Binoculars - Advice please

[Rake Aboot]

How good as these for there size?

Awesome
I’ve used 10x32 dba for years and they are superb glass

 

[Brighty3006]

Swarovski. Simples!

 

[Nickb]

Swarovski simples

 

[.25-06]

Murphy appears to be selling what you require. Once you look through them it will help clear the decision process

 

[sy247]

Kahles are good in my experience. I'd probably still sooner buy used Swaro, Leica or Zeiss than anything 'lesser' new, usually a few in the Classified Optics section on here.

I wouldn't buy RF unless you need it, if the electrics go wrong the warranties are poor (apart from Vortex's.)

If you are mainly woodland stalking I would advise 8x over 10x.

I just bought a pair similar to these For Sale: - MINOX HG 8.5 x 43 Binoculars for an upcoming safari trip and have been very impressed with how light they are and the glass. They were £250 used. The glass is very nearly up there with my Swarvoski's I use (10x42 as as stalk on the hill.)

Spot on

 

[doric_prince]

I bought a pair of zeiss rf 10x42 last October. Really pleased with them. I Moved up from a pair of zeiss fl 8x32. Bigger, heavier but gave me more mag for the hills I stalk mainly on, plus I wanted rf. for your budget I would recommend a non rf zeiss. you might be lucky and find a new pair of zeiss ht 8x42 for just above your budget, which have excellent light transmission. The sf range (double bridge) is about an extra 1k over your budget.

Also worth considering if you don’t need the extra mag of a 10x, a 8x with the same size front optic with give you more light transmission.

 

[Basil H]

Going back to the OP, I would be wary of going above 42 mm objective size. It's not just weight - glasses of this size become very bulky. I used to use 10 x 56 Leicas in the boat but walking about with them on your chest made you realise how the big girls must feel.

 

[Tazz]

I have just bought a pair of Swaro CL10x25 from Macleods, I am very impressed with them, So much so they will be my go to bins now, I also own a pair of Swaro EL 10x42's but I will be taking my 10x25's with me everywhere now, very compact compared to the EL's and fit in the pocket nicely, They are still quite expensive but they should hopefully last a lifetime.

Interesting observation I have Swaro EL Ranges in 10x42 and I bought my partner a pair of Swaro CL Pockets with the double hinge other than in fading light it’s a very small difference between the two. However the EL still come out!!!

 

[palo]

I nice pair of 8x32s would be ideal especially when your carrying a thermal as well.

 

[Spear Chucker]

Going back to the OP, I would be wary of going above 42 mm objective size. It's not just weight - glasses of this size become very bulky. I used to use 10 x 56 Leicas in the boat but walking about with them on your chest made you realise how the big girls must feel.

Thank you. I think it is going to have to be 8x42 and Swaro/Zeiss. It seems the perfect combination of clarity, depth of field, quality of build, weight/size, warranty and European manufacture.

 

[VSS]

Thank you. I think it is going to have to be 8x42 and Swaro/Zeiss. It seems the perfect combination of clarity, depth of field, quality of build, weight/size, warranty and European manufacture.

Sounds sensible

 

[maximus otter]

Buy the Big Three (Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss, in alphabetical order…)

A study by Zeiss a few years ago found that viewers got most information from binoculars of 8-power. I wouldn’t buy 10X, especially if most of your stalking is in woodland; light gathering will be poorer, wobble worse, and you’ll spend too much time fiddling with focus due to lower depth of field.

If you’re not bothered about including a laser rangefinder, I’d consider taking a look at the websites of suppliers of birdwatching equipment as well. They usually have a good range of top-quality used optics. I have bought from In Focus in the past; in my area Cley Spy are also recommended.

My stalking bins are Swarovski EL Range 8 x 42, and l don’t see myself changing them.

maximus otter

 

[kieran222]

The range finder electronics are generally very reliable and accurate. I personally wouldn't buy bins without them. Great when using a 22 as the drops can be significant if you guess wrong.

 

[phillc]

It is quite a difference. Also just discovered that Kahles, GPO, Opticron are assembled in China.

I think the Kahles Hella binoculars are assembled in Japan. Some of their binoculars from the early 2000s were still made in Austria, but then they outsourced.

Their riflescopes are still manufactured in their Austrian factory. They’re part of the Swarovski group for some years now.

 

[west_meon]

As above, in very very good condition. Boxed and papers with them. Only selling as I want to go to 10x mag, 42 or 50 Objective.
Manufactured 2010.
Please pm for more pictures.
£950 ono posted to UK or swap for 10x mag of similar quality and condition binoculars.

Perhaps have a look at these, on sale on SD by tikka2506 in the Classified Optics? They have been price reduced still further.

 

[west_meon]

Sorry, the title didn't appear in the quote! They are Leica Ultravid HD 8x42.

 

[Basil H]

Just don't look through the new Swarovski Pures. Huge field of view, good to the edges, They will spoil you for anything else. Well they have me - and I can't justify the expense.

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

The op’s question is just like the old hat “which calibre” everyone has their opinion.

Some know through extensive use, some like to think they know because they have had them 5 minutes and are an optic expert and the rest have not got a scooby doo!

I fall into the “thrash the livingdaylights out of it, get repaired on the warranty thrash them again, repeat twice more” that’s where I get my opinion from!

After 16 years of mud and blood and all weathers with a bombproof 30 year warranty.

Say no more

 

[Spear Chucker]

Just don't look through the new Swarovski Pures. Huge field of view, good to the edges, They will spoil you for anything else. Well they have me - and I can't justify the expense.

I was asked to stay with some friends. They have cartloads of money. She earns it, he spends it. Couldn't get away quick enough, but while we were there I noticed on the garden table, sitting in the rain unloved and as if they were just a cheap pair of children's toy binoculars, a pair of Swarovski rangefinder binos. Needless to say I couldn't resist a little peek. I looked out over the water at ships, yachts and houses opposite. I think at the time they were all of £3000 new.
They ruined me. I have remembered my amazement at their quality. I have never looked through anything like them before or since. I took them inside and put them on a safe surface. a couple of hours later, the 12 yr old was spinning around in circles with them just holding the strap. Had to have a drink after that.

 

[Spear Chucker]

The op’s question is just like the old hat “which calibre” everyone has their opinion.

Some know through extensive use, some like to think they know because they have had them 5 minutes and are an optic expert and the rest have not got a scooby doo!

I fall into the “thrash the livingdaylights out of it, get repaired on the warranty thrash them again, repeat twice more” that’s where I get my opinion from!

After 16 years of mud and blood and all weathers with a bombproof 30 year warranty.

Say no more

Wow!! Really Hammered! If they can survive that, they must be bomb proof! They look worse than I do!