That deserves Swaro or Zeiss. Get them, give them and don't tell her how much they cost.
Best binoculars for under $1000
- Thread starter Perraba
- Start date
Lkwebb
Gold $$ Contributor
Here's a newcomer In optics made with German glass.
Kookie
Silver $$ Contributor
Nikon Monarch HG are outstanding binoculars for birding. The Nikon Monarch M7 are also very good if you do not want to spend as much. Your wife would be happy with either of these options.
Take a look at www.birdforum.net to see what the hardcore bird watchers are using.
Take a look at www.birdforum.net to see what the hardcore bird watchers are using.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I guess my 10x40 Swarovski weren't worth $500.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
Every day all day Butch. That price is a steal.
A couple years ago, I compared every 10x40 binocular in that price range that I could look through. I found the differences very subtle, and picking the “best” was more a matter of personal preference. My top 3 were Nikon Monarch HG, Zeiss Conquest, and Meopta. I went with the Nikons because I found the best price.
That said, I have a pair of Maven B3 8x30s that I use for bird watching. When my wife started looking at birds (we aren’t really “birders”), I had to buy her a pair because she kept borrowing mine. If I were buying a full size bird watching binocular right now, I’d look pretty hard at the maven B1 8x42 or B2 9x45
That said, I have a pair of Maven B3 8x30s that I use for bird watching. When my wife started looking at birds (we aren’t really “birders”), I had to buy her a pair because she kept borrowing mine. If I were buying a full size bird watching binocular right now, I’d look pretty hard at the maven B1 8x42 or B2 9x45
Don't get a 10x (or heaven forbid more powerful) if you're going to hand-hold the binocular. If you want higher mag, then get Image Stabilized as one poster already mentioned. Canon or Fujinon. Or, get a tripod.
Hand-held, get 7x or 8x. Higher mag means more image tremble. Do you want porro prism (dog-leg design) or roof prism (parallel cylinders, and much easier to make waterproof)?
The best bino is subjective, but I would get the Vortex Razor HD in 8x42. As good as anything there is, but at an excellent price (relatively speaking). Vortex is a superb company, run by people who started in birding (truly), and their customer service is unsurpassed in any industry in my experience.
Meets your budget too: https://www.optics4birding.com/vortex-razor-hd-8x42-binocular.html
Hand-held, get 7x or 8x. Higher mag means more image tremble. Do you want porro prism (dog-leg design) or roof prism (parallel cylinders, and much easier to make waterproof)?
The best bino is subjective, but I would get the Vortex Razor HD in 8x42. As good as anything there is, but at an excellent price (relatively speaking). Vortex is a superb company, run by people who started in birding (truly), and their customer service is unsurpassed in any industry in my experience.
Meets your budget too: https://www.optics4birding.com/vortex-razor-hd-8x42-binocular.html
My wife's favorite pair of birding binoculars is Nikon Monarch 7. They are light and have excellent glass. Light binoculars are important to her. I use Swarovski, and must admit that the Nikon compares favorably, and the price is reasonable.
Read some of the birding websites.
Read some of the birding websites.
A few years back, I went with a pair of Nikon Monarch HG's. I was at a store that carried them and asked them to grab multiple pairs of other higher end binos (in the $2,500 to $3,300 dollar range) and I spent about an hour outside of the store with all of them. To my eyes, the Nikon Monarch HG's did not give up much (if anything) to the other high end Binoculars. I have been extremely happy with my decision to purchase them. 
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
Bingo. 15 years ago I went on a search for a pair of quality glass for my wife. Ended up with a pair of Minolta HD binos. They are good with respect to color, edge to edge sharpness and resolving power. They were rated well by most of the birding sites back then. If I were to do it again now that we've been together for over 40 years I'd go straight to Swaro, Zeiss or Leica. More useful than a diamond or some other anniversary jewelry and they look as good on you as they do on her.
https://www.sportsmans.com/hunting-...campaign=6-1-23+New+Vortex+Triumph+Binoculars
New Budget friendly 10x42 binoculars from Vortex this summer.
New Budget friendly 10x42 binoculars from Vortex this summer.
When I was shopping for high-end binocs I went to a store that, at that time, carried the ones I was interested in (Swaro, Nikon, Zeiss). I spent hours out in the parking lot looking through the various ones but could still not reach a decision which I liked the best.
Finally I told the salesman that I would take all three, but with the understanding that I would be returning a couple of them or possibly all three. I paid for them with a credit card (in case there was any issue with returning them) I took them home and kept them 3 days and compared them under every condition that I could and while they were all good I ended up with the Swaro. They just seemed to work a bit better for me than the others did but if I had not used them for the 3 days under varying condition I would have never known which worked best for me.
This is something that you might consider doing if you can find a store that carries the one you are interested in, or if not then purchase them individually, with the understanding that they can be returned. It is surpising how little things like ergonomics and focus adjustments make one a bit more user friendly, things that you never notice in a parking lot for 15 minutes using them.
drover
Finally I told the salesman that I would take all three, but with the understanding that I would be returning a couple of them or possibly all three. I paid for them with a credit card (in case there was any issue with returning them) I took them home and kept them 3 days and compared them under every condition that I could and while they were all good I ended up with the Swaro. They just seemed to work a bit better for me than the others did but if I had not used them for the 3 days under varying condition I would have never known which worked best for me.
This is something that you might consider doing if you can find a store that carries the one you are interested in, or if not then purchase them individually, with the understanding that they can be returned. It is surpising how little things like ergonomics and focus adjustments make one a bit more user friendly, things that you never notice in a parking lot for 15 minutes using them.
drover
Last edited:
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
I bought a pair of Swaros from a friend when that model was discontinued and a new model came out. I gave $1,000. Side by side the model that replaced them, there is very little difference. Quality glass doesn't go out of style.
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