Binocular Suggestions?

Slug870

Slug870

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I am looking to pick up a set of binoculars as my old hand me down Bushnell set has finally sh*t the bed on me after 10+ years of off and on usage. The thing is, I don't know enough about binoculars to buy a set "best suited" for what I need.

I will be using them primarily for coyote hunting, so they have to be durable, waterproof and able to withstand temperatures down to -20C. I do not require top of the line optics, nor do I have $400+ to spend, but I also don't want to buy crap, so I am trying to get info on what I guess would be mid-low range optics.

With the different options such as 7x50, 8x42, 10x50 etc, I really don't know what I should be shopping for. Anyone able to offer some advice and or suggestions?

Thank you.
 
There are so many choices. I went to the local sports shop and asked if I could take a couple pairs outside. After checking them out I ended up with a pair of 8x 42 Nikons. They seemed OK and didn't cst over $200. I have since aquired a set of 10x burris binos. They were cheaper and for the truck. The big difference is at dusk, the Nikons are sharper. I can only imagine what Swarovski glass would be like. You should be OK with 8 or 10 x. Try before you buy is the best advice.
 
I recently purchased a pair of Vortex Crossfire 10X42mm Binoculars from Wholesale Sports for about $180.00 taxes included. These are Vortex's entry level binocular and for the money I found them to be more than acceptable. I don't have a ton of experience with optics, that's probably why I'm satisfied with them. But for a budget Bino, I think they are perfect. Very serviceable for the coyote hunting I'm doing. Anything over 10X is too shaky without good support.
 
8x42 Pentax works okay for me. 10x50s are just to bulky and heavy to carry all day IMO. I lost on one of my frequent moves an older pair of Tasco EXP 8x42 binos (Made in Japan then) I intended to replace them with Monarch 8x42s until I finally purchased the Pentax brand.
For the money I spent on them, ($300) no regrets here.
 
In my experience binoculars are one of those products where you really do get what you pay for; spend as much as you can afford.

In the $400 price range I'd go with Giggidity's suggestion and look at the various models by Vortex. We just picked up a set of Vortex Vipers for a friend who is using them for birding in Ethiopia and she's very happy with them. I looked at lots of reviews before settling on that model.

If you can afford to wait a little longer to spend a little more you can check out models by Kahles, Steiner, etc. My main pair is a set of Kahles 8 x 42 I purchased used off ebay. They are absolutely fantastic.

I think 8x42 is the perfect setup for hunting. Any bigger than 42mm and the binoculars become too bulky to carry comfortably all day; any more powerful than 8x magnification can lead to jerky images and eye strain if you're using them free-hand. If you mostly hunt from a truck or tree-stand YMMV and the extra light gathering of a 50mm lens may be worth the bulk and the opportunity to rest the binoculars during use can make up for the movement-sensitivity of an increased magnification.
 
i've got 2 - one pair of 8x40 carl zeiss that i've had forever and a set of bushnell 9x27x50 that go on a TRIPOD, b/c i like to "look" in the off season - the camera with the long lens goes on a tripod as well- in a hunting situation, the 8x40 does all you want, without going to weight of a 50mm lens - be sure and look at a bunch before buying , as they're not all created equal, but try to get the best quality and options you can- and get that "window mount" as well - that thing really works well
 
Well I have been doing a bunch of reading on various sites, and I have pretty much decided (as a few have suggested) that 8x42 is probably the best bet for me.

There certainly are a lot of options out there and a very broad spectrum of pricing as well, but given my price range and research (however limited), I am looking at a set from Sightron. The SIIWP842 binoculars seem to fit my needs quite nicely, and the lifetime warranty is a nice perk.

t-star said:
... and get that "window mount" as well - that thing really works well
Click to expand...

Could you please explain? Is this an actual product or am I missing a joke :confused: If you have a link, that would be great; and thank you for the suggestion.
 
it's an actual product- it's basically like a tripod head that clamps on the window and steadies the camera/binoc so you can see from INSIDE the vehicle by just lowering the window a few inches, rather than having to get out and expose yourself to the elements- it's a bushnell product, so it may or may not fit your set- btw for those of you who don't know, carl zeiss is now lieca-
 
Just a really CHEAP alternative, suggestion

... It's a bit of a "Crap Shoot", but it's worth it, and take a look, in your Local Salvation Army/Thrift Store. For a couple of Bucks ( Literally! ) you just might be able to pick up, a pair or two, of Binoculars that will serve your purpose. ... Perhaps even another pair of Bushnell's ! ..... I've a pair of $5.00, 8x35 Glasses that I keep under the truck seat. No fancy coatings, but they still work just fine, and if stolen or dropped, no big deal. ...... David K ;)
 
terry_g said:
A friend showed me his new Minox binoculars a while back.
He is the kind of guy that puts a lot of research into everything he buys.
They are apparently very good value for the price.
Very clear optics and appear well made.
Only available as far as I know at Cabelas.
Here is the link:

http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&&section=1195&section2=1368&section3=2015&ID=22901
Click to expand...

doug at cameraland is also a minox dealer and might make a better deal- i've used what used to be called a 'regina minox " film camera for years and always had superb picture qualty off them, but their lenses were unique threading
 
t-star said:
doug at cameraland is also a minox dealer and might make a better deal- i've used what used to be called a 'regina minox " film camera for years and always had superb picture qualty off them, but their lenses were unique threading
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Wow, Cameraland has the 8x42 Minox binos on sale for $139 from $280! The only thing is that they are American and by the time I pay all the shipping and international bullsh*t, I will probably be near the original price.

I'll have to do a bit of reasearch to check out Minox quality as well, but if they are as good as you have stated; they should be worth checking out.
 
Vortex makes really nice binoculars, and in a wide variety of price ranges. I'd take a very close look at Vortex. i'll be buying a set once my current ones #### the bed.

i have a pair of 10x42 Bushnell H20. fully waterproof and rubber armoured. they've held up very well. about $200 was the price a few years ago
 
I looked at the Diamondback 10X42 alongside the cheaper Crossfire 10X42 outside of WSS in Lethbridge, I couldn't see a difference between the too. YMMV.
 
MikeyT said:
I think 8x42 is the perfect setup for hunting. Any bigger than 42mm and the binoculars become too bulky to carry comfortably all day; any more powerful than 8x magnification can lead to jerky images and eye strain if you're using them free-hand. If you mostly hunt from a truck or tree-stand YMMV and the extra light gathering of a 50mm lens may be worth the bulk and the opportunity to rest the binoculars during use can make up for the movement-sensitivity of an increased magnification.
Click to expand...

X2, this is exactly what I was about to say.
 
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