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Hunting binos-Steiner Predator 8x30’s?

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bowkill1978 View Drop Down
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Joined: August/16/2005
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bowkill1978 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hunting binos-Steiner Predator 8x30’s?
    Posted: August/16/2005 at 09:15

Hello everyone.  I've read every word on this forum about binoculars and still cannot decide what kind I should get.  I'm looking for a hunting bino.  I won't be taking them to ball games, birdwatching, etc.  These are strictly for hunting.  As much as I'd like to have a pair of Leica's or Swaro's my wife would divorce me.  So I'm looking for something around $300-$400.  From everything I've read the Bushnell Legends are what I would need.  With that being said, my wife heard me mention that I wanted a pair of Bushnell's so she went out and bought me a pair of Trophy's.  Nice gesture but I want a better pair.  What I'm looking for is a 8x with a 30-32mm objective.  The reason is simply because I want a pair in the 20-25 oz. range.  I would prefer a roof prism but since I'll only be hunting I was considering a pair of Steiner Predator 8 X 30's ( $250 ).  Would these be a good choice?  Should I keep my Trophy's?  Go for the Legends?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

Bradley

bowkill1978@hotmail.com 

I've hunted almost everyday of my life, the rest were just wasted.
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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: August/16/2005 at 13:32

Keep the Trophys so that you have something you can loan hunting buddies, your wife, or for your kids to use.  The Busnell Legend series includes an 8X32 model which my younger brother uses and with which he is quite pleased. I personally find them a little dim at first and last light and so prefer my 8X Pentax with its 42mm objective lens. Brunton makes an 8X & 10X Eterna model with a 32mm objective that's quite good, though a bit more spendy than the Bushnell.

 

I have heard good things about Steiners in general, but I wouldn't buy one (at least not their porro prism models of which the 8X30 Predator is one) because I don't like the individual focus mechanism they use on the eyepieces.

 

Leupold offers their WindRiver line, with models in your price range.  Nikon has the Monarch series. Pentax has their DCF SP and XPseries', though they might be a bit beyond your stated budget. There really is no lack of good options for you in your price range. You just have to get out and find the one that fits you best.

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/19/2005 at 13:31
I have not personally viewed through a pair of the 8x30 Predator's, however, Steiner's sports focus is one of the reasons that I think gives them an advantage over the competition. Once set for your eye's, they will be in focus from 20 yrds. to infinity which is a huge advantage over manual focus binoculars. Did you ever try to focus a roof prism in very low light hunting conditions?. With the Steiner's you will not have that problem. I am speaking from experience since I own several pair of Steiner's, both poro and roof prism. On the other hand, the roof prism models are sharper for overall viewing. Further, and probably most important are the Predator lens coatings. This is not some advertising hype. They really work as stated over regular broadband coated binoculars. For the price and your intended purpose, I think you will be very pleased.
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