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how to choose

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KKBRJ View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/07/2007 at 18:51
I need a new set of binoculars for hunting. Some of the one I am interested in are nikon monarch atb
bushnell discover
leupold pinnacle
swift premier ultra lite
steiner predator
I have thought about the used ones on the samplelist also.
These will be used for open county hunting should I go with 8 or 10 power?
I have swift rifle scopes and am very fond of them, and do not have a preference of roof or porro. I just want the best glaas for the money I spend. Thanks for your replies.
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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: April/09/2007 at 07:29
The Nikon Monarch offers a lifetime no fault warranty which I think is the way to go since every pair of binoculars I have owned has met with tragedy.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
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ND2000 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 08:19

KKBRJ -

 

Looks like you are in the $300-$400 price range with that list.  Given that, I would get a pair of porro prisms, based on your comment of "I just want the best glass for the money I spend".  You will get much better optical quality at that price in a porro than in the roof prisms that you reference above.

 

I think you will find 8x to be plenty of power, particularly in the low-to-mid priced range of the market.  As you increase magnification, the optical quality deteriorates fairly rapidly in that part of the market.

 

Your best bet is to go to a local store and try out as many pairs as you can.

 

ND2000

You either get what you pay for or what you deserve.
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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 08:54

ND brought up some excellent points and a very thoughtful suggestion. I tend to agree. However, I have recently had the opportunity to try another Vortex model, the Viper, and must honestly suggest it considering your price range and model list. These very well may be my hunting binoculars come this fall.

 

Points for the Viper:

 

Handling is excellent. They feel very much like the Nikon Monarch in terms of overall ergonomics.

 

Image quality is quite good for the price. The brightness level is the first thing that strikes you followed quickly by how sharply they resolve. Vortex advertises XD "ED style" glass with these bins and I do not doubt it. Field flatness and edge distortion are also fairly good.

 

The focusing speed is a little fast but the actual tension in the knob itself is perfect in my opinion. It is very similar to the Nikon Ventuer LX 8x42 in this regard.

 

The eyecups are the click-stop style and they hold very well in place. I am forced to utilize them on their first setting because the eye relief is so generous.

 

Negatives....

 

- At about 360 feet they are wider than most of the $300-$400 model 8x42 bins out there but noticeably narrower than some of the $800-$1000 models.

 

- Despite the use of ED style glass there is noticeable color fringing around the outer 1/3rd of the image. The center 2/3rds is fairly free of it.

Frank
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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 11:08

FrankD,

 

What happened to your Vortex Razor?

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/11/2007 at 19:34

lucznik,

 

Sorry I did not reply sooner but this site is banned while I am at work and with two little boys running around at home I just do not get a chance to get on daily.

 

I still have the Razor as well as the Meostar. I just cannot seem to part with either of them at this point. They share so many attractive features and some different ones as well.

 

Frank
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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/12/2007 at 10:46

So Frank, how would you compare the Razors with the Vipers? 

 

By the way, be  careful about printing.  Your boys have placed a purple crayon in your feed-tray. 



Edited by lucznik
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/12/2007 at 11:23

No worries. That printer hasn't been used in years. I refuse to pay the current prices for inkjet cartridges.

 

As for the comparison, two totally different animals.

 

As mentioned the Vipers are very similar to the Monarchs in terms of overall size, weight and feel but with a much more precise focusing knob. The focus is fairly fast but with better tension on the focusing knob it is not as annoying as some other models.

 

- Vipers are brighter than the Razors

- Razors have a noticeably wider field of view

- Vipers and Razors have about the same level of edge distortion

- Vipers have a somewhat flatter field of view

- Razors control color fringing much better though both utilize XD "ED" style glass

- Razors have a slightly sharper image but not by much

Frank
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