Binoculars - what to look at?

[muddy42]

I like to buy slightly older German binos second hand - Leica/swarovski etc.
10x is good for the hill and looking at deer at long distance, but I find I need to steady them on elbows/sticks.
7x or 8x is better for freehand holding and woodland stalking.
8x42 is pretty much perfect.

 

[pendle]

Ring round the dealer's as some do referbished Swarovski. Ex demo . I got a set of slc's with Swarovski warranty

 

[Leec6.5]

Best bang for the buck and best warranty is Vortex.

Another vote for vortex bombproof lifetime guarantee, I bought a set of the basic ones for the life of me. I can’t remember what they called, I think they were like £240ish and they’re my spares well worth the investment and punch well above their weight.

 

[Spix]

I suspect my experience is likely to improve if I get something more decent

In case you wish to match a Leupold scope :

https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co...32-hd-binoculars-£650-00.252339/#post-2581529

 

[willie_gunn]

I like to buy slightly older German binos second hand - Leica/swarovski etc.

Ahem.....

 

[long_range_rob]

A second hand pair of Swarovski is better than a new vortex IMO. Remember you’ll be using them more than any other bit of kit. I have 8x30SLC’s that are truly excellent and 8.5x42 Range MK1 that are even better. If you’re not able to fund it straight off then get a 0% credit card and do it that way, you won’t regret it.

 

[Omega]

It looks like Swarovski is a good option . Another question. There are quite a lot of Swarovski binoculars, some seem to be similarly priced to Vortex. There is a good chance I will start hunting other game with time. What features would you recommend to have on binoculars, for example, changing magnification? I planning to buy Pulsar Axion 2 XG35, either with range finder or without, thinking where the range finder should be on thermal or binoculars... Feel binoculars are likely to last much longer, so don't mind spending more on them than on thermal spotter. Thanks again

 

[Heym SR20]

Don’t waste money on rangefinding binoculars.

Instead spend your money on a really good pair of 7 or 8 x42 from Swarovski or Leica. Or if you can find zeiss 7x42 BGAT*.

If you budget is tight then go for an 7 or 8x32 by the same. You will loose very little.

Then spend you spare cash on a rifle and a scope.

Mrs Heym bought me a pair of 7x42 BGAT* at the end of the last century as a wedding present. They have used but not abused and still have no need to change.

 

[willie_gunn]

It looks like Swarovski is a good option . Another question. There are quite a lot of Swarovski binoculars, some seem to be similarly priced to Vortex. There is a good chance I will start hunting other game with time. What features would you recommend to have on binoculars, for example, changing magnification? I planning to buy Pulsar Axion 2 XG35, either with range finder or without, thinking where the range finder should be on thermal or binoculars... Feel binoculars are likely to last much longer, so don't mind spending more on them than on thermal spotter. Thanks again

You haven't really explained what kind of stalking you expect to be mostly doing, so it's difficult to suggest what features you might need.

For example with woodland stalking I doubt you'll need range-finding capabilities. I have a separate range-finder but I gave up taking it stalking years ago, as nearly everything I shoot is under 200 yards max. However the land I stalk on pretty much precludes shooting anything over that distance anyway, whether for reasons of housing, amenity use, livestock, etc. I used to take the range-finder up to Scotland for stalking on the Hill, where conditions can be very different.

Don't worry about zoom/changing magnification. Stick to 7x, 8x, 8.5x or 10x as standard magnification and you won't go far wrong. Again, for woodland stalking, I'd say either 8x or 8.5x is about ideal. I don't think the top manufacturers offer a zoom function on their hunting binos these days anyway.

Features that you might come across include the coatings - for example Swarovski have offered a variety of optical coatings over the years (Swarotop, Swarodur, Swaroclean, Swarobright, etc). I can't tell you what the coatings are on mine, as I don't really care to find out! I am not sure it makes a significant difference - just look for a pair of binos in good condition and (ideally) under 20 years old. Then you get the security of the remaining warranty.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Vortex Crossfire or if you want a bit more, vortex Diamond back.
Played with a ZEISS Terra binos and the diamondback were every bit as good with their HD glass. Cant fault them. Heck the crossfires gave them a run for their money!

I now own, crossfire 8*42 and Diamondback 10*50s and wouldn't want anything else

 

[JockStalk]

If it’s not mostly open hill and you are using a thermal I’d suggest 8x30 as they are a lot less to drag about. Used swaros or new if you have the budget. Sorted.
if on the hill 10x42

 

[muddy42]

I didn't know binos could zoom now. Bet they costs a bomb.

