Binoculars - what to look at?

I was out with a friend who had a set of Leica bins, I think they may have been Geovids RF. I had a look through them to see what the rangefinder feature was like and I could not believe how poor they were for brightness and clarity compared to my Swarovski ELs.
I let my friend try my Swarovskis and he bought a set next week.
I must say I was really surprised that the Leicas were so inferior to the Swarovskis.
Perhaps the RF function was built into the lens housing / tubes instead of sitting separately in the bridge?
 
Some other things to consider as well;
Weight. A big old pair of 10x50s, even a set of 7x50s is going to be heavy. Could end up being a literal millstone round your neck.
Power. 10x power or higher is always more difficult to control - shake or wind buffet is magnified (this is why Marine binos are usually 7x50). Ideal, in my experience, is up to 8x for best compromise of image stability and ability to identify.
Don't discount 2nd hand - but be sure you get hands/eyes on to ensure the they are in good condition and give you the image you want. I got a 2nd hand pair of Steiner Rangers which are superb (though not as good as top tier Swarovski's - those are next level, but so is the price).
 
Some other things to consider as well;
Weight.
Power.
Don't discount 2nd hand
Yes, this is what I think about - weight is important, power is less than 10x to avoid shaky hands, therefore thinking 7x50 because I am getting old and my eye vision will get worse. And will get second-hand if I find what I want
Looks like not many regret buying Swarovski , though it is expensive. I used to work as a setting out engineer on construction sites - was surprised that Leica was not as good optically as much cheaper Japanese EDMs. I keep trying various binoculars while hunting - so far , I do not see a significant difference between Swarovski vs Helia, but they are definitely better than my Silva :)
 
I recently bought a Vortex Viper range finder and the glass is phenomenal. Blew my mind to be honest. I have Ziess Victory Ht and they are the best to my eyes that I have looked through.

If I was starting over I would buy Vortex viper as you are nearly £1500 better off

I also returned from stalking and the RF must have fallen out of the motor. I reversed over it - I needed to use tools to open the pouch - the RF still works !!!

I posted it on Instagram within one hour CSW got into h for my address to send a new pouch to and enquire that the RF was indeed ok

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Yes, I made a deal with my family that I will buy one in about 2 years from now. Thinking £4k for a gun, £4k for a scope, and want to start with thermal spotter and binoculars now

Crumbs, straight into the deep end! Fair play.
Off the top of my head I can’t think of many scopes that cost 4 grand, I think high end PMII’s are 3’ish new.

I’m happy with my vortex fury’s, I wanted the LRF option on the binos and was previously burnt by the limited swaro warranty and I couldn’t stretch to their EL LRF in any case. Side by side they don’t do badly. I must confess in woodland, early doors (where light gathering is most vital) I use thermal much more than bins so I’m not sure what the extra £1700 on swaro would buy me over the fury’s.

To me LRF makes more sense on binoculars. I generally only take binos to the hill where range is most critical, also for pinging steel plates etc when practicing which would be a faff with a TI.

If the LRF isn’t a priority and you want to make the most of your discount SLC’s are lovely. I had 7x50s and they were belting, I am on 10’s now however and do prefer them especially for the hill where you can utilise the extra. If you only do woodland stalking then 7/8x will be perfect.
 
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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
If you can comfortably afford Swarovski then go for it they are amazing.

Or, as you are mainly going guided stalking and can rely on the guide (who probably has a thermal) to spot the deer, buy vortex diamondback or above. Good price, great glass and an unbeatable warranty.

And yes, get a harness
 
If you can comfortably afford Swarovski then go for it they are amazing.

Or, as you are mainly going guided stalking and can rely on the guide (who probably has a thermal) to spot the deer, buy vortex diamondback or above. Good price, great glass and an unbeatable warranty
A
Some other things to consider as well;
Weight. A big old pair of 10x50s, even a set of 7x50s is going to be heavy. Could end up being a literal millstone round your neck.
Power. 10x power or higher is always more difficult to control - shake or wind buffet is magnified (this is why Marine binos are usually 7x50). Ideal, in my experience, is up to 8x for best compromise of image stability and ability to identify.
Don't discount 2nd hand - but be sure you get hands/eyes on to ensure the they are in good condition and give you the image you want. I got a 2nd hand pair of Steiner Rangers which are superb (though not as good as top tier Swarovski's - those are next level, but so is the price).
I use Steiner rangers and like them, optically though they aren’t much better than the diamondbacks I have
 
I am extremely happy with my Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42. The built quality is not as good as Leica or Swaro and the adjustment of the eyecups is a nightmare. BUT.... optically, it is a joy to use them. They are outstanding for the price. Super bright and contrasty.
 
Thank you. I bought Swarovski NL Pure 8x42 plus Pulsar Axion 2 XG35 thermal spotter. I feel I could get well with much cheaper kit, but so far no regrets - two outings, two shot deer, I can see and find the deer. The only thing I should have thought better is how to carry all of these items, plus IFAK, waterproof trousers and other usual items - I got Swarovski harness, but should have ordered chest bag for binoculars and other things. Thinking if I should use molle surplus army webbing as I can put pouches where I want
 
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
Binos an endless discussion point. As per other post go and look through some in a shop. The problem with shop/gamefair look through is it’s in full daylight and so the difference between the midrange and the high end Swarovsk/Zeiss is minimal, the high end stuff comes in to its own in low light. Also simple option buy high end second hand or pay full price for mid range, Other opinions will follow
 
I used to use a pair of Zeiss/Hensoldt 8x30s but I bought a pair of these for travelling the UK in 2022 and now they go everywhere with me.
They don't gather light as well as the larger objective binos, but boy are they clear and easy to carry.
They're NOT toys!
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Nikon Microns 7x15
Fits in my pocket and has a good field of view and depth of field, very clear and sharp.
$470au
 
Should you still be looking, I have an excellent set of Leica Ultravid 8x42's that are available. I also have a set of 7x42 but don't think the Mrs will part with them.
 
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