Binoculars

I tried out the Zeiss FL, Leica Ultravids (non-HD) and the new Leupold HD. The Leicas would be useful 3-5 minutes earlier before dawn than the Zeiss and around 7 minutes earlier than the Leupys. But the Leupys could resolve significantly more fine detail at a distance. I walked into the Cabelas expecting to buy the Leicas, walked out surprised and with the leupys. The Leupys are less than half of the price of the others. I honestly would have paid twice the price for them.
 
Bushnell Legends for me. Great bang for the buck, take a beating and not too financially shattering if they get lost.
 
First, if you buy quality you'll only cry once. Second, if you buy quality glass you'll use them more IME. third, get yourself a pair of Nikon Monarch 8 x 32's for less than $300; and you'll use them every chance you have and not worry about damaging your expensive $2k glass. There's hardly a day that goes by that i don't glass something in the woods with my Monarchs. By the way, i got a pair for the GF first, like her's so much i bought myself a pair! Now there's an endorsement and i have some nice glass like Leica, Steiner, et al. and have birded for the past 30 years. The monarchs are 22 ozs and easy enough to wear/carry that they are my current edc glass.
 
In a Monocular a Zeiss is hard to beat, unless you can find the rare pentax which is'nt made anymore.
 
I keep a little 10x monocular in my pouch, it only cost around $12 I think. I don't use it often enough to merit a terribly expensive pair, and I've been happy with this one so far.
 
For the money I like my Nikon Monarch ATBs...waterproof and about as good optics as you can buy until you are spending well over a grand. I got mine in 8.5 x 56 for the low light capability - if they made them in 7x50 that would have been better but I am still young and I have steady hands, so the 8.5 is within my "no-shake" range.
 
I'm a fool for good optics and when I carry binoculars in my pack, it's my Zeiss Victory 10x25's. I tested them agains similar offerings from Leica, Nikon, Leupold, and Swarovski. The Swarovski's were notably brighter and sharper but they were $200 more and not ergonomically as pleasing to me.

When I don't feel like carry the small weight of these, I have a Brunton 8x monocular. The optics are fine for the price but don't compare to being able to use two eyes.

I also have some Canon 10x30 IS and Nikon 8x32 Superior E binoculars but one is for quick looks at the night sky and the others are for serious bird watching. Both are too heavy and bulky to take hiking unless nature watching is the reason for the hike. Frankly, the Zeiss 10x25's are about as bright and sharper than the Canon stabilized binoculars but the eye relief is more comfortable on the Canons and, of course, the image is stable. The Nikons have a superior image to both but are tricky to use. Many people who own them report kidney beaning (blackouts) if not aligned perfectly to your eyes.
 
jh205 said:
Any of you guys regularly use binoculars in the wilderness? If so, what type are you using?
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Swarovskis 10x42 got the nod after evaluating the top three, the other two being Zeiss and Leica. Swarovski offered a great warranty and even better after sales services like recoating and rearmoring. No questions on returns and very quick turn around. That is important for people who use them every day.

Like someone said, save your money and buy a good pair of binos the first time.

GB
 
When I was shopping around I had read a ton of reviews and did a lot of research. One of the best reviews in my opinion was from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

After trying out the top three manufacturers (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski) 10x42 models side-by-side I found no noticable difference in the image quality so I think in the end my choice was based more on how they felt in-hand (weight, ergonomics, quality). My personal choice based on the "external" fit and feel ended up being 1-Leica, 2-Swarovski, 3-Zeiss. I bought the Leica's.

I would recommend that anyone shopping for a pair of binos make sure that they spend some time doing lots of side-by-side comparisons and pick the one that feels and works best for them.
 
Gerberblades said:
Swarovskis 10x42 got the nod after evaluating the top three, the other two being Zeiss and Leica. Swarovski offered a great warranty and even better after sales services like recoating and rearmoring. No questions on returns and very quick turn around. That is important for people who use them every day.

Like someone said, save your money and buy a good pair of binos the first time.

GB
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I have heard that as well, that Swarovski customer service and warranty are exemplary. I just hope my Leica's never break!

My personal experience with Nikon customer service was a terrible one, bad enough that I will never buy another Nikon product again!
 
I only use binoculars when I`m hunting. And when I do I use The Steiner Safari II.
Not the best there is, but they are good enough.

Tor
 
mckrob said:
I have heard that as well, that Swarovski customer service and warranty are exemplary. I just hope my Leica's never break!

My personal experience with Nikon customer service was a terrible one, bad enough that I will never buy another Nikon product again!
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You make a good point about buying the binos that have a good fit and feel.
I personally liked the feel of the Leicas and the quality of the optics was difficult
for me to differentiate from the other two.

The selling point was probably when the Swarovski Rep took a new set of binos and to everyone's surprise, dropped them off a 2-story building on to the concrete below. Aside from minor abrasions on the armor, no apparent damage. With that demo and their service commitment, the decision was made.

GB
 
Zeiss customer service is also first class based on my experience with them.
 
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