Binoculars - What are you using in the field?

Scott_N

Scott_N

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What are you using for binoculars when out hunting?

I have a few extra dollars and I'm trying to decide if I want to invest them in some good glass. My lower end 7 x 28 porro prisms had their last hunting season last fall. I've been thinking about the Leica Trinovid 8 X 32 from Cameraland. Apparently these guys are good to deal with?

I prefer a 7 or 8 power bino. What do you guys prefer?
 
I use the 8x Bushnell compact cheapy from Walmart. :D
They're small, light and cheap to replace. I just can't justify spending hundreds on binos. For the type of hunting I do, they work just fine.

Nymex covies on.....commence flaming.
 
Right now these:
9f70_1.JPG


Next pair these:
LC40261.jpg
 
I have a pair of Leica Ultravids 10x42, I bought them here, but they came from Doug at NYcameralands demo stuff. They are amazing, and while I didn't buy these directly from Doug I have bought other items and they are great to deal with. I bet you will love those Leicas.
 
I use a pair of 8x56 Zeiss Dialyts. I've basically followed the standard route of first buying a POS, learning the error of my ways and moving to the mid-range, then finally getting something good.
If I didn't have to buy everything in my life three times I'd be a freakin' billionaire by now.;)
 
swarovski 8.5x42EL, they are awesome. i see way more game and can count points much easier (handy when the regs specify 4 point muley and six point elk), than with the el cheapo binocs i used to hunt with.

when i was looking to spend a raise i got at work, the zeiss FL's seemed the brightest, but the swarovski's seemed to have a clearer image. and both the zeiss and the swaros seemed to be more ergonomic than the leicas in my hands.

when i sold off some guns i wasn't using to buy a spotting scope, i bought a leica APO 62 and find that the image is not as clear at high powers as with a swarovski that i looked through. i have a slight twinge of buyers remorse, but i cannot imagine the difference in these two spotters to impact my success (or lack thereof).

so, to me i think that swarovski is better than leica.
 
i use the swarovski 10x42 slc .had them for many years now .no troubles at all.highly recomended.
 
Wind River (Leupold) 10x50. Tasco Titan 7x42. Clear and easy on the eyes, important when you might spend a long time looking through them. Regards, Eagleye.
 
i've got a pair of 8x40 carl wetzlars that have been with me since 75- they're my go-to binocs- on my kit i have a pair of bushnell 10x20 folders for the real quick and dirty stuff
 
I have a pair of 7x bushinell that are half descent. If I don't take those I will usually take a cheep pair of those small fold up bushnells just in case
 
I use a Leupold 8x42 Olympic Roof P. The only pair I really found to be worth the price without going to either Leica or Swaro EL.

On a side note, I can't tell which of the Swaro or Leica is best. Some people claim that the ergonomics on the EL are superior and I can't argue that.... but the glass ?....
 
I compared Swar EL 10*42mm, Swaro EL 8.5*42mm as well as a Leica 10*42mm Ultravid.

Optically
1. Leica Ultravid 10*42mm
2. Swaro EL 8.5 *42mm
3. Swaro EL 10*42mm

I found the Leica 10*42mm to have the best resolution. However, the 8.5 EL was very close in resolution, has a wider field of view and a larger exit pupil.

Ergonomically
1. Swaro EL 10*42mm
2. Swaro EL 8.5*42 MM
3. Leica Ultravid 10*42mm

The Swaro 10*42mm EL was the best. Similar to the 8.5 EL but a little smaller and lighter.

Warranty
1. Swaro
2. Leica

Both companines will warranty their products to the original purchaser. However if at some point you decide to sell the bin's the Leica's are no longer warrantied once they change hands. I think this is complete bs for such a high end product. I also felt that this would negatively influence resale value. With the Swaro it's not an issue. They offer the warranty no questions asked.

At the end of the day I chose the Swaro EL 8.5*42mm and have never regretted the choice.
 
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