jim from accy
Well-Known Member
Bought a pair of Steiner 8x42 Ranger a while back, can't compare them to any top end optics because never used Swaro/ Zeiss, but i like them and they perform well in low light.
Alternative for Swarovski and Zeiss binoculars.
- Thread starter Roch
- Start date
I have just bought a pair of Swaro SLC 7 x 42's to replace the Opticrons that preceded them, as a result of having abused the Opticrons for about five years to the extent that it was very difficult to see through them anywhere near the sun as a result of my having scratched the objectives rather badly. (and I had the money 
- don't tell SWMBO).
To be honest there is very little between them - the Opticrons see just as well in the dark as the Swaros and if anything are lighter - and they are half the price.
A bit more difficult to get hold of - I think I got mine from Pennine Cameras - not sure if they still have them?
I also used to have a pair of Bushnells - there you really do see the difference once the light goes and the faults in the lenses appear.
I would also endorse in spades the comment about Hawke optics - I bought a telescope - a total waste of (admittedly very little) money.
- don't tell SWMBO).To be honest there is very little between them - the Opticrons see just as well in the dark as the Swaros and if anything are lighter - and they are half the price.
A bit more difficult to get hold of - I think I got mine from Pennine Cameras - not sure if they still have them?
I also used to have a pair of Bushnells - there you really do see the difference once the light goes and the faults in the lenses appear.
I would also endorse in spades the comment about Hawke optics - I bought a telescope - a total waste of (admittedly very little) money.
barneyrubble
Member
Just bought a pair of minox 8x43 HG for £600 and am impressed, very bright image. Looked at zeiss and swarovski and couldn't really tell any difference. Only weight 650g, so about a third lighter than swaro 7x42 slc. Well worth a look.
devilishdave
Well-Known Member
New Swaro 7x42 at uttings for £799
http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Product/232/101298/swarovski-7x42-slc-binoculars-swslc742g/
Dave
http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Product/232/101298/swarovski-7x42-slc-binoculars-swslc742g/
Dave
Hornet 6
Well-Known Member
Nobody ever mentions Meopta meopro's
Even on e-bay they are available within the OP's budget.
Neil.
Well now i own a pair at last, more than happy with them, and better than all the rest I have looked through except the top end stuff.
That said they are as good as the Leica Trinovids which I did own a while back in 8x32, the new Meopro's are in 10x32 and still a brighter picture than the old Trinovids.
Neil.
Excellent suggestion.
Last week my partner bought a pair in 10x42 for birdwatching and we are very very impressed with them. Compact and lightweight too.
She had been researching the options since before Christmas, tried out all the high end competitors (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski etc.) at Cley Spy over several visits, and we returned last week to their new shop, intending to buy a pair of of the Swarovski SLC HD 10x42 (£1455) for her birthday.
By the way, she preferred the SLC HD over the EL (Swarovision), irrespective of price.
When we entered the shop the salesman recognised us and came straight over with a pair of the brand new Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 and asked her to compare them with the Swarovski SLC HD, EL and Leica Trinovid.
After about an hour we both agreed that the Zeiss was as good as the SLC and nicer than the Trinovids to our eyes. I didn't voice my own opinion until she had already made up her own mind.
Then he told us the price, £750. We couldn't believe it, and the deal was done.
By the way, the entry level Swarovski CL companions only come in 30mm size, and are not in the same league, despite costing at least £70 more.
We also looked at the Minox HG and Meostar B1 HD which cost at least as much as the Zeiss, and were not quite as good optically and heavier, nevermind considering future resale/trade in value compared with the Zeiss brand name.
By the way Leica Trinovids used to be made for Leica by Meopta, and the Meostars are allegedly optically very similar
Cley Spy are a superb shop with expert staff, a full range of makes, always receive the first new products, are located with ideal views for testing optics, and will at least match the best prices anywhere else. Well worth a journey.
These are now widely available under £200.00 which seems pretty good value for ED glass :
http://www.fotosense.co.uk/vanguard-spirit-ed-10x42-binocular.html
http://www.fotosense.co.uk/vanguard-spirit-ed-8x42-binocular.html
Limited lifetime warranty and a handy 600g make these attractive, despite the fussy strap. S
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
a very experienced stalker friend of mine uses 7x50 fujinons and has done for a very long time they are very good opticaly and are focus free ok there a little on the heavy side but there not that bad
shbangsteve
Well-Known Member
high end Opticrons. Try to compare them against a Swaro or Zeiss .I doubt you'll see a difference.
Cut+Squirt
Well-Known Member
Agreed, its only at VERY last light you will notice any difference.
And at very first light
And when you have a warranty claim
And when you come to re-sell them
Performance at very first light might not make much difference if you're out for a traditional day on the hill, but it makes a big difference if you're in woodland. Similarly, performance when looking from outside a wood standing in bright sunlight looking into a dark wood is a good test, as is trying to pick up detail when what your observing is backlit by strong sunlight.
