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Post by hp on Nov 25, 2006 21:27:56 GMT -5
I'm in the market for some new Binos, I've always used the cheaper 8X25 small type binos,I want some 12X50 lookin at the Bushnell Buckhorns they are getting some excellent reviews any thoughts?
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Post by danf on Nov 25, 2006 21:58:21 GMT -5
I'd try out as many as I could before buying. Personally I've got my heart set on a Nikon set. I don't have much money to spend (very little in fact), but I'm sure I'd love to have a Ziess or Swarvski, etc that cost a couple grand!
Someone else will probably know specifics, but for optimum performance, you need to divide the magnification (first number in YY x YY) into the recticle diameter (second number) and IIRC, that number should be between 4.2 and 5.7(?). I don't remember what that is called, or what the specific numbers are, but it's somewhere in that range. I know the 12x50's are lower than those specific numbers and probably won't be as comfortable for your eyes as 10x50's. That's why 10x50's are so popular.
I bought a small pair of 8x25's earlier this year, tried to use them once and decided they will become toys for my kids. Since then, I've been carrying my 10x50's; they are much clearer. My 10x50's are Barska's and I bought them cheap many years ago from Sportsmans Guide. I don't particularly care for them as the one eyepiece must be continually re-adjusted, but they are MUCH better than nothing at all.
Try all that you can before you buy, even if it's just inside the store.
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Post by mullis56 on Nov 25, 2006 22:04:31 GMT -5
I have Leupold 10x50 camo, Olympic I believe? I love them they work in the woods, the thick stuff and in the open country. I use a Crooked Horn camo bino system and it is a must. Keeps them out of the way while bow hunting, and the BIGGEST point is that you don't even know that your wearing them. Having gone caribou hunting 2 times I used them a lot and my arms knew I was using them but my neck didn't know. They sit tight to your chest and they are the best!!
Take DANF's advice and try before you buy. If you want Leupold go to Plainfield Shooting Supplies on Washington St/US 40 and deal with Bob he is the owner and a nice guy. Tell him Mullis sent you and you'll save over Cabela's and BPS pricing. I think he deals in Nikon too!
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Post by hunter480 on Nov 25, 2006 22:12:51 GMT -5
I bought a pair of medium priced binoculars-the Nikon 8X25 waterproof model-and they work very well for what I use them/need them for. Think I paid about $250.00 for them.
I bought them at Galyans in Plainfield before they dumped us all, and the biggest thing I could tell you is, try them all in the store. I was amazed at the difference in the clarity of the view between different optics in the very same price range. For me, the Nikon`s we head and shoulders above everything else I looked at.
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Post by danf on Nov 25, 2006 22:17:51 GMT -5
I actually tried three or so different pairs at Walmart. The Nikons were the most expensive at ~$105. I liked them a LOT more than the Luepolds or the Bushnells I was able to try.
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Post by cambygsp on Nov 26, 2006 3:00:25 GMT -5
I don't use em
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Post by Woody Williams on Nov 26, 2006 8:10:05 GMT -5
I use them in gun season. I like to check out an incoming buck to see if he is a shooter or not before he get in the position I want him.
I've got a cheap pair of 7 to 15 X 25 Bushnells.
They work fine around here. If I was hunting out west and glassing long distance I'd buy something better.
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 26, 2006 13:31:27 GMT -5
I use a small pair of Nikons. I think they are the realtree roadtrip variety. For the $30 I paid they are an outstanding value!
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Post by indianagooseman on Nov 26, 2006 14:14:01 GMT -5
Never leave home without my Nikons.
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Post by shinglemonkey on Nov 26, 2006 14:40:34 GMT -5
10 X 42 EL sworski(cant remember how to spell it)
Works well in the dark when your have deer walking past your stand and you wonder what they are.
They are pricey (1800.00)but its something that you should only have to buy once...and if lost they are covered by your homeownes insurance.
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Post by smokepole72 on Nov 26, 2006 16:28:52 GMT -5
the places I hunt they are not that important the terrain is very hilly and thick. But I do carry a pair with me just in case. I have a pair I bought from Bass Pro they are Redhead Epic nice for the money I think I got them for around a $125 or so.
Anyone paying A $1000 for a pair of bino's has way too much money or just likes having those bragging rights. I bet i can see anything they can with my $125 pair
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Post by steiny on Nov 26, 2006 16:54:00 GMT -5
Get something in 10x42 or 8x40. I think 12X is too powerful for all around binos. 8X Would be better if you primarily bow hunt. I have the Swarovski's and love them, but they are pricey at around $1300. However they do have a lifetime guarantee. If anything goes wrong, you send them in and they fix them or give you a new pair.
Every now and then you can catch Zeiss 8x40's on sale for about $800 which would be real hard to beat. On the mid priced end, Steiner and Nikon make pretty good stuff, I would stay away from the cheap stuff.
Buy a good pair and you'll have them for life.
