Binos

[Stephenbuck2489]

Good day to all..
Now. As a new up and coming stalker still collecting gear before i can venture out alone.
One thing ive searched and searched for are binoculars, not reqlly knowing where to start its a VERY large web to get dragged into with litterally thousands of options. One thing im well aware of is (you get what you pay for) with an ever growing family, as much as id love the top range Swarovski optics that is just out the question, i also know that buying cheap also bites you in the arse. So my question is. Whats everyone using, whats a fair stalking bino and what sort of price should i aim at. I did think something around the £300 range was kind of mid range? Look forward to hear some opinions, thanks. Stephen

 

[paul dillon]

Hi Steve,

Take a look at the Uttings site search binos there are some reasonably priced ones on there look for 8 x or 10 X 42 it may give you an idea of what your looking for

Paul

 

[Flash G 74]

Hello, Good question, Although i am not a Stalker i presume your need some good glass for dusk and dawn , but saying this i have bought Binos second hand like German and Japanese which are excellent, My last new buy was a Hawke monocular and they are very good to, 8 X 50 ED, Last S/H Japanese 8 X 40 cost £10

 

[Will the chippy]

Vortex diamond back

 

[west_meon]

Have a look on the classifieds on this site, and places like R Macleod & Son for second hand binos, especially the upper range brands. Don't be too worried about going for an older pair, as if they are Swaro/Leica/Zeiss etc, then a) they will probably have been looked after and b) you can send them back for a full service and refurb. You are right - you definitely do get what you pay for. Vortex have a good name on here, as they have lifetime warranties if bought new and quality seems to be getting towards that of the top brands. It all depends on budget, but get the best you can sensibly afford. Also see if you can try out whatever other stalkers are using, in terms of brands, mag and size/weight.

 

[Flash G 74]

Vortex diamond back

Hello, They look good and in Budget

 

[Stephenbuck2489]

Hello, Good question, Although i am not a Stalker i presume your need some good glass for dusk and dawn , but saying this i have bought Binos second hand like German and Japanese which are excellent, My last new buy was a Hawke monocular and they are very good to, 8 X 50 ED, Last S/H Japanese 8 X 40 cost £10

Sounds like a bargain!

 

[Sandy25]

I was in exactly the same boat as yourself - looking for a mid range pair of binos. Ended up buying a set of Hawke 8 x 42 HDX 's for around £280 from memory. Can't fault them, great for stalking as not too heavy or bulky and are good enough in low light for IDing deer. Not as good as Swaros, but then nowhere near the same money!

Regards,

Sandy

 

[nun_hunter]

I've got some Vortex Diamondback 8x42s that are about 10 years old anniversary never felt the need to upgrade them. I tried some Vortex Razor HDs for a while but found that they made it harder for my eyes to scan longer. The image was a bit sharper with better contrast but didn't actually make it easier to spot deer. Reading signs was easier but that was about it

The Vortex VIP warranty is simply superb with anything being replaced even if it's your fault. There was a thread on here last week with numerous replies from people recently sending items back to Swarovski for repair and having to pay so it seems their customer service is taking a bit if a hit recently.

 

[bogtrotter]

Another vote for Vortex.

 

[lochty]

Look for a second hand pair of swarovski cl 8x30.

 

[rob_walsh]

Vortex diamondback for me. The quality at that price is brilliant and the warranty is second to none!

 

[User00056]

I started with a wee pair of Bushnell 8 x 32 which served me well for a couple of years. I then bought Bushnell Excursion 10 x 42 for around the £100 mark and found them great. I now use Zeiss Terra 10 x 42 and find them superb.

 

[Flash G 74]

Sounds like a bargain!

Hello, It was, over the last summer i have bought 5 pairs of good binoculars from Oxford market with a nice pair of Bushnell 10x25 , I just cannot resist buying but there is always someone want some binoculars for shooting

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve got a set of the Vortex Diamondback 8x42. Have used them on a few outings now, am not disappointed, they are brilliant for the price.

 

[Freeforester]

If you're looking to stalk deer at dawn and dusk, and possibly in woodland situations, this is where the quality of glass of top drawer marques, the best being (in no particular order) Leica, Swarovski & Zeiss, literally outshine the rest. If at all possible, try to find someone in your area with some of these marques, and arrange to look through them at stalking times, and also compare them with the other brands.

Most modern brands are of reasonable quality when used in daylight, so there is little to learn then, but at the start and end of the day, coincidentally when many deer species are active, the difference is indeed 'clear'.

Don't discount 7x magnification for woodland stalking either, as they have a great depth of field in focus along with a wider field of view, which both aid the picking up of movement, and can be held steadily and used for extended periods without straining one's vision, which is not always the case with binoculars of greater magnification. Again, try to physically check the difference for yourself in order to determine which magnification suit your own preference and needs best.

I'd be pleasantly surprised were I able to find top-drawer and well cared for used glasses for your suggested budget, another couple hundred puts you in reach of pre-loved 'lifetime keeper' binoculars, usually of the kind that have cost substantially more when first bought. They should not depreciate much below this figure either, whereas mid range glasses of the budget will never attain the optical excellence of a well cared for pair of the top brands, so never make the mistake of looking through what you may pass up in preference to what you May settle for, it will almost certainly unsettle you somewhat. If your budget is strictly set as indicated, I'd also take a look through a good condition pair of Zeiss Jena (East German) binoculars, which have superb lens quality and coatings albeit in an older porro prism design housing, and are often to be found well within your suggested budget. Again, try these against the rest, and at the times of day you expect to be deer stalking, if at all possible.

The best bang for your buck will deliver the best viewing experience - if it is this that you seek - at the times of intended use.

 

[Jh1986]

I found that my entry level pair, akin to your Vortex Diamondbacks, will allow me to see past what I can see to shoot with my decent GPO scope.

Can't see myself wanting to upgrade if I can't shoot it anyway.

I'm eyeing up some Habroks though, just to lighten the load

 

[Koenig]

For someone starting out Vortex Diamondbacks in either 8x42 or 10x42 would likely be your best option. You won’t incur the wrath of the wife for blowing £1000 upwards and if you want to upgrade later on you can always sell them without taking too much of a hit. The warranty is simply superior to anything else on the market and most importantly there actually really good binos. I had a pair for 12 years before feeling the need to buy something more expensive. If you can make the leap to Vortex Vipers they really are worth the extra outlay. Vortex products are much cheaper in the US if you know anyone travelling there, and the warranty is unaltered if something goes wrong.

 

[baguio]

2nd hand Leica binos can sometimes be found for reasonable money and will outperform any brand new binos of similar money. They’re also bomb proof. I have a pair of 7x42bns and can’t tell them apart at last light to my Swarovski TAs.

 

[Cyres]

Earlier this year my friend who is a retired vet asked me for my opinion on a new set of bins for sailing and general nature watching. I suggested Vortex and duly he went and looked at some. He thought the vipers were excellent but we're OTT for his needs so he purchased the Diamond backs. He is v pleased with them.
The issue with top end bins is you need a scope to match.
Case in point decades ago shooting rats on a duck pond. On the other side thick brambles and vegetation. I could see the rats with my Geovids but could not see them with the scope on my air rifle.
Also years ago pre thermal again spotted a fox coming across a wheat field with Geovids but couldn't see it with a Leupold Mk 4! Next night shot it with Zeiss Diavari on my .243.
D