I need some hunting binos

[gpr]

I need new hunting binos, and looking for suggestions. I was recommended the Meopta as a great bang for the buck for good glass quality. I was wondering how the MeoPro would compare with Vortex Vipers? I was told the MeoPro is better glass.

Also what about Athon Cronus bions? are they any good and how would they compare? I'm thinking i'd want something in 10x42 size. 12x seems like it might be too much and harder to hold still when glassing?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Meopro and Cronus are both good optics. We do not a demo on a Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD Binocular for only $699.99 if that is in the budget. We are in till 6 if you'd like to give a call to discuss options
Doug
516-217-1000

 

[hereinaz]

12x is only good for hand holding a short time, IMO. Its the one pair that I run, but on tripod mostly. I run them handheld for short periods of time. The magnification and weight make me go to support or my tripod if I really want a good look at detail. My buddy runs 10s and a pair of 20x.

Rokslide has a lot of good info and reviews from hunters.

I've run Viper, Razor, Swaro EL/SLC, and Leica Geovid. I would find a used Razor before I used a new Viper.

 

[45.308]

Better glass is too subjective. Its a hard sell on the hide but Leupold BX4 binos are hard to beat for the price. I was in the retail business for 17 years and many customers would be amazed comparing them side by side to other brands even at twice the price.

I have Vortex products, sold them for 11 years and there is nothing wrong with them but you are buying a warranty, they have one of the best marketing campaigns. Too many mid level bino out there to be sold on Vortex.

Meota are good to go.

10x42 have become the standard now. I personally would not go with anything higher mag but you will get different opinions. I used 8x for years and they worked just fine here in Alaska.

good luck

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

Steiner Predator Pro -
I had the privilege to participate in a retailer's field test with binos from Swarovski, Brunton, Steiner and Bushnel. For the money, the Steiner Predator Pro outperformed the others and was less than half the price of the Brunton and Swarovski. The Steiner Predator Pro had a proprietary color enhansing coating that gave a much better contrast and made it easier to see fine detail in all lighting conditions outdoors.

 

[wade2big]

I have a brand new set of Vortex Viper 12x50 binoculars. I sent you a pm OP. Nice and clear, I just prefer the same model but in 10x which I also have.

 

[bburnham]

I need new hunting binos, and looking for suggestions. I was recommended the Meopta as a great bang for the buck for good glass quality. I was wondering how the MeoPro would compare with Vortex Vipers? I was told the MeoPro is better glass.

Also what about Athon Cronus bions? are they any good and how would they compare? I'm thinking i'd want something in 10x42 size. 12x seems like it might be too much and harder to hold still when glassing?

If I were in your shoes and were looking at the options you and others have mentioned, I would take Doug at Cameraland up on his offer. That is a lot of value and performance for the price. I have used leica binocs for years .( trinovid 10/40, trinovid HD 8/42, trinovid 10x42).

 

[Cuda-dude]

I have Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 that are awesome-best I’ve ever looks through and comfortable for hand glassing. I’ve upgraded to the Zeiss Victory 10x45 LRF and am extremely happy. I’m gonna be moving the 10x42’s if interested.

 

[spearknives]

Nikon 10x42 Monarchs. I don't remember what I paid for them, but it's waterproof and just as good as a lot of much higher priced types.
Have pretty much been a fan of Leupold and sometimes Ziess for scopes, but Nikon makes pretty awesome binos for the price.

 

[762libertarian]

I've had 7x binos and 8x binos as my main hunting binos, and I'd really not want to go over 8x. The added usability is worth more than some magnification. At least for me - I'm glassing within 1000 yards and mostly within 600 yards. Higher magnification means you almost have to support your arms to comfortably look through the binos.

If you feel you want to use 10x for whatever reason then go for it, but to buy 12x binos to be used while stalking or moving around in any way seems impractical to me.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I've been really happy with my Bushnell Forge 10 and 15 binos. The glass is excellent, especially for the money. For hunting, I'd give the nod to the 10s due to size and weight - the 15s are pretty beefy.

 

[Luke]

I have the Burris Droptine 10x binos. Couldn't be happier with them and they're affordable. I've done a side by side comparison with them and the Vortex Diamondback 10x HD's, and the Burris Droptines are slightly better.