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Post by shinglemonkey on Nov 26, 2006 19:20:25 GMT -5
the places I hunt they are not that important the terrain is very hilly and thick. But I do carry a pair with me just in case. I have a pair I bought from Bass Pro they are Redhead Epic nice for the money I think I got them for around a $125 or so. Anyone paying A $1000 for a pair of bino's has way too much money or just likes having those bragging rights. I bet i can see anything they can with my $125 pair If you would spend any amout of time looking thru glass you wouldnt make such remarks. The quality at low light situations and the fact that I dont get "scope strain" from the sworskis make them worth while. Most of the people that I have know out west have 800.00 and up glass, and I can attest its not because they have to much money or need the bragging rights. |
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Post by smokepole72 on Nov 26, 2006 19:29:05 GMT -5
the places I hunt they are not that important the terrain is very hilly and thick. But I do carry a pair with me just in case. I have a pair I bought from Bass Pro they are Redhead Epic nice for the money I think I got them for around a $125 or so. Anyone paying A $1000 for a pair of bino's has way too much money or just likes having those bragging rights. I bet i can see anything they can with my $125 pair If you would spend any amout of time looking thru glass you wouldnt make such remarks. The quality at low light situations and the fact that I dont get "scope strain" from the sworskis make them worth while. Most of the people that I have know out west have 800.00 and up glass, and I can attest its not because they have to much money or need the bragging rights. I was only giving the guy another option other than re-finacing his home for a pair of bino's. Your right if i used a pair almost every day i could justify buying a more high quality pair |
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Post by racktracker on Nov 26, 2006 19:32:42 GMT -5
I use them in gun season. I like to check out an incoming buck to see if he is a shooter or not before he get in the position I want him. I've got a cheap pair of 7 to 15 X 25 Bushnells. They work fine around here. If I was hunting out west and glassing long distance I'd buy something better. Ditto. Out west you are looking at a considerable more distance. |
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Post by mullis56 on Nov 26, 2006 19:40:34 GMT -5
I agree with monkey. If your going to buy them once get the best and stop  ing around on $150-$400 at a time and you'll never regret it. I have a pair of Leupold's that I spent $400 on and I'm ready to step up after using someone else's Zeiss on the trip to Newfoundland, there is a difference. I'll be buying some Swarovski's later this year! |
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Post by woodmaster on Nov 26, 2006 19:40:53 GMT -5
I feal naked without them! Nikon Monarchs 8x42
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Post by parrothead on Nov 27, 2006 7:31:20 GMT -5
I bought a cheap pair at Wal-Mart Bushnell Powerview I believe. Pieces of stink. This is my 4th pair in 3 months. I go through and get them all set up and I see double through them. I have had others try them to. When I get time I will return them and spend the money on a good pair.
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Post by swilk on Nov 27, 2006 14:28:41 GMT -5
Quality glass is one of those things ..... most guys think "there cant be that much difference".
Use a quality pair of binocs or scope and you will definitely see there is a difference ... a huge difference.
Buy the best you can afford.
Research, research and then research some more. 8x42 is about the best overall compromising size for general hunting. It is high enough power to pick out detail and low enough power to be able to use without a tripod. They offer enough light transmission without being overly bulky.
Glass goes in tiers.
Tier 1: Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss are widely considered the best of the best.
Tier 2: Busnell Elites, Pentax DCF SP, Vortex Razors, Kahles, and several other $400-1000 are a close second and offer GREAT performance for the money. They arent as good as the top tier but they do 98% of everything the more expensive glass does at 1/2 the price.
Tier 3: Bushnell Legends, Nikon Monarch, Pentax HR's and once again several other $200-400 are a more distant 3rd and offer really good performance for the money. They arent quite as clear, you start to notice fuzzy edges and other subtle differences. They do 90% of what the most expensive glass does at 1/5 the cost. If you can live with their shortcomings they make an excellent choice.
Tier 4: These are the Wal-Mart specials. There are some decent choices available and many guys will swear their $39 Tascos will stand side by side with anything out there.
I eventually fell into the tier 2 range. I originally bought and used the Wal-Mart specials ... and went through a pair almost every year. Then I stepped up to the tier 3 with a pair of Bushnell Legends 8x42. Huge improvement over what I had been using. I took them to Colorado one time on an Elk hunting trip and decided as good as they were they just werent good enough. 3 Years ago I upgraded to tier 2 with a pair of Pentax DCF SP's 8x43. Excellent glass and a noticeable improvement over the Legends.
I have had 2 warranty repairs with the Pentax and each time I got them fixed and returned to me in a short amount of time.
Eventually I will upgrade to tier 1. I am willing to spend the money for 2 reasons. First, if I put aside a few $$ a week for a year or so I can afford it. And second, I understand they are worth the money.
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Post by parrothead on Nov 27, 2006 14:38:12 GMT -5
Doesnt Nikon have the No Fault Replacement too?
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