Need some new Binoculars, what do you like?

[Blacksmith]

I was watching some 8x42 leupolds on Amazon then they went out of stock but I hear they are made in USA and I want that


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Bought 8 x 42 Vortex. Were fuzzy around outside edge of glass. Retuned for the same in Leupold. Awesome.

 

[Kayl]

I just looked & mine were 10x32 would like to get a little more distance if possible

Were you saying you want more magnification? How much more? I picked up a pair of the Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 binos for a Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Teton trip this summer and they were awesome. Perfect? Absolutely not, 15x glass at $350 is going to be full of compromises, but we used them to see wild horses at an easy 1/2-3/4 mile, look for bears, etc. I can handhold them, but they're a ton better on a tripod. We've also used them to look at the moon, what a wild view!

Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binocular Review

Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 are loaded with great features and include a lof of accessories to give huge value at a low price point.

www.rokslide.com

If 15x is too much magnification, I've looked through a friend's Vortex Crossfire 12x50s and while I wouldn't recommend the Crossfires, the 12x magnification is a good compromise between 10x and bigger glass.

This is the tripod adapter I picked up; works just great for me: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B099WVTP7X/
This is the tripod and panning head I got; it may be overkill if you're not also going to use it for photo/video like I do: https://store.sirui.com/collections...sirui-standard-series-carbon-fiber-tripod-kit

I think you'll love the Mavens for a wider view though!

 

[Bigterp]

Were you saying you want more magnification? How much more? I picked up a pair of the Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 binos for a Glacier/Yellowstone/Grand Teton trip this summer and they were awesome. Perfect? Absolutely not, 15x glass at $350 is going to be full of compromises, but we used them to see wild horses at an easy 1/2-3/4 mile, look for bears, etc. I can handhold them, but they're a ton better on a tripod. We've also used them to look at the moon, what a wild view!

Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binocular Review

Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 are loaded with great features and include a lof of accessories to give huge value at a low price point.

www.rokslide.com

If 15x is too much magnification, I've looked through a friend's Vortex Crossfire 12x50s and while I wouldn't recommend the Crossfires, the 12x magnification is a good compromise between 10x and bigger glass.

This is the tripod adapter I picked up; works just great for me: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B099WVTP7X/
This is the tripod and panning head I got; it may be overkill if you're not also going to use it for photo/video like I do: https://store.sirui.com/collections...sirui-standard-series-carbon-fiber-tripod-kit

I think you'll love the Mavens for a wider view though!

I thought I wanted more magnification but a little better glass was the ticket these are perfect for Eastern whitetail hunting. I’m gonna need more glass for my western trips but these far exceed what I had previously

 

[OspreyZB]

I was watching some 8x42 leupolds on Amazon then they went out of stock but I hear they are made in USA and I want that


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Leupold doesn't make any binoculars in the USA anymore. Actually, I don't think anyone does. The old Leupold gold rings were the only binoculars I've ever seen labeled "made in USA". Mavens top of the line B series binoculars are assembled in the USA. The parts are manufactured by Kamakura in Japan, then shipped to Kama-Tech (a Kamakura owned corporation) in California for final assembly, but the binoculars are labeled "Mavenbuilt JAPAN".

 

[2Sloe]

Just to lay some groundwork (I'm sure most will already know this, but maybe some don't) the first number of a binocular configuration is the magnification, the second number is the objective lens size. So an 8x42 is 8x magnification, with 42mm objective lenses. The exit pupils are the bright circles you see in the eyepieces when you hold the binoculars away from your face. You can calculate exit pupil size by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification. So for a 8x42 binocular, 42÷8 gives you a 5.25mm exit pupil. For hunting crepuscular animals I would recommend something with at least a 5mm exit pupil.

Exit pupils of 8x20 binoculars (top) and 8x56 binoculars (bottom). As you can see, the 8x56 let's in a lot more light.
View attachment 76631

My favorite configuration for hunting in the timber is 7x42. Compared to an 8x42, a 7x42 will typically have a wider field (easier to get on target fast), better depth of field (less focusing required), less hand-shake (easier to hold steady, especially one-handed), and a brighter image in low-light thanks to the bigger exit pupil. The only problem is, there aren't many 7x42 binoculars being made anymore. I have the Leica UVHD, but brand new they would cost nearly 10 times what you're wanting to spend. There's the opticron discovery which is in your price range and gets good reviews. The discontinued 7x42 meopta meostar is a great value, but unfortunately they don't come up for sale too often. A pair did sell on here not too long ago for $500. They didn't last long though, I tried to buy them the day they were posted and someone beat me to it.

Really good info that a lot of folks either just don’t know about or don’t take the time to understand. It’s also good to understand that as you age, your pupils do not dilate as much as when you are 25yo. So if you 50 or older and you are down to 5mm eye pupil dilation due to age, then 7x50 (7.1mm exit pupil), 8x42 (5.25mm), and 7x35 (5mm) would all appear equally bright under the same low light conditions. Therefore, with your 5mm eyes, you could buy a pair with a smaller objective lens, save some money and some weight and not give up any light gathering capability….for your eyes. I have a pair of B&L 7x42 roofs that I’ve had for over 30 years and they are awesome under low light, but they are heavy AF so I rarely carry them now that I go much deeper with the saddle. Something to keep in mind when you are looking at high mag and big objectives. Can’t see anything with binos that are at home or in the truck, I don’t care how good they are.

