Binocular opinions needed..what to buy

chola

chola

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
334   0   0
Location
Cranbrook BC
I need some advice on binoculars....am mainly glassing cutblocks and open fields....would like to get a set that work nice in low light conditions.....8x42 or 10x42...too many choices out there......I have a budget of around $500,so leaves the Swarovskis out:redface:

was thinking of Nikon,Pentax or the Leupold Wind River line up...

Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated..good and bad;)
 
I recently purchased a pair of Zeiss Conquest glasses in 12x45 also available in 8x30 and 10x30.They might be a bit over the $500 range but worth every penny.Incredibly clear and bright.
I looked at basically all glasses in the $500-$1000 range and found these to be the best for me.
Regards
Peter
 
The Bushnell Legacy 8 X 42 is a good binocular for the money. Waterprood, phase coated, Rainguard coated, fully multi coated, around $400.
 
I have a pair of Minolta 8 x 40 rubber armoured babies that I bought in Hong Kong for $ 100 about 20 years ago. Super clear for glassing fields for groundhogs. Very comfortable to hold for long periods of time and easy on my eyes. Rubber fold down eyecups are getting stiff over the years, but great for leaning against my lower eye sockets.

Then I tried a pair of 10 x 40's Bushnell Trophy rubber armoured with the SCREW down eye cups. They take some getting used to. I can glass for hours with these, but the screw down eye pieces are annoying since I have to give them a twist before glassing for a potential groundhog. I bought these for around $ 200 with taxes at LeMoron's in Mississauga. I like the glass and their size.

For $ 500 you are going to find some super glass. Try as many pairs as you can and see what works for your carrying needs. After all, you are going to spend lots of time with them around your neck. They will become part of you.

Enjoy the shopping process.

Cheers,

Barney
 
Steeleco said:
Nikon Monarch 10x42, have a look at Binoculars Canada. Excellent service great products.
Click to expand...

That's where I was.....looks like the Monarchs are getting vote thus far....how do you like 10 power Dave.....are they bright in lower light conditions...dawn til dusk ?
 
Chola,
I had the same dilema about 3 years ago. I really looked around and checked out what was on the market. I almost purchased Nikon Monarch 10X42. But I a had a friend who had a pair of binos for sale, so I held off on that purchase.

He had Tasco EXP ( made in Japan, NOT current Chinese or Korean made)
10X42 with the rubber armor coating, multi coat glass. These are no longer made in Japan unfortuneately, but if you can find these Japanese made EXPs, snap it up!

If I had not bought this particular EXP set, I would have purchased the Nikon Monarch 10 X 42 model.

And it does say so on the bottom outer casing where these binos are made. I am unsure if the Korean/Chinese made ones are so marked.
 
Last edited:
I think that your best option in an under $500.00 high quality glass would be to look into one of the Minox BR ASPH binoculars or the Pentax DCF SP line. Both are excellent, high grade glasses.
 
chola said:
That's where I was.....looks like the Monarchs are getting vote thus far....how do you like 10 power Dave.....are they bright in lower light conditions...dawn til dusk ?
Click to expand...

I spent 6 months deciding during the off season, I made the right choice for the money I had to spend. I'd need to spend a ton more to be impressed with anything else. The only dig I have with them is they sometimes fog up in the eyepiece if your warm and they are cold. It clears quick but it's still a bugbear!!
 
Last edited:
i ended up with minox 9.5x 42 from gr8fuldoug. very good service and quick shipping. it takes a while to get used to the individual eye focus but once set you don't need to touch the adjustments. there great. for the $ i'm quite pleased.
 
A note about power - for ages i had a 10 power, but my last purchase was a good pair of 8 power. Personally - i've come to greatly appreciate the value of 8 power over 10 hunting in bc. a personal choice to be sure, but something to think about (not to hijack the thread).
 
Have a look at the Fujinon 8x30 FMTR-SX (Mil Spec)... I see them on the web for $418 US. That should get them to you around $500 Cdn. Excellent optics ... good field of view ... tough and waterproof. They used to make a very good 6x, 30 as well
 
Last edited:
gr8fuldoug said:
I think that your best option in an under $500.00 high quality glass would be to look into one of the Minox BR ASPH binoculars or the Pentax DCF SP line. Both are excellent, high grade glasses.
Click to expand...

I agree with gr8ful...... I really like the Pentax binos - I had a pair of the DCF HR forerunners (DCF WP)....extremely bright and light. In a moment of stupidity I sold them.....still kicking myself. The phase correction makes a big difference IMHO.

Here is product info:


DCF HR II 8x42 Binoculars w/ case

The DCF HR II series features high-performance, phase-coated optics and JIS Class 6 waterproof construction - perfect for heavy-duty applications such as hunting and bird watching - especially on and around water.

# The DCF HR II models feature a nitrogen-filled waterproof construction (JIS Class 6) with a full-body rubber housing. With its fiber reinforced polycarbonate construction, the DCF HR II series are not only durable, but lightweight as well. These binoculars are equipped with a host of user-friendly features that facilitate handling and viewing comfort: Phase-coated roof-prisms for a brighter, sharper view.
# Inner-focus optical design for dust-proof glass elements.
# Fully multi-coated lenses for increased light transmission.
# Helicoid 4-stop eyepiece ring for comfortable eye relief.
# The DCF HR II binoculars include a click-stop diopter adjuster.

NOTE: The DCF HR II series binoculars replace Pentax's DCF WP line.

Warranty

From the original date of purchase, Pentax Canada Inc. provides a limited Canadian lifetime warranty for most Pentax Binoculars purchased within Canada. This warranty covers the original owner and is not transferable. Routine external cleaning and normal cosmetic and mechanical wear are not covered under the terms of this limited lifetime binocular warranty.

rob
 
Last edited:
reccman said:
I just bought a pair of Steiner Predator 8x30 and really like them.
Click to expand...

I was considering the Bushnell Legend 8x42 but ended up with a pair of Steiner Merlin 8x42. They are great binos for the $500 price range.

Danny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom