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$1,000 Budget

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brownchristian View Drop Down
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    Posted: January/04/2012 at 14:51
I have $1,000 budget and want to get a nice set of bins.  I currently own a set of Nikon Monarch 10 x 42.  I was thinking about increasing the power to 12 on my next set just so I can count horns and see more detail out to 150 - 200 yards.  What would you recommend with this budget?
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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: January/04/2012 at 15:43
I cannot imagine needing more than 8x for 150-200 yards.  I have a feeling something is amiss here.  I have had a Monarch for many years, and while it is bettered by lots of things, but sufficient antler detail at 200 yards is well within its capabilities.  For needing more detail at what seems like relatively short distances, I think maybe you need less magnification, not more.  There is no way I'd ever recommend 12x to anybody for that distance.  Field of view is narrower for one thing and image shake is another that may be problematic.
 
These days there isn't much need to spend even over $500 to maybe $650.  I'd wait at least until March for the ZEN Prime HD to show up before I did anything.
 
At any rate the list of candidates includes the Meopta Meostar, Vortex Viper HD, Vortex Talon HD, ZEN ED 2 and ED 3, Kruger Caldera, and Theron Wapiti APO-ED.  You might be able to find a deal somewhere on a Leupold Gold Ring HD too.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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brownchristian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brownchristian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2012 at 15:51
Any thoughts on the Zeiss Conquest 12 x 45?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2012 at 15:56
THe Meoptas look quite a bit better than Conquests to me.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/04/2012 at 16:10
Forget the 12x binos, unless you want to carry around a tripod every where you go. 

PS:  What Klamath said........


Edited by JGRaider - January/04/2012 at 16:11
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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/04/2012 at 16:36
I would try a higher quality 8x bino, like the Meopta Meostar 8x42.

I once did a test with a few people when the binoculars were taped up so that you could not tell the configuration and almost everyone saw better handheld with 7x or 8x binos than with 10x.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bird_hunter66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 07:48
I'd go with the  Meopta Meostar 8x42, Leupold Gold Ring 8x42 or if you can find a nice used pair of Swarovski 8x30 or 7x42 here on the sample list.  Next would be the old Leica Trivoid in 7x or 8x would be a good choice as well if you see one here on the sample list.  

I have a 7x42 pair of Swarovski SLCs myself after owning four other brands and these blow them away by a long shot at hunting dusk and dawn.  I was also looking at the Meopta Meostar 8x42 but I got a really good deal on a new set os Swarovski SLC 7x42 so I went with them.  Their customer service is second to none.
D. Holmes
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brettpsu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 09:36
I too was looking for more magnifacation when the guys on here kinda talked me out of it. I "settled" for a new pair of Swarovski 10x42 SLC neu's, a 2010 model. Because the none HD's are now discontinued, you can pick them up at steep discounts if you look hard. It took me many hours of surfing and making calls to dealers but found a pair for just over your budget. I have Cabelas 10x42 and 12x50 Alaskan Guides and they don't hold a candle to the Swaros. The crispness of the Swaro's is unreal, I can count points easier on them than the 12x50's at any range.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 09:50
Those SLCneu 10x42's are sweet.......I've owned that glass and you have to look long and hard to find an ever so slight, if anything, better glass for hunting. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 10:37
As far as allround use goes, I prefer the new SLC to just about every other bino out there including Swaros somewhat higher end ELs.  There is something about the SLCs that just agrees with my eyes and the form factor fits well in my hands.

To me Meopta Meostars are somewhat similar but not as good and not as expensive (still very good and not cheap though) which is why I often recommend them.  All that having been said, my single most favourite binocular available today is the latest SLC in 7x42.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 11:25
Ilya, are you referring to the SLCneu or SLC HD? i am thinking you mean the neu, as I have not seen a 7x SLC HD yet. I have the 10x42 SLC neu and have directly compared it to the newest SLC HD, EL non-swarovision, and EL swarovision.

I think the SLC HD is the finest sporting binocular available today. However it is only a slight improvement over my SLC neu (mostly in CA control at the edge). the non-swarovision ELs show a bit more pincushion and field curvature than both SLCs. they also have more CA at the edge than either. The Swarovision has a top notch image that is too flat for me.

As a former Meopta Meostar 10x42 owner, I would agree they are only slightly behind the SLC neu in overall performance. I would add the more refined Chinese EDs like the Zen Ray ED2/3 are only slightly behind the Meostar, if you get a cherry sample.

I have not spent much time with the Conquest binoculars.

All of my comments above were for the 10x42 versions. I like the 10x42 configuration and do not have trouble holding the image steady. I also have several 8x binoculars, but usually go back to the 10s when hunting.

I can hold 12s steady enough to make use of the magnification, but the field of view is too narrow for my liking, they don't provide much more detail than the 10s, and the exit pupil is getting on the small side. I am confused as to why the OP wants such high magnification for grassing so closely. A 8x binocular or even 6x binocular should have sufficient magnification to see even the smallest of kickers on a whitetail rack at 200 yards.

