Thread: Best binoculars?

Hey guys!

What are the best binoculars to buy!

Thanx 4 advice

You get what you pay for with optics.
My vote goes towards Swarovski, or Leica, but there are lots and lots of options.
Best bet is to look at your budget and go from there.
There are endless online reviews and comparisons, but the best idea is to try and get behind a few to try out.
I have an older set of Swarovski SLC 8x30WB, I have never regretted the initial expense.

Originally Posted by Moutere

You get what you pay for with optics.
My vote goes towards Swarovski, or Leica, but there are lots and lots of options.
Best bet is to look at your budget and go from there.
There are endless online reviews and comparisons, but the best idea is to try and get behind a few to try out.
I have an older set of Swarovski SLC 8x30WB, I have never regretted the initial expense.

I brought the same about 25 years ago and they are still going strong. You will never regret buying quality.

With optics the more you spend the better they are, but a $3000 pair won't be 3x better than a $1000 pair. The main time you will notice the difference is at first and last light. If you are comparing binoculars then don't look at things in bright sunlight, look at things in the shade or deep shadow, that will show the biggest difference.
Keep an eye out on trademe for second hand pairs, you might find a real bargain, this pair here could be an awesome buy Zeiss Dialyt 10 x 40 Binnoculars | Trade Me but I'd probably want to look through them first.
The other place to get a bargain is demo pairs. Camerland New York often has good deals.
At the cheaper end, Bushnell Legend HD are a good pair. Zenrays have good glass, but I'm hearing issues with them starting to break. Vortex is another reasonable brand. I have Minox HG that I got for an absolute bargain.
Your best bet is to look through as many pairs as you can, then save some more money. Optics is one area where you won't regret buying quality first time.

If you want decent Bino's that will last Its not just the quality of the units to consider but the after sales service is equally as important.
I purchased a pair of Leica 10X40 in 1995 and they got used a LOT. In 2014 I started having issues with the focus. They were sent back to Leica in Germany for service and I expected to pay. After all they did looked very knocked around. They were returned (I think 5 weeks later) COMPLETELY refurbished at no cost. They looked sooooo! good that I had to check the serial number to confirm that they were not a new pair.
I heard recently of a guy ( He may be a forum member) who dropped his brand new Geovids off a bluff and destroyed them. They also went back to Leica in Germany and were replaced with a NEW pair. I believe he had to pay the shipping cost though.
What other Bino manufacturer supports their product to that extend?
Bottom line if you can afford Leica's get them. It will be an heirloom purchase that you can leave to your kids.
PS I don't work for either Leica or Lacklands

Originally Posted by BobGibson

If you want decent Bino's that will last Its not just the quality of the units to consider but the after sales service is equally as important.
I purchased a pair of Leica 10X40 in 1995 and they got used a LOT. In 2014 I started having issues with the focus. They were sent back to Leica in Germany for service and I expected to pay. After all they did looked very knocked around. They were returned (I think 5 weeks later) COMPLETELY refurbished at no cost. They looked sooooo! good that I had to check the serial number to confirm that they were not a new pair.
I heard recently of a guy ( He may be a forum member) who dropped his brand new Geovids off a bluff and destroyed them. They also went back to Leica in Germany and were replaced with a NEW pair. I believe he had to pay the shipping cost though.
What other Bino manufacturer supports their product to that extend?
Bottom line if you can afford Leica's get them. It will be an heirloom purchase that you can leave to your kids.
PS I don't work for either Leica or Lacklands

That was me! Leica, you rock!

OK Kiwijames tell us all how you managed to destroy your brand new binos.

Hey Guys, I'm also after some value for money binos that I don't have to care about tooooo much as I'm a bit of a wrecker.

I don't want to get some binos that are crappier than my scope (Burris 3-9x40 Fullfield II) otherwise I 'll end up just using my scope and spend all day holding my rifle up which kinda sux.

Initially I thought some zoom type ones would be the go like these NIKON ACULON A211 10-22X50 BLACK | Trade Me
however I hear that bino's with adjustable zoom can become a bit "racehorse" as in the field of vision becomes quite narrow.

So then I started thinking about zoom etc and have no idea how much grunt you really need (I've never used any binos apart from my mates "toy" ones which I think he nicked off his kids haha) would 10x be enough to work ok up above the bushline?

I would want to buy a brand that I've at least heard of, such as Nikon etc.

So what is the go in the peasant $2-300 range lol? has anyone made a purchase in this price range recently with any success?

Cheers, Chewy.

Probably the nikon monarchs? have pretty good reviews. Get em in from the states

Hi Chewy69a,

Have a look at the Vanguards - they are pretty darned good binos that are well within the price range you have.
The links are in my post from earlier in the thread.


Kumoe

Just bought a pair of vortex razors. Close to $2k local dealer. Compared to my zenrays these are night and day better. Only 27g lighter tho but shorter. Not a massive saving buying overseas and imported. So went local.

I wanna spend about 150 -200$ I 've heard Levenhuk n Celestron are not expensive and not bad. Is it right?

Originally Posted by EllieMar

I wanna spend about 150 -200$ I 've heard Levenhuk n Celestron are not expensive and not bad. Is it right?

No

Originally Posted by EllieMar

I wanna spend about 150 -200$ I 've heard Levenhuk n Celestron are not expensive and not bad. Is it right?

Id look at getting some 10x42 bushnells off Amazon.

Originally Posted by EllieMar

I wanna spend about 150 -200$ I 've heard Levenhuk n Celestron are not expensive and not bad. Is it right?

Unfortunately you wont even come close to the best for that money.