First Binoculars

[Pete_Cambs]

Long time lurker here. Looking to get into Stalking in 2020 and thought it would be a good excuse to treat myself to some binoculars as I've wanted some for ages for use out on hikes / camping.

Budget I'd say is £600 and I'd prefer new unless it's second hand and local as I am not a fan of buying used optics unseen.

The compromise I need is I want something that is easy to carry on day hikes so am limiting myself to a 33mm objective. Appreciate these won't be optimised for stalking but I need something that's a good all rounder for a few years.

Models I've looked at and can find in budget.

Swaro CL 8x30 - these are the first generation ones and seem to draw some criticism in reviews.

Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32

Minox HG 8x33

Would love input on these models plus any other suggestions.

Cheers
Pete

 

[mereside]

Hi pete for my eyes the minox beat the Zeiss hands down I have had both pairs and still have the Zeiss, I was talked into getting them after my minox took a heavy impact and broke, the zeiss are good don't get me wrong but the minox have a better color and in low light and especially wet or misty weather they are much better to me, I cant talk about the swaro but if I where to buy another pair of bins it would be minox, one slight point for the minox is you have a smaller depth of field so you do adjust more but that's the only thing I can say,regards wayne

 

[Muir]

I bought a set of Vortex Diamond back and are very pleased with them. -5F to +100F, snow and rain. No problems. Should they fall victim to some mishap, I'm only out $225 US.~Muir

 

[caorach]

One thing I will say if you are just starting out and are looking to do your first stalks etc. is that your money is better spent on going stalking than on buying gear, assuming you are on a budget like most of us.

You'd get a pair of the Minox 8X33 BV binos for less than £200 and that would leave you with an extra £400 towards your stalking budget. You'll still have a decent pair of binos that will be adequate for your task.

Again I'm making a lot of assumptions here but if you are just starting out you will likely be taking "paid" days with a pro stalker who will be well set up with binos etc. so in the very lowest of light you'll still have someone looking out for you (and if you compare your Minox to some of the big name offerings you might find that you suffer no real lowlight disadvantage anyhow) and your £400 would pay for quite a few outings for female cull deer.

 

[Roestalker39]

I really rate minox for the money

 

[lochty]

Check www.rmacleod.co.uk he will certainly have Swarovski within your budget

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Check www.rmacleod.co.uk he will certainly have Swarovski within your budget

This is where I have seen the CLs but I'm assuming they are the first gen and not the newer ones.
Been to local retailer today and looked through some Zeiss Conquest and thought they were ok.... Looked through some cheaper Opticron and Steiner and now really understand where the money goes on expensive glass. Also looked through the latest generation of Swaro CLs and they are really stunning..... Wondering if I wait and save.

On terms of my situation, yea I'll be doing guided stalks this year but the binos are a general purchase - I want them for hikes and camping which I already do a lot of.

 

[User00035]

Hi pete for my eyes the minox beat the Zeiss hands down I have had both pairs and still have the Zeiss, I was talked into getting them after my minox took a heavy impact and broke, the zeiss are good don't get me wrong but the minox have a better color and in low light and especially wet or misty weather they are much better to me, I cant talk about the swaro but if I where to buy another pair of bins it would be minox, one slight point for the minox is you have a smaller depth of field so you do adjust more but that's the only thing I can say,regards wayne

It's very subjective. I find the exact opposite. My eyes prefer the colour balance of Zeiss to Minox and to me they seems brighter. It's very definitely not the same for everyone so essential really to try before you buy and choose something that matches your eyes.
The good news is that this is the perfect time of year to go buying optics because it's dark before the shops have shut, so go shopping late afternoon and try a few pairs out on low light. All new glass looks great in the sunshine. 4 o'clock in the afternoon on a murky day in the middle of winter soon sorts the wheat from the chaff.

 

[FISH BOY]

8x32 Meopta HD worth a look at half your budget.

Really like mine when I don’t need to lug around rangefinder bins.

 

[User00040]

Depending on where you are based, I would really advise against 30mm objectives.

Had a pair of swaro CL 8x30, they are fine as bird watching binoculars but the oculars (lens that you look into) are too small for hill stalking.

They mist up instantly if the weather is cold and you are breathing heavily. Light transmission (not gathering!!! mis-use of this term is on par with calling bullets 'heads'!) through the objective lenses is also limited by size.

Get a pair of 8x42 or 10x42 and you can't go wrong. Worth travelling to try out a range of bino's as well, the ergonomics matter a lot more than ultimate glass performance, if you can't hold them steady, you will get a crap image anyway.

And another thing, get a proper 'full capture' harness. Unless you are shooting out of a highseat 100% of the time, something will happen where they get dropped or the lenses are damaged.

Vortex have a seemingly good warranty and come with a 'glass pack' harness. Hard to beat at the price.

Although IMHO Swarovision EL's and FHF harness are the very best. Leica if you want an integrated rangefinder (I don't, but carry a Leica rangemaster when needed).

