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Hunting & Fishing Binoculars for hunting

G

geewiz

Private
Minuteman
Jul 17, 2010
8
0
66
calif
#1
Hey there

I'm looking for a good pair of binoculars for hunting. Mostly hogs and coyotes in California. I know a lot more about scopes than I do about binoculars. I have a few top end scopes on a variety of rifles but I only have and old pair of 30 year old binoculars and their big and heavy. I don't mind spending more if its worth it. Thanks in advance

G
 
#2
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I purchased ZENRAY ED2 based upon many positive reviews across the web. Well made, great warranty and the same phase coating you'll find on European glass.

Leupold Cascades are great glass as well.

 
#3
Re: Binoculars for hunting

Take a serious look at the Cabelas version of Swarovski glass. Never would have thought about the comparison until I actually spent some time behind them.
 
#7
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I have just found out about the Rayzen ED2 8x34 and there now going for about $400. The glass is top quality from what I hear. Until today I had never heard of them.
 
#10
#11
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geewiz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">anyone know about the Swarovski binoculars slc 8x30
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/sw...ap-shot-adapter </div></div>

I had a pair I bought used from ebay, found out they had internal fogging (not disclosed by seller and to much time had past to do anything through ebay). Contacted Swarovski and they repaired them free of charge even though I was not the original owner. I can't say enough good about Swarovski!

During the time the 8x30's were being repaired I bought a pair of viper vortex 8x42's from cameraland. Once the 8x30's were back I compared them and found the image was great. Better than vortex but not by much, in low light or dim woods the viper's 42mm obj lens was what made up my mind to keep the vipers and sell the swarovski.

Also, because I wear eye glasses the extra eye relief of the vipers allowed for better viewing.

I had a pair of 7x50 Steiners for a few years prior to the above. They were nice but did not have the image quality of either of the above, quite a bit of diference actually. They were great in low light though and had more than enough eye relief for me. Not sure about their 8x30's, I have never looked through them.
 
#12
Re: Binoculars for hunting

Carson Optical HD's. great reviews, awesome price...
I have a pair of their JK-042's that i got for free from my employer thru their employee appreciation program. I thought, what the heck...they can't be TOO bad and if they are i'll give them to the boys to play with.

as soon as I got them i was blown away. Handed them to my avid birdwatcher neighbor who swears by his monarchs. he bought a pair and gave his monarchs to his wife.

The HD's are featured in the field and stream "best of the best for 2010" issue. If you have 2k to drop on glass, go with the "S" brands...if you want a great pair of binocs for 300 bucks, I really don't think you will find a better set than the Carsons. Just my .02
 
#14
Re: Binoculars for hunting

If you aren't wanting to spend the money on the Swarovski's, then make sure you never look through a pair. If you do, everything else will seem like crap.
 
#15
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geewiz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have just found out about the Rayzen ED2 8x34 and there now going for about $400. The glass is top quality from what I hear. Until today I had never heard of them. </div></div>

I spend two months researching glass and was willing to fund a pair of Swaro EL's. I decided on the ZenRay Ed2. Same phase coating as the top end binos. As another poster suggested, Vortex. Vortex is getting rave reviews as well.
 
#16
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ryanjay11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you aren't wanting to spend the money on the Swarovski's, then make sure you never look through a pair. If you do, everything else will seem like crap. </div></div>

trueier words were never typed. i looked threw a buddies pair once and now i look threw my kahles (wich are decent binos) and am dissipointed every time i do. there is no binos ive seen that are even in the same league as swarovski
 
#17
Re: Binoculars for hunting

Thats true about not looking through them I have 10x42 nikon and they are decent. Over in montana last year i was looking at a buck at about 650 yards and i could see him "fine" through mine. Then I looked at him through my buddies 8 power
Swarovski's and was really disapointed with mine. now mine are going on ebay. It is funny because i have asked people on the hide if there is really that much difference in glass. And now I am a believer. I also sold my lawton action hunting rifle and
am clearing out all of my other stuff and building my rifle from the scope down. GODFORSAKEN SWARO's
 
#18
Re: Binoculars for hunting

so true! i have the same ones a-hull. my dad has zeiss and my mom has swaro.

nikon is great...till you look through a real set. just like my super sniper glass was fine till i looked through a nforce
 
#19
Re: Binoculars for hunting

You can't go wrong with 8x30 Swaros and I've seen some good deals on used ones lately. I usually tell people to go to Sportsman Warehouse or Cabelas and stand at the optic counter for an hour and compare, looking at the resolution chart and into dark areas of the store. Most everybody comes away with a new perspective on optics and aren't happy with the cheapos they have that they thought was a great piece of glass. Swaros, Zeiss and Leica will light up your world, but some still think a set of Bushnells are as clear and bright as a pair of Leicas. To them I advise they buy the Bushnells or Barskas or whatever, no sense in wasting their money.
 
#21
Re: Binoculars for hunting

For the budget minded i like Sightron, vortex. For the top tier i will not settle for anything but leica if i have to throw down some $$$$ . Ask me why i sold my swaros
 
#22
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I just got some Meopta's for this past season. Side by side comparison with Swaros. I would give Swaro the edge. But not by the difference in price. Check out the Meopta's, you'll thank me later.

