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Rugged Hunting Binoculars |
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bb122
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/07/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Posted: October/11/2004 at 13:47 |
I am looking for a good pair of hunting binoculars. The budget is $650 dollars or less. I have been looking at 7x42's, 8x42's and 10x42's. What would be a good choice? The Sample List has some Kahles and Leica's that fit this price range.
FYI. My hunting is primarily in the Eastern US and Texas. |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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Kahles, Docter, Minox, Pentax SPs.
ranburr |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Pentax SPs are probably the best bang for the back among the roof prism binoculars.
If you are willing to put up with extra weight, IOR Porro Prism binoculars are hard to beat. For the ultimate optical performance and reasonably light weight Nikon Superior E porro prism binoculars are probably just the ticket. |
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mwyates
Optics Master Joined: June/15/2004 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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Ditto to Koshkin. I bought the Pentax 8X43 SP's about a month ago and am very happy with them. It's really hard to justify twice as much money for something a little bit better. I've also got the Nikon Superior E 8X32. You can't beat them for pure viewing pleasure, but I don't consider them "hunting" binoculars, since they are not waterproof, etc.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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I thought that the latest iteration of Superior E binoculars is waterproof.
I could be wrong though.
Ilya |
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bb122
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/07/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Kahles or Pentax? Which ones are better for hunting? I am looking at 8x.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Personally, I'd go with Pentax SP. They are a little lighter and
a little cheaper. As far as ruggedness and optical qualiity go, I
doubt you'll see much difference between the two, if any.
Mind you, I have not had a chance to really use both in the field, but I have spent some time with them side by side looking at objects at dusk. Ilya |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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I chose the Kahles because I thought they were more rugged and for my eyes they had a better view. Look at them side by side before you decide. They are both good choices.
ranburr |
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holzauge
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/22/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 48 |
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Have a look at the IOR 7x40mm Porro prisms. The configuration is easy to hold steady for extended
scanning and I was startled by the optical quality. I bought a pair this summer that I've used for eastern varmints and deer hunting. I am very well pleased. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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I also own IOR 7x40 binos and I am extremely pleased with them. Optically, they work better for my eyes or at least as well as anything else I've ever tried. One of the most impressive things is how good the depth perception is compared to most roof binoculars.
However, they weigh 32 oz. I know of quite a few people who consider that to heavy for hunting. Personally, I use a carry system from Crooked Horn Outfitters (there is a bunch of them out ther from Burris et al) and the weight does not bother me in the slightest. Pentax SP 8x43 weigh 24oz and 8x42 Kahles 27oz.
If weight is an issue, Pentax SP binos are probably the way to go.
Ilya Edited by koshkin |
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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If you are looking for a rugged pair of binoculars then that would be those made by Steiner. Other members of this forum will tell your that optically, the Steiners don't equal those made by Kahles, Zeiss Pentax and a few others. I don't agree. Steiner makes a 8x42 roof prism named the Predator that has specific lens coatings than enhance the colors of "game", the red/brown color spectrum which no other manufacturer makes. I have a pair, and not only do I think that their optics are great, the Predator lens coatings work as advertised. Also, to your point of durability, Steiner makes binoculars that pass then the highest tests for shock proofing and waterproofing. I think you would be very happy with these binoculars. Even Chris, the forum Guru will attest to the hunting advantage that the Predator lens coatings will give you. Buy a pair, and if you don't agree, return them for a pair of Kahles 8x42 which seem to be favored from an optical standpoint by other members of this great source of information. Good luck, and may all your hunts be successful.
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gremlin
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/16/2004 Location: left of center Status: Offline Points: 115 |
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Rugged hunting binoculars that work great in low-light, focus fast, offer great eye relief, and give a sharp enough image to satisfy even the most demanding birder all for $650 (or a hundred less off of the sample list)?
Kahles, Kahles, Kahles, or Kahles.
Search for Kahles posts here in Optics Talk Binoculars and you should find numerous recommendations for the Kahles brand.
Pick your poison-10x or 8x, 42mm or 32mm. You can't go wrong.
Just my two cents,
Take the long way home. |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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Just used a pair of Steiner's new 10x50 NightHunter XP binoculars to harvest this beautiful elk. We used Predators to find the elk in the brush and trees and once we were able to get closer we used the NightHunters to judge. The individual eye focus worked great for scanning vast distances quickly and seeing through heavy brush. I don't think anyone will argue the fact that Steiner is the most rugged binocular made....probably why over 90 militarys world wide use them.
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Grubbs
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/18/2004 Status: Offline Points: 134 |
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Great bull! Where did he come from? I have a private land bull tag on land adjoining the Jicarilla this year. I wish it were tomorrow. |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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Saskatchewan, Canada
Good luck and watch out for those crazy Indians buzzing their fence line in helicopters.
Edited by Chris |
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Grubbs
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/18/2004 Status: Offline Points: 134 |
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Just curious, was this a high fence operation?
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