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Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
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Guys, there a potful of decent usable binoculars out there in this price range. Keep this up and you will drive yourself nuts. Buy from a dealer with a good retrn/exchange policy. Buy two or three, keep the one you like and get your refund on the others. Or buy from a brand name you have some confidence in. FWIW, the Mojave are pretty nice too. Nobody does customer service and warranty better than Vortex or Leupold.
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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron |
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Gymrat500
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/21/2008 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Now I like the sound of that! Now I need to start a post on how to convince the boss to let me do this!
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Confucius Says - Man who Stand on Toilet is High on Pot.
He also said : Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. |
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Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
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They say money ain't everything, but I do agree it's way ahead of whatever is in second place. The other option is to buy one, try it, take good notes, send it back and try another, take good notes..........................
Or just buy whichever Vortex or Leupold strikes your fancy. If you don't like it they will make it right. That's been my experience anyway. BTW the Talon is the same thing as the Diamondback. I don't like it quite as well s the Fury, but it is a heck of a good deal for the price. Edited by Klamath - August/22/2008 at 21:37 |
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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron |
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DAVE44
Optics Journeyman Joined: November/11/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 652 |
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Well if you do decide to get the Leupold Mohave then buy it here on SWFA website because it has the best prices on this binocular that I have seen. They are $329.99 and I believe that all Leupold optics have free shipping here. The cheapest I have found them for anywhere else is $379.99 and that includes the almighty Ebay. The way I see it you can buy them and if you dont like them sell them on Ebay for a small profit. I think I may get the Mohave instead of the Pinnacle, It does have good optics I just wish the Mohave had a little faster focus knob, the Pinnacle is a little too fast . My only decision now is Black or Mossy Oak Camo they both are the same price.
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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Thanks all!...................My decision is???...............The Leupold Katmai! The only other decision is, determining whether the better choice is the 6X or the 8X, in black or in the natural color!.........The lower weight and smaller size of this binoc, combined with the Katmai`s 32mm lenses are an excellent compromise....The Vortex Fury was also considered, but the Leupold Katmai to me, has more of an elegant looking appeal which I also took into consideration.................
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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or Swarovski.
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antleraddiction
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/27/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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Squeezer,
I own the 8x32 Katmai in Natural...............BIG MISTAKE!!! Not the bino but the Natural color. Go with black, IMO. I like to take care of my things and there is nothing you can do to keep the natural color from looking nasty. There is some kind of film on them that makes them pleasant to hold and slip free, which is nice, but, nasty. Kinda looks like an oil change if you know what I mean. They are my favorite bow binos, but go with black you will thank me later. I'll try to post a pic if I can find the fanny pack they are in. Edited by antleraddiction - August/24/2008 at 19:50 |
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antleraddiction
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/27/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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I also own a pair of 10x42 Pinnacles in black, no tacky feeling and such. GO WITH BLACK, if you want natural, buy mine and I'll buy a another pair of Katmai in BLACK.
Edited by antleraddiction - August/24/2008 at 21:54 |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Customer Service: Swarovski and Leupold are the best that I've experienced. Leupold, to me has been great but Swaro has been better. Without going into detail, I would have to say that Swarovski has gone way above and beyond what I've ever expected. |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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mwyates
Optics Master Joined: June/15/2004 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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My 6X32's are natural and I would definitely go with black. I thought the natural looked cool, and they do, now just in a really dirty sort of way
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No man on his deathbed ever said "I wish I'd made more money".
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antleraddiction
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/27/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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mywates, I've tried cleaning mine with everthing known to man with no luck. Its not like I drag the binos to my deer stand but the natural color is a dirt magnet. Only thing I can figure is the rubber coating used on these absorbs stuff!! Mine are now a soupy natural color after two seasons of use. I guess the black just does not show up the dirt. |
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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Well guys!......After reading of your cleaning nightmares with the natural color, in the case of my binocs, I`ll get some black ones for sure!
In the process of narrowing my choice to the Katmais, I also see some others that I would like some additional comments on if possible. How would these below compare to the Katmais?
Minox BL BR 8x32
Pentax DCF XP 8x33
Pentax DCF SP 8x32..........on the sample list for $398
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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Glad you settled on what you want. You are getting a good glass in the price range. My decision to buy the Razors came from using them on the test drive. Until comparing my Nikon, Bushnell and Swift. (all in the under $300 price range) It was hard to believe how much more that I could see thru the Razors. Looking at my collection of 5 sets of binoculars none I was satisfied with, totaled much more than the price of the Razors. They may be to large for some of my needs but then I will use one of the others.
I am still wanting something in the small pocket size but they will need to be very hardy to stand up to being my behind the seat binoculars.
Squeeze: Glad you found what you want. You got a good deal off the sample list. Hopefully my search will be as successful as your search was.
Lile
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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timber
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/03/2007 Status: Offline Points: 354 |
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Big Squeeze. I've owned both Leica and Zeiss 8x 20's. My particular pair of Zeiss was sharper. However both were difficult to use with eyeglasses. I compromised with a Zeiss 8x32. You'll like the mid-size.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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If you are going with a semi-compact binocular, stick to fairly low magnification. You will see just as much detail, but with a more comfortable view.
Katmai 6x32 is a good way to go as is Vortex Fury 6.5x32 If you really want an 8x binocular with a smallish objectives, than you should really step up in price. For the money you want to spend, the two above are your best options, in my opinion. If you want a bit more power, look at Swift Eaglet 7x36. I have seen them around for a touch over $300. If you want a bigger binocular the best bang for the buck is Vortex Viper 8x42 which is just under $500. If you want something big and optically excellent without breaking the bank too much, Swift 8.5x44ED are a good way to go. ILya |
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rockblaster
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/14/2008 Location: Auberry, Ca Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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I have a pair of Fujinon mil spec 7x50 made in the USA. These are great hunting binoculars with superb low light capability. They are full size however and a bit heavy. The glass is pretty amazing and I would not trade them for anything. If they are good enough for our troops they are good enough for me. Just throwing another iron in the fire.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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I take it then that your preferred choice for a dining experience consists of either cafeteria food and/or MREs? Edited by lucznik - September/21/2008 at 17:33 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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While I am not a big fan of MREs, if memory serves me right, US military's M22 binos are same as Fujinon 7x50 FMTR-SX. Those are very impressive binoculars indeed.
ILya |
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rockblaster
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/14/2008 Location: Auberry, Ca Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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Actually when hunting my primary food consists of MREs. I always keep a few cases around. Not much of a cafeteria guy though. Don't knock Fujinon until you have tried them. Koshkin is right, they are impressive.
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