10x42 Binocular Recommendations

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I need binoculars and am looking for the best bang for my buck (what else is new?).
I'm thinking I want to spend up to $450 on a set and so far my options have pointed to:
- Vortex Crossfire/Diamondback
- Bushnell Trophy
- Nikon Prostaff 7/Monarch 5
- Cabelas Intensity
- Leupold BX-1
And the wildcard that I know nothing about, but seems to review well:
- Upland Optics Perception

The Monarch 5s are almost a different price class compared to the rest but are currently on sale, the Uplands don't seem to exist in Canadian stores and would have to be ordered in, but have reviewed extremely well (I don't know if they're shill reviews or not) so I'm curious.

What are some real-world experiences with these models, and what models am I overlooking?
Also, I wear glasses so eye-relief is a major consideration for me.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Vortex Crossfire/Diamondback or Leopold BX-1 in your price ranges are probably the best of what you have listed. Vortex has the best warranty. Leopold's warranty if bought in Canada may not apply.
 
get a good glass and you won't need 10x- they're too big and cumbersome in real life- drop down to 8 x40 and you'll find that's the ideal glass for most situation- on a side note 10x50s are what they use on ships for spotting submarines
 
RatFink said:
I need binoculars and am looking for the best bang for my buck (what else is new?).
I'm thinking I want to spend up to $450 on a set and so far my options have pointed to:
- Vortex Crossfire/Diamondback
- Bushnell Trophy
- Nikon Prostaff 7/Monarch 5
- Cabelas Intensity
- Leupold BX-1
And the wildcard that I know nothing about, but seems to review well:
- Upland Optics Perception

The Monarch 5s are almost a different price class compared to the rest but are currently on sale, the Uplands don't seem to exist in Canadian stores and would have to be ordered in, but have reviewed extremely well (I don't know if they're shill reviews or not) so I'm curious.

What are some real-world experiences with these models, and what models am I overlooking?
Also, I wear glasses so eye-relief is a major consideration for me.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

None of the above...

I wear glasses and appreciate quality glass...I have owned Swarovski and Leica.

I bought Minox BL 10x42 BR and they are just excellent. Brighter than my buddy's Leupold. Do a google search for a dealer.

Just found a CGN dealer - sales@gobigtactical.ca
 
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guntech said:
None of the above...

I wear glasses and appreciate quality glass...I have owned Swarovski and Leica.

I bought Minox BL 10x42 BR and they are just excellent. Brighter than my buddy's Leupold. Do a google search for a dealer.

Just found a CGN dealer - sales@gobigtactical.ca
Click to expand...

Thank you Guntech!

Yes we have the BL 10x44 in stock ($830) they are an excellent choice! If you're budget can't accommodate that we also have the BV 8x44 ($405) which are a great set of binos for the price! We have other models on our website and can get others in stock as well
 
Thank you for the suggestions.
Unfortunately I am a firm believe in trying before I buy, so as much as I'm interested in Minox product, I can't find any in town to actually compare.

I made it to cabelas tonight and tried the following, with commentary (based on my few minutes of testing with each):
- Monarch 5 10x42 - surprisingly good. Blew the Diamondback out of the water for image clarity and field of view and pureness of colour. Lightest and most compact of the bunch in hand.

- Diamondback 10x42 - Meh. Decently clear, field of view seemed limited as a result of my glasses and eye-relief. Everything appeared yellow due to coatings.

- Viper HD 8x42 - sadly didn't have a 10x to compare against the others, but this might be a good thing as this proved how shaky my hands are. The image clarity was slightly better than the Monarch 5, with a much greater field of view (obviously since it was 8x). Felt good in hand, has the benefit of allegedly coming with a chest rig in the box as well. Vortex warranty can't be beat.

- Monarch 7 10x42 - Showed up its little brother in a big way when it came to field of view. Same power magnification but much wider image, even within the confines of the store. Slightly better clarity to the Monarch 5.

- BX-1 10x42 - not even worth looking at compared to the others.

Based on my experience tonight, I would be inclined to step into the Viper and the Monarch 7, with the Viper taking a slight edge due to warranty, but I can't get the Nikon images out of my head and just how much better the Monarch 5 was to the Diamondback, and even the 7 vs. the Viper.

The Nikons are also much cheaper on Amazon compared to the Vortex.

The new question is... 8x or 10x. A better 8x might do me better than a 10x when I am not glassing with sticks or something to rest the binoculars on, since shaking hands don't do anyone favours when it comes to spotting deer in the brush.
 
I used 7 and 8 power for years... but I ended up with 10 power and I am happier... it's about the most power you can hand hold...
 
I've been using a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42s for a few years and quite like them. I want to say I got them for about $300 although I want to say they were on sale as they had been replaced by a newer model. Just picked up a pair of Leupold BX-4 Pro-Guide 12x50 HDs off the prize table at a match last weekend and I have to say, they are really nice (but I think they retail around $800 and are heavier/bigger than the 10x42s).
 
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Ive run bushnell elite ($500) and the metal retention clip they used at the time snapped while i was hunting, later dropped out of my pocket and down the river. Never bushnell again. Had a set of Leupold Acadia ($275) binos that were decent but were always reliable and never Fogged up. Last year they were stolen from my truck and ive now bought a Vortex Viper in 10x42 ($750). the picture is nice and clear in one lens but the other is already foggy. Leupold is REALLY slow to roll out their new product line but ill be going back to them or spending the extra dough on a Leica or Swarovski from now on. I would recommend that you stretch your budget as much as possible for the best glass you can afford or can't. Buy once, Cry once, then collect the dividends.
 
I have an 8x42 diamondback. It's ok for the price, but the pin cussioning really annoyed me. So I looked for a new one and compared the usual suspects in the 400-700 price range to the diamondback. I went with the Monarch 7. It has overall better optical quality than the diamondback and I enjoy using it. It's not an alpha, but for me it was the best bang for the buck.
 
Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming. I like to know I've researched something to the millionth degree before dropping cash. I hate buyer's remorse!
 
the reason dennis went to 10s is b/c he hasn't seen distance since he moved to bc- yea, I know he's good friends with myke from canmore- I carry 2 sets- 8x40 for distance vision and a pair of 10x20 folders for close up work- I found I developed "eye twitch" with 10s if I used them for very long- and you should listen to dennis as he was in competition for years- he KNOWs whereof he speaks-I carry a 12 power on the rifle, but for dusk and dawn you want field of view, not magnification-ie you have to be able to SEE what you're looking at-
 
I went out on a limb a couple years ago and bought a set of sightron 10x42's. I don't remember the exact model off hand but I believe sb ii. They were around $700. In that price range they beat everything I have tried. Which is the Nikon, leupold and vortex competitors in that price range. They are very sharp with a very nice and firm focus dial that doesn't need to be refocused every time I pick them up. Low light performance was slightly better than the vortex and leupold to my eyes and my 2 hunting buddies. Much better than the Nikon binos which were 15 years old and likely had the coatings failing.
Unfortunately you won't be able to try before you buy unless you are close to one of the 2 site sponsors that carry them. I'm very happy with mine. But at the same time wish I had waited longer and stepped into the $2000 range.
 
I'm no expert on the subject but very happy with my budget nikon prostaff 3s 100 42 for only 150 on sale at best buy with free shipping. Impressive 367 ft. Fov , comparable to an 8x magnification.
Strap and bag are not great though. Great bang for your buck imho.
 
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