Binoculars- tell me about them

[Dos XX]

I have a pair of Valdada's that are really good. I have had them for a number of years. I'm not sure they make this model now, but they are really nice. I think this model was less than $500, but I got a deal on them from a buddy that was a dealer.

Maven is getting a lot of good reviews now days.

 

[bobinpa]

I need to buy 2 binocs for work. Not looking to get the best but dont buy junk. Im looking for one of those super christmas deals on a good brand. Looks like leupold has gotten out of the game and are not serious anymore, burris looks nice and maybe vortex but i dont know much about them. Not looking for chinese toys but looks like theres not much choice anymore

I have no idea what your budget is but Leicas have always served me great and the Maven B series is really good too.

 

[tac284]

Dusty you might give Maven Optics a look. The new B1.2 has been compared against the Swarovski EL’s and the Meopta on many forums with good results. The B1.2 is Japanese components assembled in the US. If that doesn’t work I think you would be very happy with the Meopta.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Only problem with bird watchers, they mostly are looking(identify) at ranges much closer than hunting. Color is important to them. The lowest ratio for the eye I would go with 5.25(8x42) if low light viewing is important. Not sure why the big move away from 7x50, 9-10x can be tough to hold when walking and standing, tripod adapter availability maybe important to you. The gold rings from 30+ years ago were very good,as were the Steiner M/M. My mid 80's pair of Steiners fantastic glass.

 

[Forum Boss]

For modestly priced glass, read what I have written about the Steiner Military Marine.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have a pair of Sigs and everybody that looks through them thinks they should have cost way more than they did. They now have range finding binos. That will be my next purchase.

 

[muleystalker]

You may want to check out the KOWA's too. They have a good selection at different prices. The Vortex Razors are a great set of binos, I have the 12x50 and love them, so much so I sold my Swaros. I have been tempted to try a pair of KOWA's but I like my RAZORS so much I just haven't been able to get myself to pull the trigger, and no I'm not a Vortex fan boy and I don't own one Vortex Rifle scope and have no plans too. But I am a Kowa fan, I have several of their spotters and they are Steller!

 

[TAJ45]

commercial. Picked up a Brunton early 2000s. Super clear. They were highly suggested in a post similar to this. Super clear.
Unsupported, anything over 8x is a booger for me to hold steady w/o support. Had a pair of 10x Leicas and couldn't move them out fast enough.

 

[Gary in MD]

Meopta or Tract
Hard to beat unless you are going to spend twice the money.
Gary

 

[Gary C]

I have Vortex 10x42 not sure which ones. About $4-500
But that being said I had looked through many and made the decision that HD glass
is a must have.

G

 

[Gary C]

I have Vortex Viper.
Worth the extra $ for HD glass

 

[JEFFPPC]

Maybe many should go back and read the original question.....and comprehend. Good idea by Dave Berg.

 

[okie]

I wish i could find some nice golden ring leupolds they used to make

I have to get me a new pair---my boys got off with my gold rings (dad is too nice)...I think im gonna try leica

 

[SWOPTICS]

Almost impossible to answer without knowing your price range, but I have to say I have always done well with Steiners over about 30 years of use. n.b., I don't sell them .

 

[JEFFPPC]

Ha! Ha! Yes! I did link an article with price ranges/rankings broken down and it includes a $300 class.

I was referring to the Leica reference.

 

[Hntndad]

I wish i could find some nice golden ring leupolds they used to make

Pm sent

 

[ronsatspokane]

I need to buy 2 binocs for work. Not looking to get the best but dont buy junk. Im looking for one of those super christmas deals on a good brand. Looks like leupold has gotten out of the game and are not serious anymore, burris looks nice and maybe vortex but i dont know much about them. Not looking for chinese toys but looks like theres not much choice anymore

So that's a pretty broad request. First things first. There are essentially two types of bino's, Poro and roof prism. Each has advantages and disadvantages. This site covers the design and issues better than we could here: https://opticsmag.com/porro-prism-vs-roof-prism-binoculars/

Next up, what are you going to use them for? Hand held or mounted? Stable ground or unstable ground (like a marine environment)? Long distance with high resolution or shorter range? The old standard was 7x50 for hand held applications. Still the case in a marine environment. Lately people have been going for higher power and smaller objective diameters. Like 10 or 12 power x 30 or 40 objective diameter. People think more power is the ticket, I see them bracing their bino's against something solid so they can actually see the image. If you need high power then look at image stabilized like Canon or something that mounts on a tripod.

Next up, glass quality and build quality. The higher you go the more you pay. Generally speaking you should stop looking at better quality when your wallet is empty.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So that's a pretty broad request. First things first. There are essentially two types of bino's, Poro and roof prism. Each has advantages and disadvantages. This site covers the design and issues better than we could here: https://opticsmag.com/porro-prism-vs-roof-prism-binoculars/

Next up, what are you going to use them for? Hand held or mounted? Stable ground or unstable ground (like a marine environment)? Long distance with high resolution or shorter range? The old standard was 7x50 for hand held applications. Still the case in a marine environment. Lately people have been going for higher power and smaller objective diameters. Like 10 or 12 power x 30 or 40 objective diameter. People think more power is the ticket, I see them bracing their bino's against something solid so they can actually see the image. If you need high power then look at image stabilized like Canon or something that mounts on a tripod.

Next up, glass quality and build quality. The higher you go the more you pay. Generally speaking you should stop looking at better quality when your wallet is empty.

They will be used for looking at equipment mounted on power poles and transmission lines. They will spend 99.9% of their lives in a case in a tool bin on a truck. Im just about settled on steiner military/marine. Since i need good but dont need fabulous the $500 price range is where im at especially since they may not be used but once a year

 

[nakneker]

Meopta is a great value. They aren’t swarovski but I can use them all day and have zero eye fatigue. I use to buy them direct from a Germany from EBay, they arrived fast. I’ve had a few pairs of them, mostly for my kids when they were growing up. IMO they are a hard value to beat for quality glass.

 

[senderoll]

Take a look at Steiner Bino’s. Wide range of power and price.