 

[gpr]

Thank you for all the help and suggestions. After looking around I ended up taking up Doug from Camera Land up on the deal for the Leica Trinovids.

Never owned or even have seen anything Leica, but always heard how great their glass is. I hate to say it but i'm super bummed and disappointed. I have a set of 15 year old cheapo Nikon binos. When i look threw them then my buddies Zeiss terra ed's there is a huge difference. Looking threw the Nikons then threw the Liecas i really struggle to see a difference. Not only that but the eye pieces don't fit me very well and black out a lot. The Vortex Vipers 10x50's i tried out seemed significantly better then these Leicas, and half the price. Sucks big time as i was super excited to have a good pair of binos, after messing with them today and spending a bunch of money i don't think I really upgraded......

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Thank you for all the help and suggestions. After looking around I ended up taking up Doug from Camera Land up on the deal for the Leica Trinovids.

Never owned or even have seen anything Leica, but always heard how great their glass is. I hate to say it but i'm super bummed and disappointed. I have a set of 15 year old cheapo Nikon binos. When i look threw them then my buddies Zeiss terra ed's there is a huge difference. Looking threw the Nikons then threw the Liecas i really struggle to see a difference. Not only that but the eye pieces don't fit me very well and black out a lot. The Vortex Vipers 10x50's i tried out seemed significantly better then these Leicas, and half the price. Sucks big time as i was super excited to have a good pair of binos, after messing with them today and spending a bunch of money i don't think I really upgraded......

If you're not happy with them, rather than posting here, please give me a call and we will take them back from you. No reason for you to keep them if you're not happy with them. As you said you never had an opportunity to look through one ahead of time so you had no idea. Everyone's eyes are different and these Leica's are not a good fit for you no reason you should keep them.
Again, please give me a call, 516-217-1000, so we can arrange to have you send these back. Never feel stuck with anything you get from us.
Doug

 

[magtech]

Hey Doug... Can you do this with wives too ?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Hey Doug... Can you do this with wives too ?

I'm on my 3rd, so I guess so

 

[myronman3]

good on you, Doug. that is exceptional service.

 

[gpr]

Wow, thank you for the offer! I will be giving you a call. I figured since its an open box deal that it is what it is and I'd be selling them or sending them to Leica to get check out. I just can't put my finger on it, but after stairing threw them for 30 minutes and getting a headache I decided these aren't for me.

 

[DXT_Shooter]

Now that is good customer service. Doug certainly knows how to treat his customers ??

 

[tlsmith22]

Doug sold me some Meopta for my blind bag last year and I highly recommend them. I run Swaro SLCs for big game hunting and there isn’t a lot of drop off from the SLC to the Meopta.

 

[powdahound76]

Dang, that's next level CS. I usually try to go local, but Doug's deals and that CS is pretty unreal.

OP - I like my vortex binos. Viper HD. are they top end, no. do they work well enough for hunting? Well, all the dead animals say so. Glassing for up to an hour at a time and no eye strain says a lot to me. I got mine on a crazy sale, so that made them all the better for me.

 

[maverickasu]

For hunting I've been intered in the Maven optics binos... Wondered what y'all thought

 

[Soulezoo]

I've got some Meopta meopros. I find they are really good and hard to beat in the price point.

Hunting wise, I will use my Stiener military/marine for stalking in the woods. The lightweight design and not having to focus for distance is really helpful. However, when stand hunting over clearings I like the Meoptas. Better glass and really good at last light. Also, 8x is generally more than enough for hunting. It's only select situations where the extra 2x is going to be more help than hindrance in most hunting situations.

That said, yes, there's better to be had. But not at their price point.

Anyway, you can trust Doug to steer you solid. I got my Meoptas from him and love the binos and the price.

 

[cropdude]

Do the Leica eye cups fit anyone? I have a pair of Geovid 10x42 HD-B. I love them other than the awful eyepieces, they are hard, and tough to get to fit right without blacking out half of the view. I have found a happy medium getting them adjusted. My old Swaro's and my wifes new Swaro are way more forgiving and comfortable.