Eddie
 
#24
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I had a pair of 10X40 Zeiss classics, They were awesome optics. Then I picked up a pair of 10x42 swarovski ELs, sold the Zeiss. Only thing I wish swarovski would do is put their range finder in a pair of ELs. I have looked through a pair of Vortex Viper 15x Binoculars. I was really impressed with their optics.

Kc
 
#25
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ryanjay11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you aren't wanting to spend the money on the Swarovski's, then make sure you never look through a pair. If you do, everything else will seem like crap. </div></div>

Yep, the 8x30 SLC's are nice.
I got some new SLC 10x42's out of the mail box this morning.
If you decide on Swaros I'd recommend grabbing up one of the discontinued 2010 models. I'm pretty sure that everything they make from now on will be "HD" stuff, and it'll all be over $2k.

This dang good glass is addictive.
 
#26
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ryanjay11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you aren't wanting to spend the money on the Swarovski's, then make sure you never look through a pair. If you do, everything else will seem like crap. </div></div>

Swarovkis are the best...and there customer service is second to none!

I was a idiot and dropped me 10X42 EL's and they were junk called swarovski up and they fixed them no questions asked!

The best glass you can find in binnos in my opinion
 
#27
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264win</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the budget minded i like Sightron, vortex. For the top tier i will not settle for anything but leica if i have to throw down some $$$$ . Ask me why i sold my swaros </div></div>



why did you sell your swaros?
 
#29
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I have a bino (10x42) and spotting scope (60mm ED) from Minox. They are great glass and Doug at Cameraland has outstanding prices. I think for the money they stand very well up to any of the high end Euro and Asian optics. Some of the Minox were made in Japan. I believe all their stuff returned to European manufacturing. (I own Zeiss and Kowa product too.) I am sure Doug will post some demos he has picked up from the SHOT show soon.
 
#31
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a-hull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is to get lieca range finding binos, </div></div>

Good binos will last a long time, but electronics are subject to take a dump on you any time. I like keeping them separate.
The Leica 1200 CRF will fit in a shirt pocket.
 
#32
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KClark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can't go wrong with 8x30 Swaros and I've seen some good deals on used ones lately. </div></div>

There's a good deal on some 8x30 SLC's right now on another site.
Is it OK to post a link to another site here?

I have no connection whatsoever to the seller, but I did post some pictures of the binos for him because he didn't know how to post pics.
 
#33
Re: Binoculars for hunting

The swaros definitely are sounding hard to beat. I can't stop thinking about those Rayzen ED2 8x34. I have heard nothing but good about them but I haven't heard it from a lot of people. Anyone else know anything about these?
 
#34
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fw707</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a-hull</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My goal is to get lieca range finding binos, </div></div>

Good binos will last a long time, but electronics are subject to take a dump on you any time. I like keeping them separate.
The Leica 1200 CRF will fit in a shirt pocket. </div></div>

I thought about that too, but the other option would be lots of practice ranging with your reticle as a backup.
 
#35
Re: Binoculars for hunting

after my 1st pair had to go back for repairs twice and my second pair broke , i decided i had had enough .if your thinking of going with the swaros , do your homework . check with some major sporting goods retailers and see what they say .

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a-hull</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 264win</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the budget minded i like Sightron, vortex. For the top tier i will not settle for anything but leica if i have to throw down some $$$$ . Ask me why i sold my swaros </div></div>



why did you sell your swaros? </div></div>
 
#38
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KClark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can't go wrong with 8x30 Swaros and I've seen some good deals on used ones lately. I usually tell people to go to Sportsman Warehouse or Cabelas and stand at the optic counter for an hour and compare, looking at the resolution chart and into dark areas of the store. Most everybody comes away with a new perspective on optics and aren't happy with the cheapos they have that they thought was a great piece of glass. Swaros, Zeiss and Leica will light up your world, but some still think a set of Bushnells are as clear and bright as a pair of Leicas. To them I advise they buy the Bushnells or Barskas or whatever, no sense in wasting their money. </div></div>

That is great advice.
 
#40
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I hunt hard and am hard on binos. I've had cheapos, mid priced Luepold and Nikon to Steiners. None have compared to the 10X50 Swaros, though. Hopefully the last pair I will ever have to buy.
 
#43
Re: Binoculars for hunting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: robescc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a pair of Minox 10x44 and love them. </div></div>


I know a cuople of guys who use them and really like them.
 
#44
Re: Binoculars for hunting

I have been on quite a few hunts and it seems I spend most of my time looking through bino's and a little bit of time looking through the scope on my rifle. If you want quality and can afford them definitely go with Swaro's. I have been on countless hunts where I spot an animal with my Swaro's and my buddies can't pick them up with their cabela's brand or vortex optics. I tried them as well and even knowing where the animal was I could barely spot them. Not bashing those brands because they are nice optics in their price range but you definitely get what you pay for.
 
#45
Re: Binoculars for hunting

i was set on leica but went with the 8x50 Swarovski SLC's great bino's... if you can save the $$$ go with the new Swarovski HD's with the magnesium frame they are a bit lighter, and the crystal...
 
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