Binoculars

Ken, I'm another fan of Pentax and we almost never leave home without them in the car.

For Yellowstone you might consider a spotting scope/tripod, except for buffalo and elk everything else might be pretty far away. Maybe you could borrow one if you don't have it.

Great place, hope to go back in the next year or two.

Win
 
I live near a Cabela's and have looked thru everything. I've also owned Leica and many lesser brands. IMHO, Minox and Kahles are your best value. European optics are generally better than American and Japanese. Minox and Kahles are nearly as good as their more expensive European competition, and hundreds of dollars less. I think the Kahles are noticeably better than Minox, but I still bought the Minox because I wanted 7x, and Kahles doesn't make a 7x binocular.
 
There is one brand that I haven't seen mentioned here. Swift. Folks tend to turn their noses up at these, but they are still made in Japan and are excellent quality for the $$. They make a 8x42 roof prism binocular for about $160. The model # is 919. Their 8.5x44 Audubon is very highly rated, but it's closer to $300.

I would not buy anything more powerful them 8x. There was a time when 6x and 7x were the norm, but as with many things, Americans seem to think bigger is better. When it comes to binoculars, that is not necessarily true.

I 2nd Pentax. I have a 7x35 by them that I keep in my truck. They cost me about $35 (e-Bay) and the optics are very good.
 
I went through the search for the perfect binocular a couple of years ago. I went to several stores and checked out a WIDE range of stuff. I think the Nikon Monarch is among the best for the money. I've been very happy with mine.

Jeff
 
Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine binos can be had for $200 or less. I think they're one of the better buys in binos.
 
Minolta make some very good reasonably priced models. My yellow 7X50s I bought in 91, and after 12 years living aboard and boating the FL Keys and now 5 years in Iowa, still in excellent shape - my mainstay thought I do have some small folding Pentex I like to keep in the glove box of my car.
 
jds1 said:
I went through the search for the perfect binocular a couple of years ago. I went to several stores and checked out a WIDE range of stuff. I think the Nikon Monarch is among the best for the money. I've been very happy with mine.

Jeff
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Yup...The Nikon Monarch is a very good one for the money...The 8X42 would be a most excllent choice.
 
If you can, go to an optic store and handle and look through a bunch of binocs. This way you will know what you like almost immediately.
 
Purchase a decent set for yourself, and buy the kid their own crappy set?

It's not like they can tell the difference, so much, right?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I think they can tell the difference, but even so they're likely to be happier to have their own.
 
Bought Japanese made Leupolds at Walmart a couple years back for less than $200----not bad for price.

A pair of Leica's is still my holy grail.
 
I own a pair of Nikon Action EX's and absolutely love them, especially for the price. That being said, there was some sound advice here about the Leupold Yosemites. They're supposed to be excellent for the price and and they're designed to fit both children's and adults' IPD, so they're probably your best bet. These traditional shaped binocs (known as Poro prisms) are the best bang for the buck. For a cheaper price than the more modern roof prism models, you're going to get the fully coated optics that will provide you with a clearer sight picture. Expect to pay over $200 for roof prisms that have equivalent coatings.

How old are your children? Kohai and Cougar have sound advice - I bought a cheap $15 pair of collapsible binocs for my 4 year old, and although she can't see much out of them, all that really matters is that she has her own pair, as far as she's concerned.
 
Mostly off topic, but if you are into photos I hope you have a decent zoom for the camera. Otherwise hard to get a good picture of that elk, bear, wolf, etc.

My parents are there right now; they called me the other evening. They were watching a bear eat a bison.

Also if you have the time; take the Beartooth Pass into Red Lodge Montana. It is a winding road that has better views than Glacier Park's Going to the Sun Road. It also rises higher than the tree line...which should be a treat for the kids if they have never been that high. The drive might give you white knuckles if you are a low lander, but just remember to breath. :D
 
:thumbup:
For the money I think you are right on target. I have a pair of the Nikon 10X50 action binos seen here. They have NO downside. They have great clarity, wide field of view, excellent light gathering, and best of all I don't feel bad when I give them to my boys of 6, 9, or 11 when we go Eagle watching. The Euro Binoculars are much smaller and lighter with the same or better optics IMHO You are paying for the smaller and lighter package with marginally better optics. It becomes a matter of degrees. I am not chopping on any of the top end Binos they are clearly a better glass.
I have a pair of stieners I use for hunting. I love them but The kids don't even see them let alone touch them.
IMHO I wouldn't get the zoom because it is extremely difficult to hold anything over 12X steady. you would need a tripod and the quality usually decreases with the magnification as you zoom, but I think Nikon makes some great glass expecially when you factor in the price.
Best of luck with whatever you choose
trldad
 
I had Nikons, Leicas and Steiners

I like 8X30 as comfortable to carry, not to twtichy - that size and power works for me. It is like knives - get the right one for the purpose.

find one of the best ways of telling the difference is to look at stars at night.

Some here have had difficulty with Nikon - but they do come up well in most tests, as do Celeston.

Personally I would probably follow the Steiner Military suggestion - I'm guessing the 8X30, there are some good prices on ebay. You know they are tough and the "sports focus" means children do not have to work at focussing it all the time. I use those for my hunting very happily (actually the next model up but most of the features are the same). I won't let my children near the leica's and certainly won't drag them in the dirt out hunting
 
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