help picking binoculars

Apparently the WPs have been discontinued, and the "ones to get" from Pentax are the SP. I've been thinking of getting some higher end binos in the near future, and reading all the reviews I can find.
Here's one of the Pentax DCF SP series from www.optics4birding which sound great, though the Steiner Peregrines have also caught my eye.
I found online prices in the low to mid $400s for the Pentax 8 or 10x43, while the Steiners are generally close to $800, though. Both are very tempting, based on the linked reviews, and others I found (google for them).
If the "experts" put them right up there with the comparable Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss glasses, I doubt I'll be able to tell a difference either.
Before spending the money, I'll be doing side by side comparisons of all the brands I've mentioned, but I have to drive 80-90 miles to make that happen. Luckily, there's no hurry.

[edit:To tell the truth, I'm most interested in Steiner's 8x56 Nighthunters, as light-gathering is the only thing I feel like I'm missing out on with my good old 8x30 Military/Marines, and don't really feel a need for a direct replacement for them.]

For some reason, I'm finding binos as fascinating as I do flashlights and knives. Not a good thing. Not a cheap thing, anyway :D
 
I have the same Pentax as Jason and really like them. 8x42 seems to be great for wildlife viewing. I also have an older pair of Steiners which have served me well but that was on my boat, no experience with there newer models.

I just purchased a Pentax spotting scope nad it seems great. I only used it once and so far seems like a lot of scope for the money. I used "BVD" as a guide as well.

Win
 
I can highly recommend the Zeiss Classic line. I have some 10x40s and they are flat out awesome. Built like a tank they're one of the reference standards in the bird watching community. They're the best buy in a high end set of glasses IMHO. You can get them from Cabelas for $699.00 which is not cheap in and of itself, but the new Zeiss Victory models which Zeiss introduced to replace the Classics are over $1300.00 for the same size! I'm not sure if they re-introduced the Classics at a lower price because all the tooling and R&D had been paid off years ago, or if they're just at close-out prices. The comparable Leicas and Swarovskis are even more than the Victory series. These are world class fully multicoated, phase coated with BAK 4 prisms and will last a lifetime. The also look cool. I almost bought a set of the Pentax 8x42 DFC WPs and they are great glasses, but when I found the deal on the Zeiss Classics I just couldn't resist and have never regretted spending the extra couple hundred dollars.

John
 
Thanks guys!

Just got home from a few days of camping,don't have time to read everthing posted yet.

Will take a close look( no pun intended) at the Predator.
 
For your price range the Nikon 8x36 Sporter I is the best value. Eagleoptics has them for $169.
 
I have 3 pairs of Optolyth 7 X50's. I hunt whitetail deer, turkeys, coyotes, etc. Optolyth is relatively unknown in the USA, but is very popular in Europe.

They have Zeiss quality for about half the price.

Check 'em out.
 
Thanks to all!

Speical thanks to owenm and pwork,two guys who's views I always respect and often agree with.

I got Steiner military/marine 10x30. Feel good in the hand,work with my glasses(which I wear when bowhunting) right size and weight.They do everything I want a pair to do. :)
 
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