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Upgrade Binos

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skywalker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote skywalker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Upgrade Binos
    Posted: January/17/2009 at 22:58
I am in the process of upgrading my optics.  I posted on the riflescope forum and was given some great advice, now I am searching for binos.  Here goes.  I have had Nikon Monarch 8X42 and have been very happy with them, however, I want to move up a level.

Swaro 8X30 SLC
Pentax 8X42 SPF ED
Zeiss Conquest 8X30
Vortex Razor 8X42

Of these three, considering cost, are the swaros that much better than the others?

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Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 00:47
Yes

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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 09:50
I agree with Wes, But the swaro is also 1.5x more expensive, so it should be better.
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mike650 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 10:28
If your on a budget the Vortex Razor 8X42 is great choice; if not, the Swaro's all the way.

Edited by mike650 - January/18/2009 at 22:15
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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 11:21
I would rather have an 8x42 than an 8x30 for extended glassing, especially in low light conditions. Since you said you were deer hunting, and they travel most at dusk and dawn, the larger exit pupil versus the 8x30 will help.
There is a very good review on the Razor from Lucznik. I have used these glasses and they are very good. http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11194
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 22:12
I am with Tahqua.

This is an apples to oranges comparison due to very dissimilar binocular configurations.

If you can afford Swaro prices, take a look at Kowa Genesis 8.5x44.  If you are intent on a smaller binocular, I think I would take Kowa Genesis 8x33 over the comparably configured Swaro (keep in mind that 33mm objective lets in about 20% more light than a 30mm one).

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/18/2009 at 22:19
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/20/2009 at 06:50

From that list, my choice would be Swarovski 8x30. They have excellent glass and coatings and will work for you very well 25 minutes before sunrise and 25 minutes after sunset. 

The concern about low light performance is very valid, but i have tried them. They work.


Edited by anweis - January/20/2009 at 06:53
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/20/2009 at 11:53
I hope to see the new Kowa Genesis 8x33 some day, because i am confident that they will be better than the Swarovski SLC 8x30, and, possibly, better than most 8x32s out there. 
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Gunshow75 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gunshow75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/20/2009 at 13:17
Kowa's product details, under Phase Coating on the Roof Prism, describe their BaK4 roof prism to have "a highly reflective aluminum coating," and later, under C3 Coating, say the "roof" of their Schmidt-Pechan prism is multi-coated with a highly reflective dielectric (C3). As they note, good dielectric reflectors are superior to silver, which is better than aluminum.

What are they using - dielectrics, aluminum, both?


Tom



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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/20/2009 at 13:20
Dielectrics on the Genesis.
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Gunshow75 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gunshow75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/20/2009 at 13:54
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

Dielectrics on the Genesis.

Thanks. The "aluminum" bit made no sense.


Tom



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