Help me pick some binos

[snowplow]

Hey guys, I have a set of old Cabela's intensity HDs. They had a problem and Cabela's warrantied them for me. They basically gave me a gift card so I'm trying to figure out how to best use my money. These were 12x50 but I think I'm going to go up to 15x56. I am just starting to play around at longer ranges.

I looked through the new Intensity ED 15x56. Also the Vortex Crossfire and Diamondback HD. I love the idea of the vortex warranty. The new intensities just have a 1-year warranty. The crossfire was the same price as the intensity but looked way less clear. I was really surprised that the Intensities also looked much more clear and crisp than the 70$ more expensive Diamondbacks. And I he fit and finish was much better as well. My price point is around 300 ish. I'm not sure how much l would have to spend to get the glass clarity of a vortex to match the intensity.

Also, l could go another direction since l was planning on buying a rangefinder soon anyway. l looked at the Sig Kilo Canyon 5000 rangefinding binoculars. They were 10x and nowhere near the clarity, and 600$ but I wouldn't be buying a rangefinder either. I have no experience with rangefinding binoculars. It just seems like a cool way to combine two pieces of kit into one.

How would you guys spend my money? But it has to be from Cabela's.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

If this will be your only pair of binoculars, 15x56 can be a chunk to tote around all the time. I used a pair of 10x42 Swaros for many years and got by just fine. As for the the choices you mentioned above, I wouldn’t waste money on Crossfire or diamondbacks.

 

[JayOpticspecialist]

I've had good luck with the Vortex Fury RF binoculars. they are above your budget for binoculars, but if you combine your budget for the rf and binoculars, it's close. https://cstactical.com/vortex-fury-hd-5000-10x42-lrf301/

you didn't mention what you were doing with your binoculars. what's the use case?

 

[snowplow]

Yep l have other 8x and 10x l carry on my chest. The 15x are for glassing clear-cuts a little further out on a tripod. If l got the 10x RF binos they would take place of the ones on my chest and be my main ones.

 

[snowplow]

Do you guys think this price point is a waste of time for 15x? I would entertain 12X if I could get a much better set for the price.

 

[salks]

In my experience as far as glass you pretty much get what you pay for. The glass inside a brightly lit store or on a sunny day look ok. Looking into darkened corner or in low light, quality glass stands out. Get the best you can afford and then some. Never ever ever spend time behind a set of someone else's Swarovski binos. You will want one.

 

[JayOpticspecialist]

In my experience as far as glass you pretty much get what you pay for. The glass inside a brightly lit store or on a sunny day look ok. Looking into darkened corner or in low light, quality glass stands out. Get the best you can afford and then some. Never ever ever spend time behind a set of someone else's Swarovski binos. You will want one.

sage advise. always get a step up in your glass. you'll never be upset you did.