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10X42 vortex vipers or Minox BD10X44 BP |
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Lurchernz
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/05/2007 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: December/05/2007 at 15:48 |
Looking for a pair of mid priced hunting binocs. have narrowed it down to either the roof 10X42 vortex vipers or porro Minox BD10X44 BP's they appear to be within $10 of each other ($489 versus $479) pricewise. I haven't read much about the minox, but I know that for the same $ porro usually beats roof so I am interested. I won't get the chance to look thru these glasses before I purchase.
I live in New Zealand and we have no hunting hour restrictions so low light performance is very important. I am often glassing for deer at considerable distance. At times I am looking for them in brownish greenish shrubbery, they blend in extremely well and sometimes it is only movement that gives them away. Any other bino choices I should also be considering under US $500? Thanks in advance John |
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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Light transmission to your eyes from the Minox BD 10x44 BP porro prism is 94.5%.
The only other porro that is higher is the Fujinon 10x50mm FMT-SX with 95%+ light transmission to your eyes.
The Fujinon is much heavier, more expensive, and has Individual Focus rather than Center Focus.
I almost purchased the Minox BD 8x44 BP, very bright, very clear, and very sharp.
My only complaint was the "combination" of the focusing wheel and the diopter adjustment. My finger and thumb was too crowded when trying to make the necessary adjustments, and it also threw the foucs off because there was not enough room to maneuver easily. However, I believe that once it is set for your eyes you won't have to bother with it after that. (because I am constantly using my binoculars at different distances, from very far to very close up, I am always tweaking the focusing wheel and the diopter adjustment for my astigmatisms)
Also, because of the pronounced 3D effect of the Minox, it should be somewhat easier to distinguish the deer among the shrubbery, unless it's too dark.
A 10x "roof" prism has less depth of focus, and trees and branches have a way of all blending together.
I talked with Vortex about the light transmission on the Viper and was told that the information was not available.
The Nikon Premier SE 10x42mm porro prism is another excellent binocular for low light, but it is much more expensive. Edited by Bird Watcher - December/05/2007 at 21:03 |
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Lurchernz
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/05/2007 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Thank you birdwatcher, have you looked through the vipers and if so what did you think? which of the two would you buy?
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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Not many stores carry the Vortex binocular product line, in any real quantity, in my local area. I have looked through the Razors, but that was some time ago. I would have to special order the Vipers to have a look through them. From other reviews I have seen the Vipers are close, but not as bright as the Razors.
Generally speaking a roof prism of high quality will give you around 90 to 92% light transmission. The Minox HG 10x43mmBR aspheric offers 92% light transmission to your eyes. Edited by Bird Watcher - December/05/2007 at 17:04 |
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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To answer your question, I would go with a high quality porro prism because there is less light loss overall.
I also prefer the 3D effect of a porro, which can only be duplicated, to some degree, by going to a lower magnification in a "roof" prism, such as 6x or 7x. Edited by Bird Watcher - December/05/2007 at 21:05 |
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Lurchernz
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/05/2007 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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thank you again birdwatcher. One last question, what other binoculars would you consider in this price range (under $US500)?
cheers John |
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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Not much comes to mind in a porro prism.
Perhaps a Leupold Pinnacles 10x42 roof prism.
The IOR is a very good binocular but it is also Individual Focus
Edited by Bird Watcher - December/05/2007 at 17:27 |
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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Five years ago Minox was a part of Leica. Ten years ago Minox was a part of Leica, ect. Minox has been around since before WWII. They have been at the higher end of things since formation.
Who is vortex? How do they hold thier value? I am not saying anything bad about them, but there is a lot of stuff on the market from people I've never heard from. YMMV
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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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http://www.vortexoptics.com/
Take a look for yourself.
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mwyates
Optics Master Joined: June/15/2004 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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Vortex has only been around a short time, but that's not necessarily good or bad; they just don't have any history. I've never seen one of the products, but their reputation is good, so far. Do they offer anything that wasn't availble from another manufacturer?
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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Ya, so what? I just spent the last half hour running through the Middleton Wi chamber of commerce directory. They ain't no Vortex listed... Now, from the address listed on the web site there is a competitor who sells binos and this seems to be their house brand. They have the same address.
This does not mean that there is anything bad about either one. Bird watcher it takes a bit more than a website to impress me.
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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet
WWW.formitch.com |
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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That makes two of us!
If you are "really" interested in looking through the Vortex binoculars, to find out for yourself their level of quality, I'm sure you will do something more than just have an attitude.
I wasn't trying to impress you, just pointing you in a direction where you could do your own browsing/reading.
"It takes no more time to see the good side of life than it takes to see the bad".
Jimmy Buffett
Edited by Bird Watcher - December/06/2007 at 16:51 |
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robbie
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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Vortex and the "competitor" are owned bu the same people. I was at the facility. Very knowledgable staff and best warranty bar none. They said simply, you break it, we replace it. The Viper is very nice. I did not purchase at that time because I got a pr of Fujinon CDs at close out steal of 209. Vortex and better made in Japan, lower models made in China. |
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robbie
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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To correct:
I said Vortex and better made in Japan, Lower made in China.
Meant to say: The VIPER and better made in Japan.
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Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
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My Viper 10x42 is a superb hunting binocular. The depth of field is outstanding for a roof of any price. Once you adjust the diopter you nearly do not have to use the focus. They are better in that regard than any IF binocular I have used. I have yet to wish that I had spent more money for a top end alpha brand binocular. The Vipers are a good fit ergonomically for me and they are light enough to pack around all day. Unless you really like the different feel of the porro, get the Viper.
Steve
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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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