On the budget. Vortex Viper HD Bino 10x42 or 12x50

[Prophet78]

I’ve yet to look through either of these out doors. I did look through a set of Diamondback 10x42’s last weekend on a dreary day and was impressed by the clarity for how cheap they were. I can get either pair of bino’s one for about half of the 12’s.

Can I get some opinions?

 

[Rerun7]

Opinion on what? We have no idea what you are going to use them for, how you’ll use them, etc.

In that case I say get the 12x50 because they will fit your stated needs perfectly...

?

 

[Prophet78]

Seeing mirage, spotting impacts during matches.

 

[Fishin6061]

Tripod?

 

[Prophet78]

Always. I went another direction. Maven C.3’s. 12x50.

 

[chutinlead]

Curious how you like the mavens? I am also in the market for binos and wondered if the jump to vipers would be worth it. I live in WY and got to test a set of 12x50s and loved them. Just didn’t know if I could justify the vipers over the diamondbacks on a budget.

 

[Prophet78]

I just got them today. So nothing in the field as of yet.

I can tell you that I’m not an expert in quality bino’s. I’ve looked through Razor UHD’s, looked through diamondbacks (which I was impressed by for how cheap they are). Looked through Viper HD’s in the store. I’ve looked through Swaro Bino’s, their high end. Not a lot of time but I wasn’t impressed.

Having said that, spotters I’m pretty, good with. Razors, PENTAX, Nightforce.

These Mavens are pretty damn good. It was getting dark and low light viewing is great. Contrast and saturation is really good. You get a real 3D look as you move through the focus plane.

Tomorrow, I’ll play with them before 5pm but hopefully it’ll be bright.

I got $80 off for a damaged box on Amazon. They were perfect out of the box. I did also pick up a Vortex Bino Mount. It works ok.

 

[chutinlead]

That’s about how I would go about getting a set. It would have to be discounted.

 

[Prophet78]

It looks like all the deals that were on Amazon are now gone. I got the cheapest ones at that time and the box had a mark/dent on it.

Also, I could sworn the price was $399 for the 12x’s. Now they are $425. Truth be told, quality vs quality and price vs price, so far Maven every time.

 

[chutinlead]

I still am leaning towards combining gear and getting either the sig 3000 or vortex fury. I looked at the mavens, but still not convinced

 

[BoulderE89]

Curious how you like the mavens? I am also in the market for binos and wondered if the jump to vipers would be worth it. I live in WY and got to test a set of 12x50s and loved them. Just didn’t know if I could justify the vipers over the diamondbacks on a budget.

I was in sportsman’s warehouse today and looked through both the viper HD 12x50 and new diamondback HD 12x50 and there’s a noticeable jump in clarity between the two. To my eyes at least, the price was justifiable.

 

[chutinlead]

I was in sportsman’s warehouse today and looked through both the viper HD 12x50 and new diamondback HD 12x50 and there’s a noticeable jump in clarity between the two. To my eyes at least, the price was justifiable.

Doesn’t matter now. I got lucky and scored a sweet deal on some razors. 12x50 in those is a dream

 

[BoulderE89]

Doesn’t matter now. I got lucky and scored a sweet deal on some razors. 12x50 in those is a dream

Also looked through those and they were insanely great to look through. Good choice

 

[Healy]

I’ve been spotting impacts with my 6x rangefinder keeps me from carrying binoculars

 

[chutinlead]

I’ve been spotting impacts with my 6x rangefinder keeps me from carrying binoculars

I carried a set of old Nikon compacts and my sig kilo 2000 this season and I found myself leaving the nikons in the truck.

 

[chutinlead]

Also looked through those and they were insanely great to look through. Good choice

Oh man they are. I’m lovin’ em

 

[gasrat]

I have the 12x50 Vipers. Friend has the Maven. To me, the clarity is about even. However, the Mavens seem brighter. Both are excellent for glassing at matches.

 

[MarshalC_SportOptics]

If you are looking for a spotting set of binos, I would stay around the 12 power range. The new Viper HD are awesome and I rarely see someone use an 8 or a 10x42 at the range. Just not as useful for seeing impact or spotting in general.