Old pair of 1993 8x42 Bausch & Lomb Elites. At the time they listed for $1900. I never paid that, I picked the used from the original owner for less than a quarter of the original price. Still pretty high end when compared to the $1000.00 ones of today.
What are you using for binoculars
- Thread starter Logan370
- Start date
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
So you Feel that the Swaro's are a better BINO then the Leicas ? RJ
Hurketthunter84
Member
- Location
- Northwestern Ontario
8x42 Nikon atb’s. Bought over a dozen years ago and used every year with zero problems. They’ve shown me a lot of game.
buck knife
CGN Regular
- Location
- Golden forest
Steiner predator 10 by 42, best glass I've ever liked through by far,got these new in the box for $100 at a discount outlet 25 years ago,still work like new and have seen all kinds of weather.
Ordered some Vanguard Endeavor EDII in 10x42 a few days ago to replace my very old cheap Bushnells that went all screwy on me last week. According to the Binocular geeks on a few of the birdwatching forums I hit up for info they’re supposed to be about as good as it gets for cheap (sub $500) binos. I was considering a pair of the Bushnell Forges, so if these ones suck I’ll send them back and get the Bushnells. Either way it should be a big step up from my old ones.
Right now all of the dealers seem to have good quality HD binocs on sale. Black Friday is coming as well.
Check out the offerings of the banner supporters. They all have high end/quality glass on sale, some, if they're display units at around 50% of regular price.
I picked up a set of Zeiss Terras 10x40 for $350 last year. Excellent glass, during the day I can't make out any difference between it and the Swarovski. The Swarovski only makes the difference noticeable during the last five minutes or so of shootable light.
Check out the offerings of the banner supporters. They all have high end/quality glass on sale, some, if they're display units at around 50% of regular price.
I picked up a set of Zeiss Terras 10x40 for $350 last year. Excellent glass, during the day I can't make out any difference between it and the Swarovski. The Swarovski only makes the difference noticeable during the last five minutes or so of shootable light.
Do you have a picture of these by any chance?
I have used my Swarovski SLC 10x42's for over 20 years now and have been very happy. Sent them in a couple of years ago to get reconditioned in Rhode Island and they practically rebuilt the whole set...only cost me a little shipping and close to a 3 month wait over the non-hunting season. Love them! You can find these used for $1000-1200 if you look around.
I have to say that I have been very impressed with the Minox binos I picked up for my wife and my daughter at various times...the glass is better quality than the price would suggest. If I had to replace my SLC's today, I would seriously look at the their top model which runs about 2/3's the cost.
Check CameraLand online, they have some great sales and often have demo models and opened box products for great price savings!
Another quality glass to look at is Kahles. Picked up a pair for the wife to upgrade her binos this year and they are very nice. They have glass in the upper price range of the OP's budget.
As far as the rangefinding binos go; I have owned the Leica's and they are great glass and the RF works very well. I have also compared them side by side with a friend's Swarovski's and I found the Swarovski fit my eyes better (more comfortable adjustment). I sold my Leica's, but have not yet purchased the Swarovski's. Just my luck that our dollar tanked as I sold my Leica's and the price of the Swaro's jumped to over $4K at the time.
I see Leupold has not introduced a RF bino and I am looking for reviews on the product.
I have read good things about the Sig's.
Kahles makes a RF bino too, but is only available in Europe. Found a place online where they can be ordered...seriously considering it as I have been very impressed with the Kahles products I have over the years (and I am not worried about the RF not going out as far as other models...if I can't range it...I am nowhere close enough! LOL)
I have to say that I have been very impressed with the Minox binos I picked up for my wife and my daughter at various times...the glass is better quality than the price would suggest. If I had to replace my SLC's today, I would seriously look at the their top model which runs about 2/3's the cost.
Check CameraLand online, they have some great sales and often have demo models and opened box products for great price savings!
Another quality glass to look at is Kahles. Picked up a pair for the wife to upgrade her binos this year and they are very nice. They have glass in the upper price range of the OP's budget.
As far as the rangefinding binos go; I have owned the Leica's and they are great glass and the RF works very well. I have also compared them side by side with a friend's Swarovski's and I found the Swarovski fit my eyes better (more comfortable adjustment). I sold my Leica's, but have not yet purchased the Swarovski's. Just my luck that our dollar tanked as I sold my Leica's and the price of the Swaro's jumped to over $4K at the time.
I see Leupold has not introduced a RF bino and I am looking for reviews on the product.
I have read good things about the Sig's.
Kahles makes a RF bino too, but is only available in Europe. Found a place online where they can be ordered...seriously considering it as I have been very impressed with the Kahles products I have over the years (and I am not worried about the RF not going out as far as other models...if I can't range it...I am nowhere close enough! LOL)
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I'm happy enough with my restored Steinheil Optik 8x40 binoculars, which give me a very clear and nicely aligned view of whatever, even in quite low light. But I'm curious about something which has come along recently - a Pentax/Ricoh cooperative effort apparently, the VD 4x20 convertible binocular/monoculars/telescope:
Anyone got an opinion or insight about the utility and quality of this thing? Seems like a nifty tool as the weight is low and the optical flexibility could come in handy at 20x, at least in decent light. I doubt they'd gather enough light to be very useful at dusk in the telescope configuration.
Anyone got an opinion or insight about the utility and quality of this thing? Seems like a nifty tool as the weight is low and the optical flexibility could come in handy at 20x, at least in decent light. I doubt they'd gather enough light to be very useful at dusk in the telescope configuration.
