Binoculars. Help me buy once, and cry once.
- Thread starter northern skies
- Start date
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm a fan of "less is more" when it comes to binocular.
- Less bulk and weight, means more chance I'll be carrying them around
- 7x is plenty of magnification for scanning, and easier to hold steady for any length of time
The very nicest bino I've had the chance to play with were some Swaro SLC 7x32.
Buying new today,
- Buy once cry once: Leica 7x35 Trinovid
- Being reasonable: Kowa 6.5x32 XD
- Being frugal, but still punch well above it's weight: Kowa 6x30 YF
- Less bulk and weight, means more chance I'll be carrying them around
- 7x is plenty of magnification for scanning, and easier to hold steady for any length of time
The very nicest bino I've had the chance to play with were some Swaro SLC 7x32.
Buying new today,
- Buy once cry once: Leica 7x35 Trinovid
- Being reasonable: Kowa 6.5x32 XD
- Being frugal, but still punch well above it's weight: Kowa 6x30 YF
I've been carrying 8x30 Swaro's for over 20 years now.
I also have an older pair of Leica 10x40's, and comparing them side by side, the 10x don't really show me anything I can't see with the 8x. They do have a narrower field of view, and I find it more difficult to pick up something like a flying bird for instance. They also don't focus as closely, not really an issue for hunting, but it might be if you're also a bird watcher.
8x40's might be brighter with a larger exit pupil, but with 1/2 hr before/after rules we have for hunting here, I'm not convinced it's a major advantage. For me, the light weight and compactness of the 8x30's win out over any advantages the larger/heavier glass might have.
I also have an older pair of Leica 10x40's, and comparing them side by side, the 10x don't really show me anything I can't see with the 8x. They do have a narrower field of view, and I find it more difficult to pick up something like a flying bird for instance. They also don't focus as closely, not really an issue for hunting, but it might be if you're also a bird watcher.
8x40's might be brighter with a larger exit pupil, but with 1/2 hr before/after rules we have for hunting here, I'm not convinced it's a major advantage. For me, the light weight and compactness of the 8x30's win out over any advantages the larger/heavier glass might have.
My zeiss are embarrassingly poor quality, been broken for about 12 months now after only a couple months use, haven't been able to get replacement parts
My Swarovski's are head and shoulders above them, no one has ever said I regret buying my Swarovski binoculars,
If you've never looked Swarovskii glass and your cheap, don't, you'll spend more trying to find something close for cheaper and it'll end up costing you more in the long run, ask me how I know,,
My Swarovski's are head and shoulders above them, no one has ever said I regret buying my Swarovski binoculars,
If you've never looked Swarovskii glass and your cheap, don't, you'll spend more trying to find something close for cheaper and it'll end up costing you more in the long run, ask me how I know,,
I went through this 22 years ago with the exact same final three. I went with the Pentax DCF 8X42 as well, better light transmission at low light over the 10x, but super tough between the 32 or 42. Great glass back then beat out The others in my budget of 800.
As my kids are hunting now I am looking at another binocular too, and thinking 10x now for older eyes.
As my kids are hunting now I am looking at another binocular too, and thinking 10x now for older eyes.
I’ve been using a pair of Swaro EL Range 10x for the last 7 or 8 years, and haven’t looked back. Having a rangefinder build into the binos is brilliant — if you see it, you can range it at the push of a button. The glass quality is, of course, spectacular — but that’s not to say others (often considerably cheaper others) aren’t nearly as good. But so far, they’re the best I’ve ever looked through.
The only thing I would do differently if I could buy them all over again is to go with 8x instead. I hunt hunt all kinds of terrain, but a bit more forest than mountains or open country. For a lot of what I do, the 8x would reduce eye strain a bit and provide a steadier image. But the 10x simply forced me to develop better glassing technique, so there’s really no real desire on my part to change at this point.
The only thing I would do differently if I could buy them all over again is to go with 8x instead. I hunt hunt all kinds of terrain, but a bit more forest than mountains or open country. For a lot of what I do, the 8x would reduce eye strain a bit and provide a steadier image. But the 10x simply forced me to develop better glassing technique, so there’s really no real desire on my part to change at this point.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
For wooded area, the wide angle Kowa BD II XD 6.5x32, would be hard to beat.
- 10 degrees FOV
- can be had for about $500
Been thinking about them... But the wife doesn't think we really need yet another pair of bino's... and I'm trying to be reasonable so...
- 10 degrees FOV
- can be had for about $500
Been thinking about them... But the wife doesn't think we really need yet another pair of bino's... and I'm trying to be reasonable so...