 

[USSHornet]

Leupold doesn't make any binoculars in the USA anymore. Actually, I don't think anyone does. The old Leupold gold rings were the only binoculars I've ever seen labeled "made in USA". Mavens top of the line B series binoculars are assembled in the USA. The parts are manufactured by Kamakura in Japan, then shipped to Kama-Tech (a Kamakura owned corporation) in California for final assembly, but the binoculars are labeled "Mavenbuilt JAPAN".

Ouch…thanks for the info


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[Camelcluch]

Go to the store during dark hours. Take a few steps outside and look through them in the lowest light possible. You’ll see a difference real quick.
Cabelas let’s me do this if I leave a credit card and the employee goes out with me.

 

[Crcusmonky]

Really good info that a lot of folks either just don’t know about or don’t take the time to understand. It’s also good to understand that as you age, your pupils do not dilate as much as when you are 25yo. So if you 50 or older and you are down to 5mm eye pupil dilation due to age, then 7x50 (7.1mm exit pupil), 8x42 (5.25mm), and 7x35 (5mm) would all appear equally bright under the same low light conditions. Therefore, with your 5mm eyes, you could buy a pair with a smaller objective lens, save some money and some weight and not give up any light gathering capability….for your eyes. I have a pair of B&L 7x42 roofs that I’ve had for over 30 years and they are awesome under low light, but they are heavy AF so I rarely carry them now that I go much deeper with the saddle. Something to keep in mind when you are looking at high mag and big objectives. Can’t see anything with binos that are at home or in the truck, I don’t care how good they are.

All good info. Just another consideration is going down you lose field of view. Not the end all be all, just something to consider.


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[OspreyZB]

All good info. Just another consideration is going down you lose field of view. Not the end all be all, just something to consider.


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Going down in magnification will typically increase FOV. Going down in objective size it can go either way, but often times the FOV is actually wider in smaller binoculars compared to larger ones of the same make/model. Take the Leica Ultravids for example:
8x32- 404 ft @ 1000 yards
8x42- 389 ft @ 1000 yards
8x50- 352 ft @ 1000 yards

 

[deerfly]

I picked up a pair of Meopta Pro 8x32's last year to replace a 20yr old pair of Nikon 8x42 Monarch's, which are still very good. I was just looking for something a little more compact. After a season of use I can say the Meopta's equal or rival the old Monarch's at first and last light, even with the smaller objective. Noticeably brighter during good light too. Very good glass/coatings IMHO.

Not sure how the Meopta's will hold up over time, they feel solid, but time will tell. FWIW, the Nikon's have been to hell and back over 20yrs. Two AK float hunt's and hundreds of hunting and fishing expeditions in between. Not sure whether they've made them any better or not over the years, but probably worth consideration too.

 

[Crcusmonky]

All good info. Just another consideration is going down you lose field of view. Not the end all be all, just something to consider.


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Yeah totally looked at that the wrong way


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[OspreyZB]

Yeah totally looked at that the wrong way


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It's weird, you would think larger objective lenses=larger FOV, but it doesn't always. I remember reading about how/why that's the case, over on birdforum, but it was way over my head.

 

[2Sloe]

It's weird, you would think larger objective lenses=larger FOV, but it doesn't always. I remember reading about how/why that's the case, over on birdforum, but it was way over my head.

That’s because larger objective lenses are generally associated with higher magnifications, which reduce FOV. Just like dialing in a higher power on your scope does.

 

[OspreyZB]

That’s because larger objective lenses are generally associated with higher magnifications, which reduce FOV. Just like dialing in a higher power on your scope does.

Yeah I understand how increasing magnification would decrease FOV, but I'm talking about binoculars with the same magnification and different objective lens sizes, like the example above with the 8x32, 8x42, and 8x50 Leica Ultravids.

 

[jtw0057]

Yeah I understand how increasing magnification would decrease FOV, but I'm talking about binoculars with the same magnification and different objective lens sizes, like the example above with the 8x32, 8x42, and 8x50 Leica Ultravids.

They are longer typically and that reduces your fov. Imagine looking through a toilet paper roll vs a paper towel roll.


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[metty]

Another vote for Athlon. I bought the Neos G2 last year in 8x42 and I’ve been very happy with them for NC deer hunting. My mom has some Nikon Prostaffs and that’s the only thing I’ve handled in comparison that’s a “nice” bino and I would say they are comparable. I think I got mine for $80 off eBay

 

[USSHornet]

Dropped my old Brunton. 8x42s in the river crossing Sunday afternoon, because I was distracted by a hole in my rubber boots…… train wreck deer recovery. Anyway, hoping to capitalize on my misfortune this weekend & catch a deal. What do you like & why. Like to be under $300ish

I am gonna vet some Leupolds 8x42 this year …great American story they invented fog free I think they are assembled in US but they get their glass overseas like everyone.


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