Post by: seth30 on September 30, 2010, 11:26:42 AM
Post by: Jellymon on September 30, 2010, 11:56:52 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on September 30, 2010, 12:06:26 PM
Post by: Jellymon on September 30, 2010, 12:07:27 PM
Post by: longrange7mm on September 30, 2010, 12:09:30 PM
One word, Swarovski.our Kowa, Kahles, Leica, and Ziess quality is everything in optics
Post by: seth30 on September 30, 2010, 12:10:41 PM
Post by: Buckmark on September 30, 2010, 12:12:04 PM
*
Cheap nocs will be grainy and gray....
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 30, 2010, 12:35:49 PM
There are some relative good optics per price point. Let's here how much you have to spend so we can get an idea of what price range you're in and make some suggestions. Just saying 'the cheapest best ones' won't fly. If you're serious about trying to see the edges of those shady areas, or down right into those pockets of brush, then there are many people on here that have used different brands, and models within brands that should be able to give you some advice.
Great glass will cost you thousands.
Damn good stuff will cost less than $1,000.
Pretty damn good stuff can be had for one to a few hundred dollars.
Commonly refered to junk is less than a couple hundred dollars.
There are overlaps in each of these groups. And a few standouts in each group that are quite cost effective for what you get in the box.
-Steve
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 30, 2010, 12:36:27 PM
Post by: seth30 on September 30, 2010, 12:38:36 PM
Post by: addicted on September 30, 2010, 12:40:11 PM
One word, Swarovski.our Kowa, Kahles, Leica, and Ziess quality is everything in optics
meopta, minox, optolyth
Post by: addicted on September 30, 2010, 12:41:55 PM
I used to have a very good pair of bushnells, hopefully someday I pay off the truck and can afford them again. :chuckle: Thanks for your input guys!!
when my bushnells crapped out on me(happens pretty often) i saved up for about 9 months and bought a sweet pair of minox for a steal of a deal. in the low light it is like having night vision.
Post by: dawei on September 30, 2010, 03:16:50 PM
CLICK IT (http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-10x42-trophy-xlt-binocular.html)
Post by: Widgeondeke on September 30, 2010, 03:23:16 PM
Post by: robodad on September 30, 2010, 03:31:52 PM
Quality glass is also a great help but there are some inexpensive binos that allow for low light viewing, like a 7x50 for instance with a 7.1mm EP you can see very well in low light and some of the cheaper brands are good for that, but then you worry about fogging and water resistance and clarity and durability etc... so save some money and get a nice pair with a large EP and you'll be happy !!!
Post by: washelkhntr on September 30, 2010, 07:28:07 PM
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on September 30, 2010, 07:36:57 PM
Post by: addicted on September 30, 2010, 09:33:16 PM
Another thing to look at is the exit pupil in the choice of binos you decide on, it will make a HUGE difference in how much light makes it through those with a large exit pupil, you calculate it by dividing the objective lens MM by the power (i.e. 10x50 would be 5mm, 8x43 would be 5.3mm etc...) so as the light fades your eye dialates and if you have a large exit pupil binos that will let you see much better in low light conditions !! If your exit pupil is say 4.2mm like from a 10x42 binoculars then there will be much less light let through the objective lens to your eye !!
Quality glass is also a great help but there are some inexpensive binos that allow for low light viewing, like a 7x50 for instance with a 7.1mm EP you can see very well in low light and some of the cheaper brands are good for that, but then you worry about fogging and water resistance and clarity and durability etc... so save some money and get a nice pair with a large EP and you'll be happy !!!
and the average human eye only gets to about 7mm max pupil dialation naturally(hence the big night hunting sizes are 7x50 and 8x56) generally someones pupil dialation will decrease with age. also your night vision through binos will appear better if you have a wider feild of view because you have more objects to compare the target to giving it higher apparent contrast. even with all the size options clarity of glass and color rendition through such glass is paramount.
Post by: Bean Counter on September 30, 2010, 11:31:03 PM
I found a decent deal on Nikon Monarch ATB's in camo for $250. When I got them, I was so glad I had lost my last pair. I've been happy with these for five years now. If I lose these Nikon's, I'll probably go up to the $500 range, repeat....
Post by: elk311 on October 01, 2010, 07:28:24 AM
Seth I know where you're coming from and you DONT have to spend thousands !!! I've gone through the full gamut of binoculars everything from $10 Big 5 stuff to mortgage payment Swarovski and while it IS true that the more you spend the better you get. You can still get very good stuff for less than $200. Someone posted that only junk lies below $200 and I MUST disagree. In fact one of my favorite backup bino's is the Steiner Military Marine 8x30 and it list (full price new) $199 and you can certainly find them one sale. That's less than the tax on my Swarovski HD80 spotter!