Buy and use whichever binoculars are right for you, but if we're discussing performance and cost then it's important to understand the reasons why expensive binoculars are expensive. The difference in cost isn't all down to their big marketing budgets that have to be paid for!
Consider buying good glass secondhand. Macleod's has already been mentioned but Ace Optics also have a good name.
Binoculars - Optics: Secondhand & Used At Ace Cameras
(For me the pick would be the Zeiss BGAT T*P*)
Kay Optical is another:
http://www.kayoptical.co.uk/cat.asp?cat=Binoculars&catid=1
London Camera Exchange (LCE) would be a third.
willie_gunn
Last edited:
I have used both macleods and ace cameras and were delighted with both for service and knowledge.
I recently sold some vortex viper hd which are in this price bracket, lifetime warranty and excellent glass that would have been good enough for me at first and last light. At the game fair I got the chance of a pair of Ziess conquest hd at a good price and could not resist. When compared to my mates Swaro s l c they performed better for light gathering and clarity for us both. These were also around your price bracket
I recently sold some vortex viper hd which are in this price bracket, lifetime warranty and excellent glass that would have been good enough for me at first and last light. At the game fair I got the chance of a pair of Ziess conquest hd at a good price and could not resist. When compared to my mates Swaro s l c they performed better for light gathering and clarity for us both. These were also around your price bracket
devon deer stalker
Well-Known Member
Totally agree with you there, and the last few minutes can make all the difference, from shooting a Roe Buck or Roe Doe for example, so don't take the chance, i have the Minox HG's and they are awesome.
Cheers
Richard
Cut+Squirt
Well-Known Member
Your absolutely right Willie, but when your talking about upwards of £1700.00 quid of a difference in price between the top glass and the Opticrons we are talking about, you can see why many, me included went for the cheaper option.
Ive tried the best glass money can buy, top of the range Swaro's and Zeiss and there just isn't £1700 quids difference between them both. . . . thats 5 years worth stalking to me.
Cadex
It's very hard to disagree with that point of view.....but I'll give it a try
If we're talking high end then a pair of Swaro 8.5x42 EL's will set you back £1710 or a pair of SLC 8x42's is £1180, whereas a pair of Opticron Aurora BGA's is £799 and DBA's £629 (Ace Optics and Opticron website).
Not quite £1,700 difference but still a heck of a lot of money. As you say, that pays for a lot of stalking!
That's why I'd suggested secondhand. Those Zeiss BGAT's at £599 will give a lifetime of service, will match up against all but the very best new glasses and will still be worth £400 of anyone's money when you come to sell them. What's not to like?
I have had a pair of Swaro 8.5x42's for what must be 10 years and I wouldn't part with them, but my "go to" pair is a set of Leica 8x42's that I bought secondhand from someone on the site for, I think, £400. Yes, still a lot of money, but they are great binos and I honestly can't tell the difference in performance between them and the Swaro's.
I'm no Kit Bigot when it comes to binos, but if I had my time again my first and perhaps only purchase would be a secondhand pair of Zeiss or Swaros, probably the latter.
The above are just my thoughts - not saying they're right, not saying they're wrong - as there are few decisions so personal when it comes to stalking as choice of glass.
willie_gunn
Last edited:
Back to those on a budget there's an updated review of the Vanguard Spirit ED binoculars here, for the 8x42s :
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Vanguard8x42SpiritED-77.htm
The comparison with both the Minox HGs and Leica Ultravid HDs is very favourable considering the enormous retail price differential. S
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Vanguard8x42SpiritED-77.htm
The comparison with both the Minox HGs and Leica Ultravid HDs is very favourable considering the enormous retail price differential. S
bewsher500
Well-Known Member
I did a review on these and whilst mine cost me £50 and are bang on for the money they are not a patch on the Leica Ultravids that i had in any way (and the HD Ultravids are widely regarded as marketing hype over the standard ones at half the price)
but you pays your money and takes your choice.
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co....-Vanguard-LDT-842OP?highlight=vanguard+review
They look pretty good.
The birdwatchers seem to like them (Vanguard Spirit 8x42 binocular | Reviews | Birdwatch Magazine) though the other reviews are a bit mixed - the detail to the edge and chromatic aberration seem the main criticisms.
But for £200 (Vanguard Spirit ED 8x42 Binoculars (VGOSPIED842 ) - Wex Photographic
) that's nit-picking.
willie_gunn
The birdwatchers seem to like them (Vanguard Spirit 8x42 binocular | Reviews | Birdwatch Magazine) though the other reviews are a bit mixed - the detail to the edge and chromatic aberration seem the main criticisms.
But for £200 (Vanguard Spirit ED 8x42 Binoculars (VGOSPIED842 ) - Wex Photographic
) that's nit-picking.
willie_gunn
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