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Binos for low light

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TexasPhotog View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/09/2010 at 11:16
Hi Gang,

I'm looking for recommendations for a pair binoculars.  They will be used from a stand while hunting in deep woods that can be fairly dark even during legal shooting hours.  Weight is not a huge concern as they're not going to be carried very far.  They need not be super powerful, 6,7 or 8x would work.  I assume the Zeiss Victory 8x56's are awesome but unfortunately I was thinking $1000 or less. 

I appreciate your thoughts!
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Bird Watcher View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 11:35

7x50 & 8x56 are close to one another in gathering light.

Exit Pupil 7x50 = 7.1mm
Exit Pupil 8x56 = 7.0mm 
From the charts that I have read the 8x56 has a slight edge.
 
Also, if you are not buying Alpa glass (binos under $1000.00) Porro prism binoculars
have the edge for illumination.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Edited by Bird Watcher - November/09/2010 at 11:56
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 11:51
You will get some recommendations for a 7x50 configuration and that is a good combination.  BUT...BUT the really good ones like the Fujinon Polaris and some others have world class glass and are cursed with individual focus eyepieces and weigh about 3 pounds, which makes weight a consideration, even even , as you put it, it really isn't a consideration.  They run the gamut from the cheap to the just sub $600 of the fujinon.
 
Now if it were me in your shoes with your stipulations i would get the Minox 8x56 BL, which are around $800 and be done with it.  That is not a configuration that holds a lot of interest for me personally, but that BL series is impressive glass.   You can also get a Meopta Meostar 8x50 in that price range too.  I likely will add either the Minox 13x56 or the newly announced 15x56 to my kit sometime in the near future.


Edited by Klamath - November/09/2010 at 11:55
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 11:59
Originally posted by Klamath Klamath wrote:

 Now if it were me in your shoes with your stipulations i would get the Minox 8x56 BL, which are around $800 and be done with it.  That is not a configuration that holds a lot of interest for me personally, but that BL series is impressive glass. 
Steve,
 
Thanks,
It's interesting that the Minox BV 8x56 BL is not listed in either of my catalogs.
 
Stan
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TexasPhotog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 14:24
Thanks for the input guys. 

Klamath, I hear you.  This is not a configuration I'd have previously ever desired as hunting from a blind never has interested me greatly and I usually prefer more portable glass.   But I was using some 10x42's this weekend that just didn't have the exit pupil needed for the amount of light available.  And I really wanted to see some critters that I could faintly discern in faint pre-dawn light.  I had the opportunity to look through some Minox 15x's in September and was impressed.  I'd like to have a pair of those too!

BW, thanks for the links!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 14:44
You're welcome. 
Which 10x42mm were you using? 
A 10x50mm with a 5mm exit pupil would have been better.


Edited by Bird Watcher - November/09/2010 at 14:48
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TexasPhotog View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TexasPhotog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/09/2010 at 15:01
The Leupold Gold Ring HD's.  I like them a lot but I think they're more of an open country bin.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote beyond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2010 at 21:37
One of my friends has a good pair of Bushnell Discovrer 6-15x60zoom, book price is around $350.00.
7.0 mm  7x50, 8x56, 9x63
 6.5 mm  7x45, 8x50
 6.0 mm  7x42, 8x50, 10x56
 5.5 mm  7x40, 8x42, 10x50, 10x56
 5.0 mm  8.5x42, 10x50
7.0 mm  7x50, 8x56, 9x63
 6.5 mm  7x45, 8x50
 6.0 mm  7x42, 8x50, 10x56
 5.5 mm  7x40, 8x42, 10x50, 10x56
 5.0 mm  8.5x42, 10x50
7.0 mm  7x50, 8x56, 9x63
 6.5 mm  7x45, 8x50
 6.0 mm  7x42, 8x50, 10x56
 5.5 mm  7x40, 8x42, 10x50, 10x56
 5.0 mm  8.5x42, 10x50
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beyond View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote beyond Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2010 at 21:38
Sorry, there are some mistakes.
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2010 at 22:57
beyond
 
Unless I miss my guess you have referenced a spotting scope.  The question relates to low light binoculars.  Sorry, maybe I am missing something.
 
One thing for sure is Bushnell has never sold a zoom binocular anywhere near worth $350.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blackmore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/14/2010 at 07:00
Originally posted by Bird Watcher Bird Watcher wrote:

Originally posted by Klamath Klamath wrote:

 Now if it were me in your shoes with your stipulations i would get the Minox 8x56 BL, which are around $800 and be done with it.  That is not a configuration that holds a lot of interest for me personally, but that BL series is impressive glass. 
Steve,
 
Thanks,
It's interesting that the Minox BV 8x56 BL is not listed in either of my catalogs.
 
Stan
 
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