While not "cheap" at even $199 these are fantastic bino's for the money. Check out ebay or craigslist... pretty much any Steiner glass will get you spotting animals dawn to dusk!
Post by: addicted on October 01, 2010, 02:19:19 PM
Sorry I couldn't resist putting in my... :twocents:
Seth I know where you're coming from and you DONT have to spend thousands !!! I've gone through the full gamut of binoculars everything from $10 Big 5 stuff to mortgage payment Swarovski and while it IS true that the more you spend the better you get. You can still get very good stuff for less than $200. Someone posted that only junk lies below $200 and I MUST disagree. In fact one of my favorite backup bino's is the Steiner Military Marine 8x30 and it list (full price new) $199 and you can certainly find them one sale. That's less than the tax on my Swarovski HD80 spotter!
While not "cheap" at even $199 these are fantastic bino's for the money. Check out ebay or craigslist... pretty much any Steiner glass will get you spotting animals dawn to dusk!
steiners are really good bang for the buck. angelface's grandfather picked up a pair of Steiner ranger 8x56's when they came to visit us so he could take some european glass home. You can get that fancy automatic sport focus on steiners which is great for low light situations because its hard to tell if you are clearly focused in the dark.
Post by: whacker1 on October 01, 2010, 02:44:30 PM
There are good binoculars out there for under $500 and a few select choices for under $300 as others have mentioned.
Best of luck in your quest. I have two other pairs that I gave away and the person I gave them to won't even use them unless he absolutely has nothing else with him.
Post by: seth30 on October 01, 2010, 03:31:42 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on October 04, 2010, 01:19:10 PM
http://crookedhorn.com/cms_ver_03/shop/optics-a-accessories.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12 (http://crookedhorn.com/cms_ver_03/shop/optics-a-accessories.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12)
I need someone to leave a pair of Swaro's on a stump for me to find. :chuckle:
-Steve
Post by: washelkhntr on October 04, 2010, 08:13:01 PM
Post by: addicted on October 06, 2010, 07:50:00 AM
When you do get the request chit approved by the Leutenant, buy yourself a nice binocular harness like this one so you don't leave your new optic somewhere out in the woods. In fact... Buy an expensive pair of bino's so you'll keep that in mind and not leave them on a stump.
http://crookedhorn.com/cms_ver_03/shop/optics-a-accessories.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12 (http://crookedhorn.com/cms_ver_03/shop/optics-a-accessories.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12)
I need someone to leave a pair of Swaro's on a stump for me to find. :chuckle:
-Steve
my first purchase after i got my MINOX
Post by: seth30 on October 09, 2010, 08:54:41 AM
Well, I took Seth out yesterday and went up in them hills. I think he had more time on my Swaro's then I did. :chuckle: He didn't try to leave them on a stump, but he was definately thinking about shoving them in his pocket when he got out of the truck at the end of the day. :chuckle:
cant blame a guy for trying :P
Post by: CountryslickR on October 25, 2010, 07:35:33 PM
One word, Swarovski.
I couldn't agree more!!!!
Post by: DRDANTDC on November 04, 2010, 09:41:12 PM
Sorry I couldn't resist putting in my... :twocents:+1... the 8x30 military marines are a great bino for $200.
Seth I know where you're coming from and you DONT have to spend thousands !!! I've gone through the full gamut of binoculars everything from $10 Big 5 stuff to mortgage payment Swarovski and while it IS true that the more you spend the better you get. You can still get very good stuff for less than $200. Someone posted that only junk lies below $200 and I MUST disagree. In fact one of my favorite backup bino's is the Steiner Military Marine 8x30 and it list (full price new) $199 and you can certainly find them one sale. That's less than the tax on my Swarovski HD80 spotter!
While not "cheap" at even $199 these are fantastic bino's for the money. Check out ebay or craigslist... pretty much any Steiner glass will get you spotting animals dawn to dusk!
Post by: Tony 270 on November 04, 2010, 09:51:16 PM
Post by: addicted on November 05, 2010, 07:31:31 AM
no one over here sells them so i guess I'll have to wait....... unless someone wants to send me a pair to test along side germany's finest :rolleyes:
Post by: Steve C on November 09, 2010, 10:11:22 AM
And, no these days you don't need to spend a ton of money to get a decent glass. Not that it is not money well spent, but it makes no sense to unload a grand or two for a binocular that might get used only several days of the year. On the other hand it is not wise to unload just a few bucks on a cheapie just because you only use it a little during hunting season either.