The moral of this long-winded post is, if the OP wants the best for $1000 a used SLC neu fits the bill, but you can also get really close for less. In my opinion, of course.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 11:52
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

Ilya, are you referring to the SLCneu or SLC HD? i am thinking you mean the neu, as I have not seen a 7x SLC HD yet. I have the 10x42 SLC neu and have directly compared it to the newest SLC HD, EL non-swarovision, and EL swarovision.

I think the SLC HD is the finest sporting binocular available today. However it is only a slight improvement over my SLC neu (mostly in CA control at the edge). the non-swarovision ELs show a bit more pincushion and field curvature than both SLCs. they also have more CA at the edge than either. The Swarovision has a top notch image that is too flat for me.

As a former Meopta Meostar 10x42 owner, I would agree they are only slightly behind the SLC neu in overall performance. I would add the more refined Chinese EDs like the Zen Ray ED2/3 are only slightly behind the Meostar, if you get a cherry sample.

I have not spent much time with the Conquest binoculars.

All of my comments above were for the 10x42 versions. I like the 10x42 configuration and do not have trouble holding the image steady. I also have several 8x binoculars, but usually go back to the 10s when hunting.

I can hold 12s steady enough to make use of the magnification, but the field of view is too narrow for my liking, they don't provide much more detail than the 10s, and the exit pupil is getting on the small side. I am confused as to why the OP wants such high magnification for grassing so closely. A 8x binocular or even 6x binocular should have sufficient magnification to see even the smallest of kickers on a whitetail rack at 200 yards.

The moral of this long-winded post is, if the OP wants the best for $1000 a used SLC neu fits the bill, but you can also get really close for less. In my opinion, of course.

Most of my mileage is with SLCneu.  I only saw SLC HD at SHOT.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bird_hunter66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/05/2012 at 13:53
+1 for the SLC 7x42 neu they are awsome and I can look through them for hours without bothering me.  The view is crisp and clean and its a good way to management hunt with them if your counting points on a buck or muley.

D. Holmes
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote boatsailmail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 11:38

Post deleted.... inappropriate post.  Please read forum rules concerning sales of personal items.



Edited by Kickboxer - February/27/2012 at 09:30
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote black crow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 12:07
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

I would try a higher quality 8x bino, like the Meopta Meostar 8x42.

I once did a test with a few people when the binoculars were taped up so that you could not tell the configuration and almost everyone saw better handheld with 7x or 8x binos than with 10x.

ILya

I have found the 7x to be the ultimate in power for me. I can hold them rock steady and so can resolve detail with ease. With 10x I can see movement with every heartbeat.   I use others but spend the most time with the 7x due to the wide fov and bright images.  If I can't see it with 7x I use the spotting scope.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 13:24
Originally posted by brownchristian brownchristian wrote:

I currently own a set of Nikon Monarch 10 x 42.  I was thinking about increasing the power to 12 on my next set just so I can count horns and see more detail out to 150 - 200 yards. 
200 yards divided by 10x equals the equivalent of 20 yards distance in real life.
If you are having a problem counting horns or seeing detail with your Nikon 10x at so close a distance the problem is either with the binocular or with your own eyes.
 
Do you wear eyeglasses?
Do you need eyeglasses?
 
Stan
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote black crow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 14:27
Years ago I got the same propaganda in mass media that it was all about the power. Cheapo telescopes bragged of 175x and people bough them and immediately put them in the garage because they couldn't see squat due to the bad optics and too much power for the aperture.  

In the general population I think the myth of power still is very common. The OP sounds new to optics and maybe assumes that more power = better binoculars and better experience.  I think if he's willing to take some of the good advice here and also does some amateur study of optics soon enough he'll know how to pick a pretty good binocular.  IMO he's already got one.  If I wanted another of the same power I'd be mostly looking for more FOV (field of view). 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 14:39
Originally posted by bird_hunter66 bird_hunter66 wrote:

+1 for the SLC 7x42 neu they are awsome and I can look through them for hours without bothering me.  The view is crisp and clean and its a good way to management hunt with them if your counting points on a buck or muley.



+2

If your a birder, the colors are amazing viewed through these bino's.

I'm a hunter and their a great choice as well, just a little on the heavy side if your on the move a lot.
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote opticPunk335 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 14:53
I'm somewhat new to binoculars myself but I will comment in regards to magnification power. I bought a couple of 8x and 10x binoculars, nothing expensive to test which worked best for. I A/B them to see if there is a big difference. To my surprise the difference was so slight it was not worth increase image shake with the 10x. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote black crow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2012 at 15:11
Many say the same but with more experience and a finer eye for such things you begin to notice.  The thing for me is to know how much power I can handle before the shake really interferes.  I think for me that's about 9 or maybe 10x.   As I hike up hills a lot and breath hard,  6-7x works best in such situations. For most people 8x seems to be the preferred compromise. 

Considering the OP has $1000 grand burning a hole in his pocket maybe he could own several pair of differing power, which can be used in differing situations.  Rather than blow my $2500 budget on one alpha bin I've opted for owning many pair. It's worked out great so far. Been a real educational experience and eventually I'll sell off some of the ones that don't really get used. 


“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself”
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