Thread: binos 10x42

I spent quite a bit of time at last years Sika show looking at various bino's from bottom end to top end in terms of name and pricing.
While my review was only subjective, and based on what I would see in the distance from the vendor stands [so low light comparisons were not possible, but clarity, brightness, colour fringing etc all were], I came to the following conclusions:

1. there is some silly money to be spent out there!
2. some of the high end models were actual some of the worst optically, particularly with colour fringing
3. excluding the very bottom end junk, the mid range binos are actually very good
4. ergonomics of the different brand/models can make a world of difference to your viewing comfort during long glassing sessions. What fits someone else, may not fit you. Test the binos for fit before you hand over your money.
5. after looking at everything on offer at the Sika show, I would have laid my money on the Leupold counter. Bang for buck, you could easy buy 2-3 pairs of Leupold's for the price of the top end offerings and lost nothing optically [...... now patiently waiting for the barrage of flaming comments from high end bino owners who have spent big money on their glass ....... ]

The leupold warrant is as good as anyone's out there in the market.

Just to add qualification to my comments while grabbing the fire extinguisher, I own binos from Leica, Nikon, Canon and Vortex. I really look after my gear, so things get used, but not abused. I have never had to return a scope or a bino for repair in my 35 years of hunting.