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.