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gun nut View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: October/31/2006
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gun nut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: binoculars
    Posted: November/02/2006 at 17:21
i was wondering how good the alpen apex 12x50s are
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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/02/2006 at 17:42

They are worthy targets for (albeit somewhat non-traditional) trap shooting.   

 

Seriously, even if you are looking for a bargain in optics (of which there are many,) Alpen is not the best choice. If you want good, low-cost, high-magnification binoculars (which is a very tall order) you need to focus your search onto the various porro prism offerings by Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, and Pentax. These will be of far better quality and will cost significantly less than the $380 - $400 you will spend on the Alpen.

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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samhill79 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote samhill79 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/02/2006 at 18:12

I will agree with lucznik, you can find better.  Besides 12X50 limits you to 4.17mm of exit pupil, so in other words you are not getting as much light as you could to your eye.  The average human eye can see around 5mm.  This is caluculated by dividing the power into the objective.  This why 10X50, 7X35, 8X56 are so popular.

 

Nikon Monarchs would be my recommendation for economical, good, lightweight, and the clearest in the less than $500 range.  SWFA has re-furbished ones in the $200+ range and I would say don't be scared of Refurbished, I have seen several pairs and they are basically new in my opinion.   You can find them in the sample list.  There is also a great selection of Steiners there which are worth some consideration.   I am a Leica fan, I own 10X50 Ultravids and love them but I have the Nikon's in the truck at all times and love them.  I just couldn't handle the thought of someone stealing the Leicas so I don't take them anywhere unless they are attached to my body.  Hope you find some of this useful....the best advice is to buy what you want and feel good with.

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Acenturian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2006 at 19:46

Ok, I have to disagree here.  While I think for the amount of money that the Apex are you could do better with a good set of poro's or spend a bit more and go with a pair of Pentaz SP's.  However, that being said the Alpen Apex in my opinon has better optics then either the Nikon Monarch or the Pentax DCF HR II, or the Bushnell Legends. 

Now the Apex also tends to cost more than the other mentioned binoculars, which is possibly why the optics are better in my opinion. 

 

Im not a big fan of Alpen's lower end lines but the Apex is good binocular. 

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