
Theres also some Trinovids about 7 pages back for $900

Could also call Doug at Cameraland hes having a sale through tomorrow. Pretty sure he accepts returns if your not happy. Just costs shipping.

[Magnum_Willys]

Used my son’s meopta 12x HD - got for $1099,  came home and sold my swaro 10x slc’s.   

…. And bought some 12x pures!  Meopta’s were nice tho .

[mburrows]

Looked through the mavens this weekend and was not impressed.

Curious which model?

[teanawayslayer]

Looked through the mavens this weekend and was not impressed.

Curious which model?

not quite sure @millerwheeler might chime in. They were his. I spotted a black spot that looked like a bear 1500 yards away he pulled up the mavens and said it was a bear. Pulled out the Leica’s and it was a good bear stump. He looked through my binos and could tell a huge difference. Same thing with his maven spotter. There glass is definitely better than vortex though.

[millerwheeler]

Looked through the mavens this weekend and was not impressed.

Curious which model?

not quite sure @millerwheeler might chime in. They were his. I spotted a black spot that looked like a bear 1500 yards away he pulled up the mavens and said it was a bear. Pulled out the Leica’s and it was a good bear stump. He looked through my binos and could tell a huge difference. Same thing with his maven spotter. There glass is definitely better than vortex though.

B2 11x45. And he’s not wrong I was super happy with them until that moment , and know that he will remind me of it everytime  I speak or we hunt I’ll have to probably buy something better than his  ha there decent but I he’s not wrong the clarity was very noticeable in this situation and way better than vortex but  still a budget glass only thing I will say the compact spotter  is very clear the big spotter I almost pushed off the hill this weekend

[millerwheeler]

I will also add !! @Teanawayslayer may be a slight glass knob ha

[teanawayslayer]

I will also add !! @Teanawayslayer may be a slight glass knob ha

[andersonjk4]

Good feedback so far. Thanks all. I have been scouring Rokslide classifieds waiting for that good deal to jump about at me. But I will probably end up buying a few pairs from Cabela’s/Sportsman’s/maven etc, so I have the option to return.

At this point I am far from a glass snob. I have been slowwwly upgrading my binos ove the last 25 years. I grew up with a Dad who’s philosophy on binos was the smaller/lighter the better. My first binos were a pair of tiny Tasco pocket binos. Then I had some small Nikon Tavelites, then Nikon Monarch 10x36, and finally Nikon Monarch 5 12x42.

So basically anything over $500 is a big step up from what I’m used to. And really my only requirement for my new binos is that they aren’t made in China. Japanese or European made only. And I have a strong preference for 12 power.

[C-Money]

My binos are are in the $150-$300 range. I have looked through a set of 10x50 Pentax for years, but recently bought a couple pairs of Redfield 10x42. Kids & I have been using the Redfields the last couple seasons. They are great, but way under your budget. I've never had a better pair of glasses than the 90's vintage Pentax. So many deer and warm memories located by looking through those Pentax binos. They are remarkable. In your situation, I'd look hard at the top end of Leupold and Vortex. Good luck with your selection.

[pianoman9701]

I spent money on a set of 10x50 HD Vortex Talons and have never looked back. They're clear, great in low light, and easy on the eyes for glassing long periods of time.

[KillerBeee]

I've been really happy with the Meoptas that I've been using for a couple of seasons. Meopta Meopro 10x42 from Cameraland. These were in the $500 dollar range and very good for the price.

[dr.derek]

just picked up the 11x45's. very impressed so far

[millerwheeler]

Pm sent

[bman940]

Meopta's MeoPro line of binos is very nice and will definitely not let you down, both in the field and in your wallet. The biggest difference between the MeoStar's, MeoPro Air, and MeoPro line is the low light performance and fine detail. Most binos work great on a sun-filled afternoon, just wait for that cold, dark, and damp day for the higher quality binos to be worth the $. Having spent more than 30 years as an Oregonian I know the value of quality binos when hunting the coast range or the mountains of Eastern Oregon. Those are the times I am glad I spent the extra money and I assure you, I had to be coaxed into doing it by an older buddy who knew the overall value of what I was going to get. I do some freelance work with Meopta and I have used in the field almost every bino they make. Meopta puts value/quality #1. You will definitely understand that as the sun starts to rise on opening morning. Any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I don't do any sales at all.

[HntnFsh]

10x42 Meostars on Rokslide. Think they were listed at $825.
Pretty hard to get better glass for that price.

[Bob33]

I have pair of Nikon Premier LX 10x42 (model 7503) binoculars in excellent condition gathering dust. At the time I purchased them I considered them comparable to other alpha glass models including Swarovski.

Here are a couple reviews from birders.

https://www.optics4birding.com/nikon-premier-lxl-binoculars-review.aspx
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/nikon_premierlx.html

If anyone is interested, send me a PM.

[thinkingman]

I have pair of Nikon Premier LX 10x42 (model 7503) binoculars in excellent condition gathering dust. At the time I purchased them I considered them comparable to other alpha glass models including Swarovski.

Here are a couple reviews from birders.

https://www.optics4birding.com/nikon-premier-lxl-binoculars-review.aspx
https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/nikon_premierlx.html

If anyone is interested, send me a PM.

Great glass and construction.
I have the previous generation and I haven’t seen anything that would make me want to sell.

[RB]

Not sure how they stack up now, but have used Steiner Predator 8X42 for the last 20 or so years and like them, only thing I would change is make them 10X instead. Have not used any of the other brands named.

[wallab]

After 2 years of research and trying different binos I finally pulled the trigger and could not be happier.  I went with the Tract 10 x 50's.  I tried out Zeiss, Maven, Meopta, Vortex, and Nikon (all in the $1,000ish category).  The Tract has them beat hands down.  Plus they had $100 off sale so total was around $675.  Plus they have awesome customer service.

Highly recommend you give them a call if you are looking at new binos.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Never heard of them, have they been around long?