Bino's

[kohana]

Hi All,

Currently looking to get some bino's and wondered what poeple would suggest.

My requirements are:

something I could use on the hill or woodland
Budget upto £1500
Basically something that would last a life time.

I thought either something from Leicas or Swarovski?

Kohana

 

[splash]

You have answered your own question ! Either of the two but don't go to big .

8x42 or as close to that is perfect, Both types you mention will last a life time, I have no experiance of Leicas asfter sale's BUT Swarovski's must be one of the best if not the best in the world !
I expect my two pairs to out last me and proberbly my son .

 

[Lawiswar]

Personally i think there's no substitute for going to a shop and looking down as many as you can. I've got some Swarovski el 8.5 x 42s. I have used a friends Zeiss victories and whilst there isn't an awful lot of difference I honestly think you can't beat the Swarovskis. They'll do me a lifetime and, if you've got the kind of luck I have, you might find a bargain on fleabay (but be careful not to get a stolen pair).

 

[User00004]

I have the 10x42 Swaro EL's, cracking, nice to the feel, robust. I would however if I was going to buy them again go for the 8.5's, the x10 can give a shake especially if you get the "Buck Fever" rush, (I still get it for does) or if you have just had to crawl/assend any increased heart activity.......

But in saying that, I wouldn't change them, but wouldn't go that mag again.

Another make to look at is the Minox range, I used them when my Swaro wre getting fixed (Another story). Very Very good glass, do a search on here and I'm sure you'll only fine positive comments. 8.5x48? might be 8.5x42? Cracking and at about £400 new.

TJ

 

[6pointer]

I have tried most bins in my time and would bye Lieca for me the easiest bins on the eye with the clearest of pictures mine are now 9 years old and clear as a bell.Believe me they get used and abused.

 

[RWC2010]

have a look at Zeiss also

 

[kohana]

Thanks for the advice will pop down the shop tomorrow and have look through a few, interested in looking at th swak 10x50 El

 

[splash]

No No and thrice NO !

Don't think the 10's will be better than the 8.5's because they arnt !!

You will get less field of view, More noticable shake .

Also 50's will be heavy 42's are bad enough on a long stalk.

 

[Lawiswar]

+1 on the 10s being a bad idea. I stalked with 10s for ages and couldn't see a damn thing. I never picked up deer with them I always saw them with the naked eye and just used the bins to confirm what I had seen. They shake too much and the field of view is too small. I would also be very surprised if you see much difference between 42s and 50s. I have a 56 objective on my Swarovski z6 scope and I don't find any noticeable difference over my 42 bins. When you take e weight into account I can't believe it's worth it. Having said that you're doing the right thing. Go , look, see what you like and ignore all of us if you look down the 10 x 50s and like them better than the rest. Just don't go for them automatically because the numbers suggest they should be best.

 

[Sika98k]

As others have suggested 8 or 8.5x42 is a good allrounder. I use a pair of Leicas bought on Fleabay.de for 500 euro. Best money spent.

 

[RED-DOT]

I made a big mistake by buying the Leica 15X56 Geovids.. too big and terrible with a lamp at night.. go for the Swaros in 8.5X42's and the finish is tougher and thier aftersales are legendary.

 

[roedeerred]

You have it all there best advice from users only thing I would add is if possible try some in poor light condions then get the ones you feel best with and enjoy

 

[oilmanjd]

I have the Swarovski EL 10 X 42 binos and what a piece of kit! Clarity is fantastic and as people have mentioned, customer service is legendary. I had to send mine away for some damage done on a stalk and Swaro came back with no charge....fantastic.
Pricey bits of kit....however, in my opinion...well worth it.

 

[User00004]

These could be worth a try-

Nothing to do with the seller-

>>GUMTREE<<

TJ

 

[JabaliHunter]

Its a real shame that the Swaro 10x50 doesn't have a wider field of view like some of the older 10x50s. I have the same dilemma at the moment

Swaro 8.5x42 - 399ft @100yds
Leica 8x42 - 389
Leica 8x50 - 352 (weird - would have expected bigger)
Leica 10x50 - 352
Swaro 10x50 - 345
Swaro 10x42 - 336ft
Leica 10x42 - 336

Really, I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion tat there is nothing much to separate them except brand loyalty!

 

[provider]

+1 again for the swaro 8.5 x 42. Great binos - lightweight,tough,easy on the eye and amazingly clear.

 

[Partridge]

These are all great 'top of the range' bino's but what would you lot recommend for someone on a tighter budget?

Surely there must be some of us out there looking for a set with a budget of nearer £500...

There's a massive assortment of makes and models... Minox, Nikon, Pentax all good camera optics - or is it just false economy buying bino's in that price bracket..?

ATB

Kris

 

[weeman]

I have got swarovski 7x42 slc's there the dogs dangles, despite all the good advice everyones eyes are different i have read some were that sciencetist reckon that the average eye's struggles with mag greater than 8mag, might be some thing to bare in mind. mind due with that last sentence i might be proved wrong. When i was seeking my first pair i went down to my local rspb nature reserve had a look at there selection an tryed a few pairs at dawn and dusk out in the fields. rspb do demo days for binnoculars and scopes days.

 

[JabaliHunter]

These are all great 'top of the range' bino's but what would you lot recommend for someone on a tighter budget?
Surely there must be some of us out there looking for a set with a budget of nearer £500...
There's a massive assortment of makes and models... Minox, Nikon, Pentax all good camera optics - or is it just false economy buying bino's in that price bracket..?
ATB
Kris

I would look at the old Nikon 10x42 SE - once considered to be the best binocular in the world..........

Nikon | Sport Optics | 8x32SE CF/10x42SE CF/12x50SE CF
Do a search and you'll find some rave reviews by some serious binocular freaks!

 

[straightbetweentheeyes]

These are all great 'top of the range' bino's but what would you lot recommend for someone on a tighter budget?

Surely there must be some of us out there looking for a set with a budget of nearer £500...

There's a massive assortment of makes and models... Minox, Nikon, Pentax all good camera optics - or is it just false economy buying bino's in that price bracket..?

ATB

Kris

i have a pair of leupold cascades 10x42 and am very impressed with them, paid 240 for them 18 months ago think they are around 320 now at uttings.. definately worth a butchers.
regards, Jez.