What are you using for binoculars
- Thread starter Logan370
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I hunt with Swarovski EL 8.5x42's. Before I had laser surgery to correct myopia and some pretty severe astigmatism, I couldn't tell the difference between good and really good binoculars. Now I can, and i appreciate the quality of the Swaro's. If your eyesight is such that the quality and clarity of really good binoculars are wasted, don't feel pressured into buying something that will do you no more good than a pair of middle of the road $1000 binoculars. But $500 binoculars are a waste of money for nearly everyone who actually uses binoculars much.
I disagree. $500 binoculars are still way better than $100 binoculars. Buy the best you can. To say $500 binos are a waste of money implies that $500 binos are somehow not worth buying if thats the best you can afford, and I think pretty much anyone would tell you thats ####ing crazy talk. $50 binos beats no binos.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I actually agree with you to a point. The difference is my qualifier, "$500 binoculars are a waste of money for nearly everyone who actually uses binoculars much" How I see most hunters use binoculars is to identify stuff after they've already seen it with their bare eyes. They don't use their binoculars to search for and find game, only to identify or judge game. As a result, they only look through their binoculars for brief minutes at a time. Spend hours and hours with binoculars as your search tool, and the difference between low end and good enough becomes very obvious after a few sessions. Perhaps my perspective from Western Canada is different than those who hunt farther East. Take a look at the picture. You could walk for days in that country and not find as much game as you would just sitting and glassing for a few hours.
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That's what I bring into the field, the Bushnell Ensign Insta Focus 7x35 wide angle. I'm surprised to see that someone else out there actually has a pair. I bought them new, they're getting old now but they're still great all round glasses, light fairly compact, clear pretty decent in low light exactly when I usually need them and with the wide angle I have a better chance to see what I'm looking for. I have used other better glasses but I always go back to the 7x35's they seem to be just ideal even though they aren't high end glasses.
As someone who both has sub-$500 binos and also spends a lot of time glassing, I can assure you that they are not a waste of money. I'm also in Western Canada and its not flat here, nor have I had the luxury of spending a day looking through $2500 binos, but I have looked through the $60 bushnells and $150 Celestrons that my friends have and the difference is clear, especially in low light. Would a more expensive bino be even better? Sure! But that doesn't make something in the $300 price range worthless at all.
I hear the really cheap stuff can give you headaches after a while. I don't find that to be an issue with my Leupolds, even after 2 hours sitting behind the tripod.
[QUOTE=Dogleg : The Swarovski EL ranging binos are what you want. You just don’t know it yet.
Have you EVER looked thru Leica Geovid 10 x 42 Ranging Bino's ? RJ
Have you EVER looked thru Leica Geovid 10 x 42 Ranging Bino's ? RJ
Korth is the distributor/warranty depot. I picked mine up at Cabelas.
I run top end Leupold 10 x 50s, and have no need to spend an extra $1500.00 to realize a minute
upgrade in clarity or resolution. Plus, with Korth so close, should anything screw up, it is
easy and quick to get it resolved.
On a side note, I have a friend who lost, not 1, but 2 sets of Swaros to thieves inside of a month. Dave.
upgrade in clarity or resolution. Plus, with Korth so close, should anything screw up, it is
easy and quick to get it resolved.
On a side note, I have a friend who lost, not 1, but 2 sets of Swaros to thieves inside of a month. Dave.
Bought a pair of B&L 7 x 50's in the late 80's for $500.
They are heavy but sitting, overlooking a field in the early morning, I can see the white rumps of deer before they show to the naked eye.
While researching availability for a friend recently the trend is towards 8 x 42 and they are considerably lighter.
Prices ran from $300 to $800 but the limit was put at $600.
They are heavy but sitting, overlooking a field in the early morning, I can see the white rumps of deer before they show to the naked eye.
While researching availability for a friend recently the trend is towards 8 x 42 and they are considerably lighter.
Prices ran from $300 to $800 but the limit was put at $600.
In the price range mentioned I would look at Pentax. They are very well regarded by birders, and those folks know quite a bit about good glass. - dan
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Vortex Viper 10x42 are decent but I think I will upgrade in the near future.
Dogleg : The Swarovski EL ranging binos are what you want. You just don’t know it yet. Have you EVER looked thru Leica Geovid 10 x 42 Ranging Bino's ? RJ[/QUOTE said:Yeah, I have a set and listed them in my post. Had 8 x 42s before that. As far as that goes; just about everyone I know with the Ranging Swarovskis “used” to have the Leicas.
Why do you ask