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I use binoculars quite a lot. Open country and bush. My suggestion for one do -all is the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL. I have seven pairs of binoculars. Ranging from 6x32, 7x26, 8.5x42, 10x42 10x50 made by Minox, Steiner, Bausch & Lomb, Swarovski and Pentax. For a while I had a nice pair of Leica 8x32 ultravids too. I have a couple of 10x binocs, but seldom have a need or want for 10x, 8 is easier for me to use for extended periods, and if the glass is good enough more power is not a net advantage in most situations. Of my binoculars, the Swarovski has the best balance of features: usability for long periods without fatigue, low light capability with big enough exit pupil, good eye cups and enough eye relief that can accommodate glasses, hand held steadiness, clarity and ruggedness.
I sometimes like a smaller lighter binocular in the bush or when traveling and not hunting. Usually keep one of my 10x in the truck for gazing way out there while resting on the window ledge. But if limited to one choice, the choice is easy for me.
One other point - before I had laser eye surgery, very good glass was wasted on me. I had so much astigmatism that I couldn't distinguish between middle of the road optics and the really good stuff. If your eyes have some challenges, That's another consideration.
I sometimes like a smaller lighter binocular in the bush or when traveling and not hunting. Usually keep one of my 10x in the truck for gazing way out there while resting on the window ledge. But if limited to one choice, the choice is easy for me.
One other point - before I had laser eye surgery, very good glass was wasted on me. I had so much astigmatism that I couldn't distinguish between middle of the road optics and the really good stuff. If your eyes have some challenges, That's another consideration.
Last edited:
I hunt a wide variety of terrain and range conditions and cover; open plains to thick brush, to the high alpine. And have been doing so for 40 years now.
I also use my binoculars for archery hunting and competition (and I use both compound bows and traditional bows, and compete in recurve classes), for 12 years now.
So as you can well imagine, I use my binoculars constantly from less than 10 yards, out as far as I can see game.
Over 20 years ago, I purchased a set of Swarovski 10x42 SLC's and have been very pleased with their performance over the years. Enough power for the long range glassing, and yet enough power, clarity and light transmission for the up close work when trying to discern small details at close range in the dark timber. Most people are surprised at how effective the 10 power glass is in these instances!
I highly recommend the 10x42 SLC's!
The EL's are nice, but have been more prone to issues with the eyecups. (Used to work in local gun stores, and Swarovski's warranty service is good. Their repair centre is in Rhode island. Seen items returned within 3 months from the repair centre for warranty, or just reconditioning work, with just some minor shipping costs.
I have owned and used other brands and models of binoculars as well over the years; Bushnell, Leica, Minox and Kahles.
Leica is great glass too (the Geovids I owned just did not fit my face and eyes as comfortably as the Swarovskis).
I would also recommend Kahles and the Minox. Their pricing is less than the Swarovskis. Kahles being another high end European optics company that used to be paired with Swarovski. Minox being the less expensive of the two.
I am considering the Kahles RF binos, but will have to import these from Europe as they are not available in North America, but are half the price of the Swarovski EL RF's. They may not have the ranging capability of the EL's, but since I am not a long range shooter/hunter, this is not a factor for me.
Good luck in your search for the right binocular for you!
I also use my binoculars for archery hunting and competition (and I use both compound bows and traditional bows, and compete in recurve classes), for 12 years now.
So as you can well imagine, I use my binoculars constantly from less than 10 yards, out as far as I can see game.
Over 20 years ago, I purchased a set of Swarovski 10x42 SLC's and have been very pleased with their performance over the years. Enough power for the long range glassing, and yet enough power, clarity and light transmission for the up close work when trying to discern small details at close range in the dark timber. Most people are surprised at how effective the 10 power glass is in these instances!
I highly recommend the 10x42 SLC's!
The EL's are nice, but have been more prone to issues with the eyecups. (Used to work in local gun stores, and Swarovski's warranty service is good. Their repair centre is in Rhode island. Seen items returned within 3 months from the repair centre for warranty, or just reconditioning work, with just some minor shipping costs.
I have owned and used other brands and models of binoculars as well over the years; Bushnell, Leica, Minox and Kahles.
Leica is great glass too (the Geovids I owned just did not fit my face and eyes as comfortably as the Swarovskis).
I would also recommend Kahles and the Minox. Their pricing is less than the Swarovskis. Kahles being another high end European optics company that used to be paired with Swarovski. Minox being the less expensive of the two.
I am considering the Kahles RF binos, but will have to import these from Europe as they are not available in North America, but are half the price of the Swarovski EL RF's. They may not have the ranging capability of the EL's, but since I am not a long range shooter/hunter, this is not a factor for me.
Good luck in your search for the right binocular for you!
Last edited:
