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Bino Upgrade?

ssramage

ssramage

Active Member
Apr 26, 2020
191
192
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Saint Simons Island, GA
Looking for some advice. I currently run a pair of Vortex 8x42 Diamondbacks. I've enjoyed them and don't ever hunt without them. I hunt equally bow and rifle, often hunting powerlines/gas lines, so good glass is important if a long shot presents itself. I had a few times last year with animals too far or times were too dark to clearly see through my binos.

What would you recommend as a decent (noticeable) upgrade in the $400-500 range?
 
MaxJac

MaxJac

Well-Known Member
Mar 13, 2019
471
446
63
Sandhills, NC
I got the 10x50 Vortex Diamondback and absolutely love them. I have them with me 99% of the time, unless I walk away from the car and forgot to put them on... lol.

I also lost a pair of regular Bushnell because water got into them and I couldn't fix them. So, with that said, I like a good deal on the Vortex, got them while they were on sale and cashed in some Xmas gift cards, but would not be too upset if the same happens to them. Got the best for the budget I had for binos and am happy with them.
 
TNbowhunter

TNbowhunter

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
1,030
1,788
113
Middle Tennessee
Sounds like you might be better served by a spotting scope. For bow hunts, there’s little need (if any) to clearly see something in detail that’s 300+ yards away, and if you’re rifle hunting, bringing along even a decent spotting scope and tripod would be money.
 
MaxJac

MaxJac

Well-Known Member
Mar 13, 2019
471
446
63
Sandhills, NC
TNbowhunter said:
Sounds like you might be better served by a spotting scope. For bow hunts, there’s little need (if any) to clearly see something in detail that’s 300+ yards away, and if you’re rifle hunting, bringing along even a decent spotting scope and tripod would be money.
Click to expand...
true, but then I do love to just look around with the binoculars and getting a kick out of watching things going on far away. In the off season, it is in my regular car, just in case there is some deer far out there, a bald eagle at the lake or other stuff... You're right, for bow hunting, there is no need.
 
OspreyZB

OspreyZB

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Feb 11, 2019
599
1,607
93
28
New Jersey
Leupold bx-4's. They'll be a HUGE upgrade over your Diamondbacks. To me, the bx-4's are noticeably sharper than any binocular vortex makes (excluding their new $2000 UHD's which I haven't looked through yet). Pretty much everything else I've looked through in the sub $500 range just seemed marginally better than something like the diamonbacks. The bx-4s are as good as most $1000 binos.

Another good option is the Maven c1. You see nothing but good reviews for them and no doubt they're great glass for the price. But they just can't compete with the bx-4s in low light. Also the c1's just felt cheap to me. The bx-4s are made in Japan by one of the most highly renowned optics manufacturers in the world. The c1's are "Japanese components assembled in the Philippines" and that is apparent in the build quality.
 
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steve-0h

steve-0h

Active Member
May 6, 2020
136
105
43
42
OspreyZB said:
Leupold bx-4's. They'll be a HUGE upgrade over your Diamondbacks. To me, the bx-4's are noticeably sharper than any binocular vortex makes (excluding their new $2000 UHD's which I haven't looked through yet). Pretty much everything else I've looked through in the sub $500 range just seemed marginally better than something like the diamonbacks. The bx-4s are as good as most $1000 binos.

Another good option is the Maven c1. You see nothing but good reviews for them and no doubt they're great glass for the price. But they just can't compete with the bx-4s in low light. Also the c1's just felt cheap to me. The bx-4s are made in Japan by one of the most highly renowned optics manufacturers in the world. The c1's are "Japanese components assembled in the Philippines" and that is apparent in the build quality.
Click to expand...

Nice screen name... You involved with the Bell Osprey at all?
 
TNbowhunter

TNbowhunter

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Mar 12, 2019
1,030
1,788
113
Middle Tennessee
OspreyZB said:
Leupold bx-4's. They'll be a HUGE upgrade over your Diamondbacks. To me, the bx-4's are noticeably sharper than any binocular vortex makes (excluding their new $2000 UHD's which I haven't looked through yet). Pretty much everything else I've looked through in the sub $500 range just seemed marginally better than something like the diamonbacks. The bx-4s are as good as most $1000 binos.

