Binoculars - What is good these days?

Kelly Timoffee

Kelly Timoffee

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Finally decided it is time for a set of field binoculars after using my 6X range finder to glass tree lines yesterday.

It is almost overwhelming looking at all the options but I have to decide on something.I do like the looks of the Steiner although I have never viewed anything through them.

What I would like in options is:

- As rugged and durable as possible.
- As much magnification as possible.
- Somewhat compact and basic.
- No added features other than good image quality.

I want to be able to drop them in the slough and not have to worry.

Not interested in Bushnell, Vortex, etc...

How say you?
 
You can't go wrong with Steiner. Go on the net and look at factory rebuilds, good bang for the $$$$
You might luck out on ex US Military factory rebuilds. I got a pair of them a few years ago
 
I like my Leupold BX-2 Cascades. They are a 10x42, built really well and are fairly compact.

I picked mine up used NIB, so the price was right.
 
i have a pair of Vortex 10 x 42, by my eye have excellent optics, they are compact, easily fit into most bino pouches and are priced so it wouldn't ruin my whole day if they were damaged or lost
 
I'd recommend Vortex viper HD or razor HD for binos. I have both and they are unbelievably clear and durable. I compared Vortex with Zeiss, leupold, Swarovski, and Steiner when I was buying mine. Swarovski were slightly better, but not $1500 better to me anyways.

One thing I found when shopping for binos was how comfortable they are against your face. The Steiner eye cups rubbed my eyebrow area badly and were very uncomfortable. Vortex eyecups feel much better personally.
 
I would look at Nikon and depending on your budget...pick the line that fits your pocketbook. Monarch series would be one that is excellent value. I plan to write a update to my most recent VERY positive experience with Nikon...but briefly ...I have multiple binoculars (zeiss, leitz, swarovski etc) and recently noticed my preferred hunting binocular a 35++ year old pair of hard use nikon porro's were slightly out of collimation. Despite their age...I couldnt find another binocular that really exceeded the optical quality of these to make it worthwhile to start using another set. (and I already own those swarovski, zeiss, leitz binoculars!) when I called Nikon Canada and asked about having these 1/4century old bins serviced...they said they would be happy to replace them (no charge!) under their new lifetime warranty (which was retroactive apparently) but age would make it tough to service them.....well after some whining on my part..'Travis' on this site volunteered to put me in touch with Nikon Canada senior service folks who said 'send it in...we'll see what we can do'....well within a day of them having them they called to say 'no problem and no charge' we'll call you when they are ready...well I just dropped by to pick them up Friday...and these great optics are like new again! And ZERO charge. Over the years I have purchased many nikon products and frankly I have NEVER been disappointed! If you are looking for top quality AND a terrific ownership experience....imo buy Nikon!

(just to add...as many people know...birders are particularly fanatic about the quality of their optics and generally their sites talk about zeiss, leitz, swarovski etc...seldom do they mention Steiner. But it is interesting how often Nikon comes up as a 'reference standard'...their 'Superior E' series and 'Ell' series are quietly the 'go to' binoculars for many of this particular crowd. If you havent looked at the Nikon line...its a very rewarding exercise...as I have found out!)
 
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Leupold® BX-3 Mojave Pro Guide HD are the ones I just bought for my son. Lifetime warranty and most important is they can be sent to Okatoks AB for servicing should there be a problem. A good friend of mine has a set of gold rings which are excellent. I based my purchase offf of his experience. Gold rings are currently not being manufactured so I went with the Mojave line. Good luck in you purchase.
 
I have Bushnell Elites(Japan model) and a pair of Leica Trinovid Compacts. I'd recommend the Elites for anyone not wanting to spend more than $600. I don't think there is anything even close to these in this price range,

Patrick
 
Pentax has gotten a little better these days. Thier optical quality was always pretty darn decent IMO.
But I have one from three years ago, some small metal bits fell off it, mostly creating a great place for dust to collect and an eye sore.
I notice they have slightly changed thier design, and this is less apt to happen with newer purchases.
 
Like the Steiners for example the 40 or 42 mm objective are fine just not a giant set that are two feet long.

Price wise I am looking at all options and weighing the pros and cons, what I don't want is cheap , flimsy and poor glass. $200.00 glass I don't think is a good idea.

NOT this size: http://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/military/m1580-military-15x80

This size works: http://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/m1050r-10x50

bearkilr said:
You didn't mention how much you want to spend. Also, when you say compact, do you mean the small folding ones or a full size 40-42mm objective?
Click to expand...
 
Without doubt, go for ex-US & Canadian Army Fujinons. They meet your requirements of rugged, the glass is without parallel and you can get a pair for $300US. look for Fuji Fujinon M24 Binoculars 7 X 50 M US Military. As for high magnification - you only need 6 or 7 times - any more and holding them still is difficult and the big objective lenses gather light and make dawn and dusk very clear. Given that the US military can buy anything they like... they go for the Fujinon.
 
I stumbled into a pair of Bushnell Excursions at a blow out sale.
Had a store discount card and made the sale waaaaay to easy.
Just over a brown one.
Decent set of binos with clear glass.
Camo kullored tah bewt.
 
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