Need some Binocular advice

BlkWgn

BlkWgn

Adventurist
Senior Staff
Founding Member
Ok, I have been wanting a better pair of binoculars for a long time. I currently keep a pair of Barska 8x21 binoculars seen here on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barska-Luci...390580531510?pt=Binocular&hash=item5af069f136

I dont think I even paid that much for them.

Well, I got my REI dividend of $136, I have a $50 gift card, and a 20% off one item coupon. I figure that gives me about a $200 price range.

This link should show you all of the binoculars that they have. Right now the top 4 I am looking at are

[h=1]Leupold BX-2 Acadia 10x32mm $200 http://www.rei.com/product/869073/leupold-bx-2-acadia-10x32mm-waterproof-binoculars#specsTab[/h]
Great reputation, waterproof, close minimum focus of 5', lightweight



Nikon ProStaff 7 Series ATB 10 x 42 Binoculars $209 http://www.rei.com/product/825463/nikon-prostaff-7-series-atb-10-x-42-binoculars#specsTab
another big name, waterproof, larger objective lens for more light



Alpen Wings 10 x 42 Binoculars $199.95 http://www.rei.com/product/857651/alpen-wings-10-x-42-binoculars#specsTab

Never heard of the company, but it seems to have good reviews. also waterproof and larger objective lens



[h=1]REI XR 10 x 50 Waterproof Binoculars $199.95 http://www.rei.com/product/759473/rei-xr-10-x-50-waterproof-binoculars#specsTab[/h]
REI brand built by another company (sometimes good, sometimes not so good) bigger objective, largest and heaviest of the group




I just want something to keep in the truck to look at wildlife found on the trail, spot landmarks and trails for navigation, and keep an eye out for annoy-a-trons in camp

any advice, are any of these the right choice, will I be happy with a less expensive model, do I need to save up some and go fancier?






 
No Advice? There has to be an binocular guru around here somewhere
 
German glass is the best, Japanese second, don't buy anything made in china. Swarovski is nearly the best, but expensive. Zeiss, Steiner, Leopold then Nikon. If you can go to your local flea market and look for some old surplus ones I have a couple dated in the 1940's which are American made with German glass that I paid $20 each for. When buying new binoculars think of it as buying a new camera. You get what you pay for. Always check the tags and labels to see where something is made. I have maybe 8 sets of binoculars. The last ones I bought were Nikon ' Action' 8x40-8 2* in realtree camo from Japan I picked up at the flea market for less than half of their new price. No case but I use an old Tasco (crap) soft case. Whatever you do do not buy Tasco or bushnell. Most REI brand ones are made in china or Taiwan = crap
 
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I ended up getting the Nikon, pretty happy with them so far. I will try and post more details tomorrow
 
There is an old saying among hunter's that goes something like, buy the best binos you can afford. With that in mind, I have carried Gold Ring Leupold's for years. Great service and life time warranty. I have two pairs and both have been returned for abuse repairs at least once and both times they have taken great care of the binos and me. For optics I don't think you can go wrong with Leupold's.
 
I have steiners I've been using for a few years very happy with them. Very durable too. Another to consider are the vortex optics. Great glass great company and excellent customer service and warranty. I have a 6-24x50 FFP rifle scope of theirs on my big game rifle and it's the best glass I've ever used aside from Swarovski.


Brett C.
IronworksTactical.com - owner
 
I have a nice pair of Swift 7X50 that I used for Officer of the Deck watch while in the US Navy. Much lighter than USN binocs! wonderful quality, not very expensive in the ships store about 20 yrs ago. I don't even know if Swift is still in production...
 
I've had a pair of the Leupold Yosemite 8x30s for about 5 years. They are not the most compact binos but they are rock solid and you can't beat the quality for the price.
 
Of course if money is no object. One word. Swarovski.


Brett C.
IronworksTactical.com - owner
 
WOW! looking at todays swift optics...$$$

I'm sure I paid less than $200 for my 7x50's about 25 yrs ago. I used them for under way OOD in the Persian gulf, they now live under the back seat of my truck and still work perfectly!
 
I purchased Vortex Optics Diamondback 10x42, for a little over $200 they are an amazing set of glass! Not quite Swarovski level, but pretty close in clarity. I've been extremely happy with them for the last couple years.
 
I still have not gotten around to writing my review, but so far I am very happy with the Nikons I picked up. They are full size, but not big and bulky, really fit nice in the hand. Image is clear and sharp, plenty bright. They may not be the best around, but for the price and what I wanted them for they are pretty nice
 
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