 

[mallettn]

As other people have said it depends on your stalking. I now shoot mainly fallow and most are early light. So find heat signatures with cheap wide FOV thermal, identification with good quality low light bins and then press button to range as can be very tricky to assess at first light. I don't want to be carrying a separate range finder along with thermal and binos so range finding binos a real benefit.
What do I have is pretty irrelevant as you need to work out what you need / want. But for the record I moved from Swaroski scope and binos to Leica. The binos also have a ballistic calculator that calculates clicks on scope for longer shots, I confess that I have only used that once on deer in Scotland but have used for some long range practice sessions. But for me the low light performance and built-in range finder are fantastic and I love using them.

 

[Overlay]

Hi,
I currently use very cheap (£20) compact Silva (Swedish compass company) binoculars for deer hunting and wonder if I should upgrade. So far, I would say I suspect my experience is likely to improve if I get something more decent, but do not know what I should get
My club offers me 20% off any Swarovski binoculars and I wonder if I should but one. I currently do 1 every 1-2 months deer hunt, but probably will increase stalking in the next 2-3 years. I read several years ago that Japanese optics got some technological breakthrough. Should I buy Swarovski or get something cheaper? I only can get 20% off from Swarovski range, so will pay full price from any other brand. I was previously recommended going for 7X50 binoculars, but not sure if I need going for this now as I will have thermal spotter. Getting closer to 50s, so my eyes are not fantastic. Do not think I want 10X for stability, but not sure if military style 8x35 is good enough for me (I wanted Swiss Army Leica from 70s for a long time, remember them selling quite cheap 15 years ago on eBay, but do not know if they worth buying for hunting as the technology might have moved)
And should I get as well harness, binoculars with range finder or keep range finder on thermal spotter?
Many thanks

I had the same predicament many many years ago after using ancient zeiss for years which I thought were the db”s I had a look through a pair of swaros 8x56 and OMG what a difference the old saying when stalking look for something different, I plumped for the 10 x 42 swaros and you find exactly that, a definite game changer, last year I put them in for a service and a eyepiece replacement that came back as and performed as new all them years old and they still find em, best investment I made without a doubt, some times think should I have gone for the 8 x as 10 x need a support of your stick in very windy conditions sometimes I’ve had them many many years and still like to use them because they work, by once cry once with binos, i have a pair of leupold gold ring 8 x 36 as a spare and they are pretty good, i always think i’ve been lucky buying them as a first buy and got it right first time for a change
I think the best bit is looking through threes and bushes instead of at them, they focus were you want to be.


good luck and choose well

phil

 

[Leec6.5]

Vortex Crossfire or if you want a bit more, vortex Diamond back.
Played with a ZEISS Terra binos and the diamondback were every bit as good with their HD glass. Cant fault them. Heck the crossfires gave them a run for their money!

I now own, crossfire 8*42 and Diamondback 10*50s and wouldn't want anything else

Thats the bugger Diamondbacks!

Thank you kindly, thats been crazing my arse since i posted.

 

[Leec6.5]

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[sh1kar]

Second-Hand Binoculars | R. Macleod & Son

High-quality and efficient Second Hand-Binoculars available from R. Macleod & Son. Click the link for more information.

rmacleod.co.uk

 

[willie_gunn]

Second-Hand Binoculars | R. Macleod & Son

High-quality and efficient Second Hand-Binoculars available from R. Macleod & Son. Click the link for more information.

rmacleod.co.uk

Those SLC Swaros with their original box look nice!

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[Jh1986]

Was set on buying myself some Vortex Diamondback 8x42, right up until I tried some Svbony SV202 HD 8x42. They were the same, only cheaper again. Hits all the same spec details, and optically the same.

Just because they're Chinese, doesn't make them bad. They're a big name in astronomy lenses and they also do a lot of spotting scopes.

I couldn't be happier with mine

 

[sy247]

I had Vortex Viper 8x42 HD for years. They are excellent binoculars, the warranty is amazing (as I have just discovered after I damaged them and they were fixed and returned in a couple of days). I bought some secondhand Swarowski 8x42 EL Range. They are better optically and the laser range finder is useful. They are heavier, and cost a lot more money. You won't go wrong with either. Leica are also very good.

What scope do you have on your rifle?