 

[Pete_Cambs]

Depending on where you are based, I would really advise against 30mm objectives.

Had a pair of swaro CL 8x30, they are fine as bird watching binoculars but the oculars (lens that you look into) are too small for hill stalking.

They mist up instantly if the weather is cold and you are breathing heavily. Light transmission (not gathering!!! mis-use of this term is on par with calling bullets 'heads'!) through the objective lenses is also limited by size.

Get a pair of 8x42 or 10x42 and you can't go wrong. Worth travelling to try out a range of bino's as well, the ergonomics matter a lot more than ultimate glass performance, if you can't hold them steady, you will get a crap image anyway.

And another thing, get a proper 'full capture' harness. Unless you are shooting out of a highseat 100% of the time, something will happen where they get dropped or the lenses are damaged.

Vortex have a seemingly good warranty and come with a 'glass pack' harness. Hard to beat at the price.

Although IMHO Swarovision EL's and FHF harness are the very best. Leica if you want an integrated rangefinder (I don't, but carry a Leica rangemaster when needed).

I did look through some 42mm objective Leica today but my problem is they are to big for the 75% of the time I'll carry them which is hiking / dog walking. I know there is no perfect all round binocular but I want something that is small enough for the hiking / walking days out but still holds its own well enough for the handful of times I can go stalking in a year.

 

[Cottis]

I did look through some 42mm objective Leica today but my problem is they are to big for the 75% of the time I'll carry them which is hiking / dog walking. I know there is no perfect all round binocular but I want something that is small enough for the hiking / walking days out but still holds its own well enough for the handful of times I can go stalking in a year.

Caberslash is right though (apart from needing some sort of anti accident device when a strap and the use of your cerebrum will be adequate in avoiding damage) and you would be well advised to seek a compromise in 8x42. If you can, try and handle some Vortex Viper HD in 8x42. They will be all the glass you will ever need, will perform superbly in all lights, are smaller and lighter than many other "top spec" brands in the same configuration and come with a lifetime warranty if the aforementioned strap and cerebrum scheme fail to have your back. You will also get change out of £500

As previously mentioned, Optics Warehouse do the Meopta Meopro's in 8x32 for under £300. If you must have something in small objective size, I would go for those. At least you will only spend £300 and when you realise you want more bino in the future, you will at least have half your original budget to put towards them.

 

[User00035]

I did look through some 42mm objective Leica today but my problem is they are to big for the 75% of the time I'll carry them which is hiking / dog walking. I know there is no perfect all round binocular but I want something that is small enough for the hiking / walking days out but still holds its own well enough for the handful of times I can go stalking in a year.

Wear a chest harness and you won't know they're there.

 

[bluesako]

ive ,had a pair of swarovski slc,s 8x30,s for a number of years, and never had a problem with them misting up? and i can tell you they have been used in some severe wheather, any bino,s will mist up if you breath on them, they are my go to bino,s for all my shooting, woodland, hill, if they are fogging up inside there is a problem with them, i would choose swarovski any day, buy once save yourself some money. bs .

 

[Flash9919]

I’ve got a pair of victory 8x45 range finders and a pair of swaro cl 8x30’s.....the victory’s rarely make it out these days they are too heavy and cumbersome. The CL’s do everything I need them to do. That said I dont live in the highlands and spotting deer in thick cover down south ain’t easy regardless of objective size and light gathering abilities. My advice, go with good glass in a small package and save up for thermal.....if you know where to look 7 or 8 x 30 is ample.

 

[Sampo]

Still with my Vortex Diamondback 8x42 which you can find for under £200. With the lifetime warranty it offers, I find it to be one I am happy to carry with me at all times with a decent optical quality and not too heavy. All the best in your search.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I’ve got a pair of victory 8x45 range finders and a pair of swaro cl 8x30’s.....the victory’s rarely make it out these days they are too heavy and cumbersome. The CL’s do everything I need them to do. That said I dont live in the highlands and spotting deer in thick cover down south ain’t easy regardless of objective size and light gathering abilities. My advice, go with good glass in a small package and save up for thermal.....if you know where to look 7 or 8 x 30 is ample.

Are these the first generation or the new version? I can get the older ones in budget but reviews are not very encouraging

 

[Dickie]

The best review is to go look through some and see how they are for you.

 

[Number8]

I'd hunt around for a pair of 8x43HG if you can find them. Excellent kit at dawn and dusk. These are available refurbished and just within your budget: Minox HG 8 x 43 BR Binoculars #62182 High Grade (UK Stock) 4007450621829 | eBay.

 

[Flash9919]

Are these the first generation or the new version? I can get the older ones in budget but reviews are not very encouraging

They are first gen...as someone else has said, don’t believe everything you read, I can’t fault them. Give Toby or Gregor a call at Macleods, they’ll have some graded stock at somewhere around 4-450, try them.....if they are no good for your eyes them send them back and swap out for something else. If they were as bad as the reviews suggest (I haven’t seen the reviews) then why would I leave the 2k Zeiss at home most of the time??