Help me select a new 10x42 binocular

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have a slightly different  perspective possibly. Upgrade the tools that make the most sense for your given situation. If you are glassing clearcuts for 15 minutes at a time. Its going to be hard to justify the cost of alpha glass. Conversely, if you are limited in glassing because of inferior glass than buy the absolute best you can, knowing that once you hit the 1000-1500 you are going to no longer be paying for incremental differences. My pures and swaro spotter are worth every penny to me now, but 10 years ago I was content skipping it every year to hunt out of state. I could afford tags or alpha glass, not both. Alpha glass wont make you a better hunter, its just a better tool.

[blackveltbowhunter]

As far as glass option, maven, gpo, and sig would be 3 i would be looking at hard.

[hughjorgan]

Thanks guys,

I have time today so I’m going down the rabbit hole on research.  I can justify The cost if they are worth it.  I use my Vortex all the time in the woods and they have been fine and they are not HD glass.   I really haven’t looked through a lot of glass so I guess ignorance is bliss.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am off to research.  Merry Christmas.

SR1

FYI if you want a good deal on some vortex razor hd 10x42 bhphotovideo.com has them on sale for 799 right now.

Do you have a link to that actual price? I just looked and it says $999

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/852113-REG/Vortex_RZB_2102_Razor_HD_10x42_Binocular.html

You’ll notice it says next to the 999 price it says “email me for a better price”

Enter your email and they will send you the 799 price.

[highside74]

Thanks guys,

I have time today so I’m going down the rabbit hole on research.  I can justify The cost if they are worth it.  I use my Vortex all the time in the woods and they have been fine and they are not HD glass.   I really haven’t looked through a lot of glass so I guess ignorance is bliss.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am off to research.  Merry Christmas.

SR1

FYI if you want a good deal on some vortex razor hd 10x42 bhphotovideo.com has them on sale for 799 right now.

Do you have a link to that actual price? I just looked and it says $999

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/852113-REG/Vortex_RZB_2102_Razor_HD_10x42_Binocular.html

You’ll notice it says next to the 999 price it says “email me for a better price”

Enter your email and they will send you the 799 price.

Not sure he will find better glass for $799

[kentrek]

Thanks guys,

I have time today so I’m going down the rabbit hole on research.  I can justify The cost if they are worth it.  I use my Vortex all the time in the woods and they have been fine and they are not HD glass.   I really haven’t looked through a lot of glass so I guess ignorance is bliss.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am off to research.  Merry Christmas.

SR1

One thing to consider is how much you hunt, the costs of those hunts and the cost of having longer hunts then shorter hunts...edge to edge clarity, increased field of view along with more prime time glassing will greatly increase the amount of animal's spotted and will have a huge impact on a hunt

In other words...cheap binos cost way more in the long run

Ask me how I know 

So expensive bino's actually save you money because you can find your buck that much quicker and burn less fuel, get back to work sooner etc. Genius  I'm remembering that one for the wife

Absolutely, it's sucks but the opportunity cost of these hunts is real...pluss the upfront costs

Esp when justifying hunting gear 

[hughjorgan]

Thanks guys,

I have time today so I’m going down the rabbit hole on research.  I can justify The cost if they are worth it.  I use my Vortex all the time in the woods and they have been fine and they are not HD glass.   I really haven’t looked through a lot of glass so I guess ignorance is bliss.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am off to research.  Merry Christmas.

SR1

FYI if you want a good deal on some vortex razor hd 10x42 bhphotovideo.com has them on sale for 799 right now.

Do you have a link to that actual price? I just looked and it says $999

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/852113-REG/Vortex_RZB_2102_Razor_HD_10x42_Binocular.html

You’ll notice it says next to the 999 price it says “email me for a better price”

Enter your email and they will send you the 799 price.

Not sure he will find better glass for $799

Exactly and they aren’t far out of what he listed that he wanted to pay

[SeaRun1]

I may purchase an occasional red dot or scope from Vortex in the future.  I will not be buying my new binocs from Vortex.  I do not dislike the company but three returns is too much.  I am going to look real hard at the recommendations above.  Appreciate it everyone.

SR1

[hughjorgan]

I was just trying to stay with in your budget, but that being said I use Meopta Meostars and would highly recommend them. You’ll spend a little bit more money than say the Mavens but you’re getting a higher quality fluoride lens compared to a lot of company’s that are using ED lenses like a Maven or Vortex. You’ll find that all the alpha binoculars use a fluoride lens but everyone has their own proprietary coatings they use to clear up defiencies in the glass. The Meopta Meostar is a great buy for someone on a budget that can compare well to the top three alphas.

[NRA4LIFE]

I will not be buying my new binocs from Vortex.  I do not dislike the company but three returns is too much.

SR1

Welcome to my hell.  Good choice

[jrebel]

I will not be buying my new binocs from Vortex.  I do not dislike the company but three returns is too much.

SR1

Welcome to my hell.  Good choice

Count me in with this crowd.  Bottom of the barrel optics in my opinion. 

[Rigby416]

I currently own Minolta 8x40, Leica 8x32 and Swaro 10x42 binos.  I've owned and used many other lesser brands through the years & I always told myself they were almost as good as the expensive glass.  Well, they are not!  I've had my Swaro's for 20 years and my Leica's for 15 years.  I don't need anything else.  The difference they make in spotting game at daylight and dusk is incredible.  I was in Africa with a friend of mine and we were looking at game side by side.  He had Leupold's and I had my Swaro's.  We were both amazed at the ability to spot game with the Swaro's in poor light that couldn't be seen with his Leupold's.  The majority of the day, they were pretty even.  When it came to the poor light times there was no comparison.  I couldn't afford to buy The Swaro and Leica binos new.  I "horse" traded for them and got them very reasonable.  If you can, take your time and find a deal.  It will be well worth your while and I promise you won't regret it.

[C-Money]

Best binos I ever have had were Pentax. They are still good!! Son and I are using 10x42 Redfield binos the most now. We like them a lot. But those Pentax usually make it into the field with someone in the family.

[Smokepole]

I killed some of my nicest bucks and made the fondest memories using a pair of cheap Bushnell Falcon 7x35 binos.  My advice is to use whatever bino you can pay cash for, and spend more time in the field.  No use owning $2,000 binoculars and then not being able to afford the gas or the time off to go hunting.  Hunt a lot, and make do with the gear you got.   

[JWBINX]

Spend as much as you think you can afford! I own 2 pairs of Swarovski EL's
and you would have a hard time finding anything finer.
However after working with Leupold for 37 years, my BX-4 Pro guide 10x42
are tough to beat for the money. Buy once -cry once.

[jasnt]

Maven
Factory direct means better glass for less $$

Been very happy with mine.