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Advice Needed 10x42 around $300

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jburk6332 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jburk6332 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Advice Needed 10x42 around $300
    Posted: November/27/2006 at 17:46

I'm going to go look at all of these tonight but I wanted the opinion of the forum members first.  Which binocular would you pick out of the Leupold Cascade, Bushnell Legend or the Nikon Monarch ATB.  All of these will be in a 10x42 and technically or from previous experience why would you pick one over another?  If there is a better binocular for the same ballpark price, please let me know that as well.  These will solely be used for hunting, mainly in South Texas. 

 

Currently, I have a pair of Steiner Predator 8x30's that I'm not real happy with.  I'm needing more magnification and a larger objective for additional light gathering.  The main reasons I don't like the Steiner's are that the individual focus is always moving out of adjustment as well as the eye cups are constanly turned the wrong way.

 

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  

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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2006 at 19:29

I don't think you would be making a mistake with any of your choices.  Optically, they are all very similar.  The primary differences will be in the ergonomics of each binocular and only you can decide which fits your hands best.

 

I have friends who own the Monarch in both 8x and 10x and each of them really likes their Nikon. My brother own a Legend and is perfectly satisfied.  Of the three, I would probably pick the Leupold but, that's just 'cause I like the way they fit in my hands.  (Though, I'd have to check the specs before I made a final decision.)

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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jburk6332 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jburk6332 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2006 at 22:25
Just to add one more to the decision, would the Leupold Pinnacle be worth the extra $150 over the Cascade?
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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2006 at 18:15

Originally posted by jburk6332 jburk6332 wrote:

...would the Leupold Pinnacle be worth the extra $150 over the Cascade?

 

 

Yes.

 

If you are going to go there though, you should also take the time to look at a few others.  For example:

 

  • Bushnell Discoverer
  • Pentax DCF SP
  • Minox BL (and BD for that matter)

 

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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skeeeter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote skeeeter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2006 at 18:45
I like Leupold's warranty and only had trouble trying to get Nikon honor their scope warranty. I spent the extra money and got the Pentax DCF SP and all Pentax binocs bought after March get a no fault life time warranty.I got them from SWFA at a great price.
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jburk6332 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jburk6332 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2006 at 19:30

I went today and looked at all the binoculars I previously asked about.  I didn't care for the Nikon Monarch or Bushnell Legend at all.  The Pinnacles were nice but not near the clarity or the brightness of the Cascades.  I have seen this mentioned before with no reason why other than the user had closely set eyes.  Is this typical of these two models, could they be a bad pair or is it just me?  

 

Out of all the binoculars I looked at, other the the Swarovski EL.  I liked the Bausch & Lomb Discoverer the best, they were a 10x42 and still new in the box.  I understand that these have been discontinued and been replaced with the Bushnell Discoverer.  From my reading the B&L were a great binocular and are still highly sought out.  Is this information correct and something I should look further into?            

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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/28/2006 at 20:31
Originally posted by jburk6332 jburk6332 wrote:

 I liked the Bausch & Lomb Discoverer the best, they were a 10x42 and still new in the box.  I understand that these have been discontinued and been replaced with the Bushnell Discoverer.  From my reading the B&L were a great binocular and are still highly sought out.  Is this information correct and something I should look further into?            

 

 

Your information is almost correct. 

 

Bushnell made all B&L sports optics for decades, branding them with the B&L badge under license. About 1 1/2 years ago B&L made the decision to focus all their marketing, development, etc. efforts into their medical products and chose not to renew their branding license with Bushnell.  At that time all B&L products were "discontinued" and re-introduced under the Bushnell logo though, with the same model names they used when labeled B&L, i.e. Elite, Discoverer, and Legacy.)  Thus, the Bushnell Discoverer is (almost) exactly the same product as the B&L Discoverer, it just says Bushnell on the side. I say "almost" because technically, the Bushnell Discoverer is probably a better binocular because it has been continuously upgraded with Bushnell's newest and best coatings - as have the Elites.

 

 

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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birdhunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote birdhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/29/2006 at 08:18
jburk, I would go with the Pentax SPs first and the Bushnell Discover's secondly.  I started out with a pair of Kahles 8x42 which I loved but a friend of mine stayed after me to sell them to him which I eventually did to move up to Swarovski or Leica's.  I spent the money and I bought a low/mid range pair of Nikon Monarchs in 8x42 which were great for the money.  I had no complaints other then they weren't quiet as bright as the Kahles and they didn't give you as much detail in low light conditions as the Kahles.  I have since sold the Nikons and I am debating on going with the Swarovski SLC's in 7x42 from the sample list, Leica Trivoids 7x42 or 8x42, or Leica Ultrovids in 8x42.  If money becomes and issue I am definately going to go with the Pentax SPs in 8x42 or 10x42.  They are the best you can get for under $500 range and they have a lifetime warrenty.  I have only heard good things about the Pentax.  The B&Ls that you have found are a great set also and for the money you can't beat those either.  Let us know what you end up buying.  Thanks, bird_hunter66
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