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Need some new Binoculars, what do you like?

DelaWhere_Arrow said:
I have some Vortex Diamondback 10x42s I really like. They can usually be had for well-under 3 benjamins. I saw at Cabela’s recently for under $200. Nothing fancy, they gather light well at dawn and dusk and they don’t give me a headache. Lightweight enough to fit in my jacket pocket or dump pouch if I don’t want to put around neck for climbing or layering purposes. Glass seems to be good quality and they’re comfortable to wear while scouting. I was impressed with their anti-fogging and water resistance as well. I think they’re worth more than they cost.
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X2
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
I have some Vortex Diamondback 10x42s I really like. They can usually be had for well-under 3 benjamins. I saw at Cabela’s recently for under $200. Nothing fancy, they gather light well at dawn and dusk and they don’t give me a headache. Lightweight enough to fit in my jacket pocket or dump pouch if I don’t want to put around neck for climbing or layering purposes. Glass seems to be good quality and they’re comfortable to wear while scouting. I was impressed with their anti-fogging and water resistance as well. I think they’re worth more than they cost.
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Cabela's has the 10x42 Vipers for $300 right now. If I were looking for 10x42 I'd go with those.
 
I've have a pair of Steiner Nighthunter 8x30 binoculars which I feel work great in low light conditions. Would a set of 8x42 be a big step up over the 8x30 during daytime use or would the difference in size only be noticed in near dark conditions?

The Steiner weigh in at 21 ounces which I thought was heavy but after looking at a few 10x42, the Steiner is actually lighter and physically smaller than the others even though it's a porro prism.

Now what about a porro vs roof prism lesson and which is better for the whitetail woods?
 
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slonstdy said:
I've have a pair of Steiner Nighthunter 8x30 binoculars which I feel work great in low light conditions. Would a set of 8x42 be a big step up over the 8x30 during daytime use or would the difference in size only be noticed in near dark conditions?
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You’re going to have an overall wider field of view and the larger objective lens on the 8X42 will always be brighter as more light is being let in.
 
slonstdy said:
I've have a pair of Steiner Nighthunter 8x30 binoculars which I feel work great in low light conditions. Would a set of 8x42 be a big step up over the 8x30 during daytime use or would the difference in size only be noticed in near dark conditions?

The Steiner weigh in at 21 ounces which I thought was heavy but after looking at a few 10x42, the Steiner is actually lighter and physically smaller than the others even though it's a porro prism.

Now what about a porro vs roof prism lesson and which is better for the whitetail woods?
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Those Steiner nighthunters have insanely good light transmission, something like 95+ percent, so in daylight they should be as bright or brighter than just about any 8x42 (except maybe the Zeiss victory HT). A good 8x42 would only appear brighter in low light, when your pupils have dilated larger than the 3.75mm exit pupils of the 8x30. Notice I said a good 8x42, because an 8x42 with 80% light transmission would probably appear dimmer than your 8x30 nighthunters even in low light. Porro prism binoculars generally have good light transmission because they have a simple design, with less lens elements than roof prism binoculars. You'll have to spend a lot to get something significantly better than those nighthunters... that individual eyepiece focus would drive me nuts and be a enough of a reason for me to upgrade though...
 
OspreyZB said:
... that individual eyepiece focus would drive me nuts and be a enough of a reason for me to upgrade though...
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Haha, you nailed it! Never had an issue with the eyepieces until my vision declined. Now they're a PITA and the reason I'm thinking of getting something new.
 
i have the sig bdx 10x40 and freakin love them not only are they good binos but they also range way further than i can shoot and have a nice red display. Im pretty strict bow hunter but i have a sig cross rifle topped with a bdx scope pretty sweet set up, but i dont hunt with it lol! I find my self using the binos more than my range finder. topped with marsupeal gear bino harness killer set up i have countless hours with!
 
slonstdy said:
Haha, you nailed it! Never had an issue with the eyepieces until my vision declined. Now they're a PITA and the reason I'm thinking of getting something new.
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Do it, my eyes suck too and I have those Steiners, used them for years but finally gave in and bought something else, I have a pair of Leica something or other that cost a couple mortgage payments, yes they are awesome but I hardly use them for fear of breaking something or losing the things, I use my Vortex Diamondbacks the most 10x42 I believe, the Leicas are definitely better, at 7 times the cost they should be, my Vortex do everything I need however, I keep those Leicas in case I go out West again and for summer scouting from the truck.
 
Saw you made your decision already, but after trying a number of binoculars when I lived on the east coast, I settled on a used pair of Swarovski 8x30 SLC WB’s as the best fit for me. Not too big, not too heavy, crisp image, and large enough that they fill the hand well.

I’ve owned some other Swarovskis since and can’t really see going back to Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell, etc. They hold their value pretty well, which is an added benefit. Only time I had to use Swarovski customer service was when a refurbished pair of binoculars was missing the screw cover where you can attach a tripod. The part was sent 2nd day, shipped the day after I emailed them.

I’ve had to use warranty services for companies with lifetime warranties selling Chinese made binoculars, through no fault of my own, and while the experience wasn’t bad, it was a little slower than I expected (2 week turnaround with Vortex most recently).

I hope those Mavens treat you well!
 
4090Sharps said:
Saw you made your decision already, but after trying a number of binoculars when I lived on the east coast, I settled on a used pair of Swarovski 8x30 SLC WB’s as the best fit for me. Not too big, not too heavy, crisp image, and large enough that they fill the hand well.

I’ve owned some other Swarovskis since and can’t really see going back to Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell, etc. They hold their value pretty well, which is an added benefit. Only time I had to use Swarovski customer service was when a refurbished pair of binoculars was missing the screw cover where you can attach a tripod. The part was sent 2nd day, shipped the day after I emailed them.

I’ve had to use warranty services for companies with lifetime warranties selling Chinese made binoculars, through no fault of my own, and while the experience wasn’t bad, it was a little slower than I expected (2 week turnaround with Vortex most recently).

I hope those Mavens treat you well!
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@4090Sharps where did you get the used Swarovski’s from? Do you have a recommended seller?
 
Thanks
4090Sharps said:
Saw you made your decision already, but after trying a number of binoculars when I lived on the east coast, I settled on a used pair of Swarovski 8x30 SLC WB’s as the best fit for me. Not too big, not too heavy, crisp image, and large enough that they fill the hand well.

I’ve owned some other Swarovskis since and can’t really see going back to Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell, etc. They hold their value pretty well, which is an added benefit. Only time I had to use Swarovski customer service was when a refurbished pair of binoculars was missing the screw cover where you can attach a tripod. The part was sent 2nd day, shipped the day after I emailed them.

I’ve had to use warranty services for companies with lifetime warranties selling Chinese made binoculars, through no fault of my own, and while the experience wasn’t bad, it was a little slower than I expected (2 week turnaround with Vortex most recently).

I hope those Mavens treat you well!
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Thanks for the input. I’ve never owned good glass so I don’t have a high end comparison. From what others said these were a better glass than vortex vipers & on that Black Friday deal were about 1/2 the cost of premium glass. I am really happy with the 8x42s they far exceed the 10x32 Bruntons they replaced. I had those for 15-18 years so I’m sure these will be great for a long time. Super clear & amazing in low light & easy to get on target & hold steady with one hand if need be.
 
Blacksmith said:
I went to buy 8 x 42 Vortex but instead purchased 8 x 42 Leupolds. Very impressed w/the quality. Called Leupold to buy a strap and covers for another older pair and a couple days later they arrived, NC.
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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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