Another good option is the Maven c1. You see nothing but good reviews for them and no doubt they're great glass for the price. But they just can't compete with the bx-4s in low light. Also the c1's just felt cheap to me. The bx-4s are made in Japan by one of the most highly renowned optics manufacturers in the world. The c1's are "Japanese components assembled in the Philippines" and that is apparent in the build quality.
Click to expand...
Seconding Leupold over Vortex. I have the BX-2’s in 10x42, and they meet all my needs for bow hunting and rifle hunting. Noticeably clearer and brighter than my dad’s Vortex binos, but definitely heavier. Don’t know if that’s a big enough difference to justify another purchase since you already have the Vortex binos, but can’t recommend Leupold enough.
 
J

Jajtner01

Member
Apr 2, 2014
91
34
18
San Diego, CA
LOCATION
San Diego, CA
I tried something new for the summer. I just mainly CA and it's open hill sides and mountains, so almost all S&S hunting. I got a $40 pair of Celestron 7X50s after reading a book by Dwight Schuh, "Hunting Open Country Mule Deer". He talks about exit pupil and light transmission. I've found that I'm good out to about 700 yards 45min - an hour before Sunrise and it actually makes it brighter. Basically if you can barely make out the trees in the distance the hill side will look like grey light through the glass. The clarity at that range isn't great on the cheap ones, but I can still find them in the beds/shadows, and you can definitely tell if it's a buck/doe. Unless you're going out past half a mile I think 7's are great especially for low light situations. Also, I've found deer faster because i have a bigger FOV so I catch more movement in the edges. I will say I also have a set of 15's and a 20-60 spotter to get in tight after the sun is up.

Don't know if that helps, but if you're looking for low light, from my experience exit pupil is king.

Example: 8X40 = 5mm EP; 7X50 = 7.15ish EP; 10X40 =4mm EP

Human pupil at max dialation 6-8mm depending on the person. If you are under your max pupil size you're leaving light on the table.
 
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S

swd

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2019
217
144
43
52
Tennessee
Another for the BX4's. I upgraded from a pair of Crossfire 10x42 before last season. It is the difference in night and day. I compared the BX4 to the Swaro EL (I think it was the EL). I could tell a difference, but not enough to justify paying almost double the price.

I did read an article yesterday that indicated that 8x42 binos would be great in low light situations because of SCIENCE. Maybe that would be a consideration??? I am not trading in my 10x42's.
 
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S

Slipnslide

Member
Nov 5, 2018
90
187
33
South Central PA
Don't overlook Maven. They have awesome products at a few price points. I notice a difference between them and Swaro but for east coast whitetails I'd never spend the extra 1k.
 
C

CSholes

New Member
Jan 7, 2020
19
0
1
42
Lots of good glass a very wide price range. Check out Steiner predators.
I am super happy with mine.
I don't take good enough care of my binos to spend much more......
 
Whispers Death

Whispers Death

Well-Known Member
Oct 14, 2014
314
194
43
58
Southeast Missouri
LOCATION
Southeast Missouri
I have Swaro SLC 10 x 42 and Zeiss Terra 8 x 32. I carry the Zeiss most of the time. SLC is like a boat anchor around my neck. Leupold makes my favorite scopes so no doubt their Binos are top notch.
 
ZHunter

ZHunter

Member
Feb 25, 2020
67
67
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24
56501
LOCATION
Minnesota (MN)
Another vote for Leupold. Being I can't afford the top end glass I only got the BX1 Rogue 10x42 which are about $150. It might be in the cheaper price range but you'd think it's top end. It also came with a really nice neoprene strap that you can barely tell is there. I currently have a Leupold scope for my rifle on layaway as well as the cheap one that came on it only 4 years ago wont hold zero. If you want to support an American company I wouldn't look anywhere else.
 
Mellifluous

Mellifluous

New Member
Jun 8, 2020
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Brampton, Ontario
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not cool enough for one =[
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wont laugh motionless?!?
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An owl
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Brampton
ssramage said:
Looking for some advice. I currently run a pair of Vortex 8x42 Diamondbacks. I've enjoyed them and don't ever hunt without them. I hunt equally bow and rifle, often hunting powerlines/gas lines, so good glass is important if a long shot presents itself. I had a few times last year with animals too far or times were too dark to clearly see through my binos.

What would you recommend as a decent (noticeable) upgrade in the $400-500 range?
Click to expand...
I picked up a vortex doubler, just to have a light weight option to get that extra power for a quick spot. The new FHF pouch fits it nicely under my chest harness. And I've been happy with it! =]
 
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