Steiner or Kahles or Zeiss Binos

[BelMali]

Currently running Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42s, they're grand binos, first pair I bought that I could afford. I know they're entry level but they've worked ok for me so far, the last few years, obviously a bit hard on the eyes in low light.

Does anyone have the Steiner Ranger Extremes in 10x42, Zeiss Conquest 10x42 or Khales Helia 10x42.

I know they're going to be better than my Vortex Binos, Im just trying to decide which pair to get. Been saving for a while and id like to buy once and cry once on a good pair.

 

[Marrajack1]

I had the Ziess conquest in 8x42 and if I am honest I would have stuck with them instead of paying double for Victory HT and saved the money - they are a very nice glass.

 

[JTO]

Currently running Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42s, they're grand binos, first pair I bought that I could afford. I know they're entry level but they've worked ok for me so far, the last few years, obviously a bit hard on the eyes in low light.

Does anyone have the Steiner Ranger Extremes in 10x42, Zeiss Conquest 10x42 or Khales Helia 10x42.

I know they're going to be better than my Vortex Binos, Im just trying to decide which pair to get. Been saving for a while and id like to buy once and cry once on a good pair.

Perhaps 10x mag is a little high unless your eyes are showing signs associated with aging.

 

[BelMali]

I have farmland and hillside permissions so 10x is a bit too much for the farmland but I like having the 10x for hills

 

[bluesako]

my mate must have 15 pair of bino,s he,s bought in the last 25 years, must have spent £1000,s on them, ive had two pair, ziess and swarovski in in all that time bs

 

[FISH BOY]

Would suggest adding a decent second had set of Swaro SLCs to the list.

Had far more expensive binos and the SLCs always been the brightest.

 

[Cyres]

Don't bother buy a thermal if you haven't got one already. You should have added Leica to your list. If you must have bins then a pair of SH Geovids will be the best choice.
D

 

[bluesako]

what fish boy said i use swarovski slc,s 8x 30,s best ive used

 

[BelMali]

I dont have the budget for multiple pairs anyways. So just looking for one quality pair.

Thermal, that is decent enough is out of my budget, Ive looked through a few options that are around the price of the binos Im looking at and id rather pick up decent binos

Ill have a look at Leica, and the Swaro SLCs

 

[RCS Deer Management]

Don't bother buy a thermal if you haven't got one already. You should have added Leica to your list. If you must have bins then a pair of SH Geovids will be the best choice.
D

I have several sets of some of the best thermals on the market, non of which make me think I could do without my Swaro Binos, they are different tools for different jobs. Bit like saying I don’t need my woodsaw anymore because I have a decent hammer

 

[Cyres]

Depends on what your shooting. I never leave the house without my thermal. If I need a range finder then I use a Leica monocular. Geovids come out for country walks with thermal.
If your on a limited budget then thermal first.
D

 

[BelMali]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I dont really have the budget for thermal and decent binos, definitely need a bino upgrade more. And tbh I wouldn't use thermal that much where I shoot

 

[TundB]

If i were you i would just buy a second hand of high end of top EU makers. Lots of high end Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss binoculars are sold sub £1000.
They are for life.

 

[lochty]

what fish boy said i use swarovski slc,s 8x 30,s best ive used

#1 for these.

 

[BelMali]

Im in Ireland, not a lot of dealers even deal in secondhand optics, let alone binos, obviously theres the for sale section on here which I will keep an eye out on.

I did want to try before I buy though!!

 

[Cyres]

Do you know fellow stalkers or shooters with the said bins ? If so see if you can have a look through them. I found my Geovids were far more ergonomic than the Zeiss equivalent. Swarvis always appear brighter but at very last light I found no better than Leicas. Same is true of their scopes. Also if you get top end bins you will need a top end scope. Annoying to see quarry with bins and not through scope.
D

 

[BelMali]

I don't know anyone with those particular binos, except one fella who has Swaros but they're way out of my price range. My scope is a Vortex PST Gen II, my rifle was setup for target and deer, I only stalk now but given its a €1700 scope in Ireland, around £1430, Its been plenty good at dusk and dawn so far but I know I need to move it on for better glass more stalking minded.

Binos, given the price point of my current ones, and quality(ie entry level at best), are easier to upgrade right now.

 

[Border]

I had the Ziess conquest in 8x42 and if I am honest I would have stuck with them instead of paying double for Victory HT and saved the money - they are a very nice glass.

I also have the Conquest HD 8x42, owned from new. Great glass. Had to replace a cracked eyecup recently but that was foc from Zeiss Norway. The only negative is that they can be a bit focus fussy, with a narrow window of focussed vs unclear.

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

To be honest, I'd stick with binos and put money off thermal. I have diamondbacks too and they do the job fine.

 

[harrygrey382]

Out of those I’d pick the Conquest in a heartbeat - they’re very good. Unless you actually mean the Kahles Helia S - these are rebadged Swaro SLC (in every way - same everything including made at the same Austrian factory. Apart from adding the stupid orange stripe), and would be the pick for sure. The Kahles Helia is a reasonable quality binocular made in the same Japanese factory as the majority of mid range offerings from other manufacturers. Immerse yourself in birdforum if you want to know more. Not sure about the Steiner.

Why don’t you indicate your budget? Then people might stop recommending Geovids (I assume you’re not actually interested in high end range finding binoculars? Even second hand they’ll be more than double the price of new Conquests). In general, I think it’s better buying a second hand pair of alpha binoculars than a new pair of runner ups.

I recently bought a like new pair of 2020 10x42 SLC for less than the price of new Kahles Helia. I find myself glass more than I used to because I love the image so much - the clarity, brightness, lack of CA and even size/weight makes them an absolute joy to use.