I am looking to purchase a new set of binoculars with more power than my current 7x35 Bushnell's.I will be using them for squirrel shooting from moderate to long range shooting.I have settled on Zeiss Conquest. The question is about power. I have read that the 15x45 binoculars need a tripod for stability,too much magnification for hand held). I have looked through an older set of 10 power Zeiss but wanted a bit more. Do the 12x45 Conquest binoculars have the same need of a tripod as the 15 power bino's do? In my location no one sells the high end binoculars so I can look for myself. If anyone has an opinion of a better brand please feel free to advise. This is a substantial purchase and want to make the right choice the first time. Thank you all for your help.
Trying to find the right binocular
- Thread starter dan2116
- Start date
dan2116, I'm no expert but i'm thinking a lot of this is going to depend on your own stability. I'm 50 and still 'fairly' steady and my 10X are about all I would want to try and hold for any length of time. I feel the more your sight picture wobbles/wonders, the easier it will be to suffer from eye fatigue.
I have owned many binoculars and still have zeiss,swarovski and leica. I agree that 10 power is about the limit for a hand held binocular.
You will also get more for your money if you stick to a porro prism type. I would say a good $400 porro prism will be about equal to a $900 roof prism bino. The main trade of is size and weight.
You will also get more for your money if you stick to a porro prism type. I would say a good $400 porro prism will be about equal to a $900 roof prism bino. The main trade of is size and weight.
Thanks very much guys. I found a local sports shop that had the 10x40 Conquest and the salesman happened to have a set of 12x45 of his own there at the store. The 12x45 magnification was absolutely incredible but was a bit twitchy with off hand use and I seemed to feel a bit woozy after looking through them.I do have a problem with motion sickness but will the binoculars cause this or do I have other problems 
I have used and abused a pair of Nikon Superior E 10x42 binos for the last 15 years. They are porro design and 'splashproof' but not waterproof. The resolution is second to none. Really they are the sharpest binos out there. I can put them on a tripod with a adapter and its amazing how clear and crisp they are. If you don't HAVE to have waterproof I can really give you a thumbs up on them. They seem to be as sharp and collumated,sp?) as the day I got them 15,my memory) years ago.
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
Whatever you buy, try them first. Not all binoculars will fit your anatomy the same. Leicas fit me perfectly but I sold an excellent Swarovski binocular only because it didn't fit quite right. You really need to try them.
Being able to hold a binocular steady is one thing if you're walking around for squirrels. The 10x50 Leica is heavy for carrying but that weight also makes it hold steadier. Still, for walkaround I use something smaller and lighter. You say 'moderate to long range,' so you'll be shooting from a truck hood or bench or some sort of rest? In that case your elbows have support and there shouldn't be any problem steadying even 12x or 15x. But 10x has been plenty for about every varmint shooting situation. Good lenses make a huge difference. And with 10x I've never even thought about needing a tripod. Some people say 10x is too hard to keep steady but that's something only you can decide.
Being able to hold a binocular steady is one thing if you're walking around for squirrels. The 10x50 Leica is heavy for carrying but that weight also makes it hold steadier. Still, for walkaround I use something smaller and lighter. You say 'moderate to long range,' so you'll be shooting from a truck hood or bench or some sort of rest? In that case your elbows have support and there shouldn't be any problem steadying even 12x or 15x. But 10x has been plenty for about every varmint shooting situation. Good lenses make a huge difference. And with 10x I've never even thought about needing a tripod. Some people say 10x is too hard to keep steady but that's something only you can decide.
GotRDid
Gold $$ Contributor
Howdy. +1 on the ergonomics of binos. While I was at the NRA Convention in Louisville, KY,2008) I had the pleasure to visit all the booths of the upper end glass companies. I was smitten with the Swarovski 10x42ELs and Leica's offering in the same magnification, but they were simply out of my league price wise. I tried the just released Burris Euro series and found them lacking in comfort. Likewise the Kowa, Steiner, and Zeiss just did not fit my relatively narrow inter-pupillary spacing. I spoke with a person at one of the booths and he recomended a set of IOR-Valdada, but warned that their service history is spotty at best. I then happened upon the Meopta booth and found my answer in the B1 Meostar 10x42. It took me a while to find an affordable set, but located mine at Hunter's Edge in MO. Cabela's sells the same glass in their catalog under their brand, but if you enlarge the image you will see the Meopta logo on the front hinge cap. A bit on the heavy side at 30+ oz but very stable offhand when I grip both edges of the bill of my cap while viewing. Better than Swarovski's SLCs and can be found for half the cost. Just my experiences.
GotRDid
GotRDid
IMO the quality of glass is far more important that the magnification of the binoculars.
I have owned a bunch of different binoculars. However after I purchased a set of Swarovski 8X56's I realized what a good pair of binoculars truly is.
The definiton of the Swaro's is unbelievable.
Too many people try to make a pair of binoculars do double duty as a binocular and a spotting scope. And IMO this is a mistake. If you want high magnification then buy a good spotter. 15X is too much magnification for a set of binoculars.
If you are convinced you need the 15X then be a bit patient and will will find a good set of used ones. A lot of people buy them, and then sell them. Tom.
I have owned a bunch of different binoculars. However after I purchased a set of Swarovski 8X56's I realized what a good pair of binoculars truly is.
The definiton of the Swaro's is unbelievable.
Too many people try to make a pair of binoculars do double duty as a binocular and a spotting scope. And IMO this is a mistake. If you want high magnification then buy a good spotter. 15X is too much magnification for a set of binoculars.
If you are convinced you need the 15X then be a bit patient and will will find a good set of used ones. A lot of people buy them, and then sell them. Tom.
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