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Steiner Predator Extreme or Leupold McKinley?

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pods8 View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/26/2014 at 13:55
I'm looking to upgrade my zen ray vista 8x42s. My usage is hunting in while lots of hiking is involved (colorado). With some current deals running a couple candidates in mind are:

Steiner Predator Extreme 8x42, 26.5oz ~$290 currently. My thought are moderate cost, sounds like good glass, the eye guards seem like they'd help out in glassing, a bit lighter. No idea how well the CAT technology works, if it does great but I'm not buying for that.

Leupold BX-4 McKinley HD (older model) 29oz ~$390 currently. $100 more, a few more ounces to carry on my neck/in my jacket, sounds like great glass, some complaints on the eye guard fit.


Any sage advice on the above or other deals lately I might not have noticed to consider?

Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pods8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2014 at 14:03
Steiner 381' FOV, Leupold (8x42) 425' and sounds like 90% is quite clear with 75% being really crisp in reports. Haven't heard a similar comparison on the steiner other than folks saying its crisp glass.
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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: February/26/2014 at 19:18
The McKinley is a very good glass and should reasonably be expected to perform above the level of lesser price glass, which it does.  However...however...you need to know those out sized eye cups may well be a deal breaker.  The new McKinley with smaller diameter eye cups and slimmer barrels due to reducing the excessive amount of rubber armor, should be...should be...out in just a few days.

Leupold got enough feedback from users to slim up the binocular. They got few to no complaints on its construction or the way it performed optically, which is why it remains optically unchanged.

One need to keep in mind that when a binocular does not fit your face and eyes properly it is all too likely that the negative comments that result are the result of some eye alignment issues and not optical issues with the design.

So IF the original McKinley fits you OK, you will have a grin from ear to ear.  If not...no grin.  Order the original McKinley from a source with a good return policy. They are definitely a try before you buy proposition.

If you are reasonably happy with the Vista, the ZEN ED 3 is a very good option and a good step upwards.  The Kruger Caldera is a good fit in the price range too.

By the way, welcome to Optics Talk! Big Smile


Edited by Klamath - February/26/2014 at 19:25
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/26/2014 at 21:47
+1  & welcome to the OT!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pods8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2014 at 09:19
Thanks for the welcomes, been lurking (I'm sure many do, great site!).

I wonder if my local cabelas has the older Mckinley's in stock to check out, I'll have to see.

Did some reading on the Kruger, sounds nice but also with some QAQC issues initially, not sure if I'd want to pull the trigger when something like the ED3 you've also mentioned has most bugs worked out at this stage. More reading/stewing.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2014 at 12:26
Originally posted by pods8 pods8 wrote:

Thanks for the welcomes, been lurking (I'm sure many do, great site!).

I wonder if my local cabelas has the older Mckinley's in stock to check out, I'll have to see.

Did some reading on the Kruger, sounds nice but also with some QAQC issues initially, not sure if I'd want to pull the trigger when something like the ED3 you've also mentioned has most bugs worked out at this stage. More reading/stewing.

If you can check at someplace that has a large selection, that works to your advantage.  Talking about others than SWFA on this SWFA site won't work to your advantage Big Smile.

There is always a lot of reading and stewing about optics selection.  The thing is the differences between various levels is getting less and less all the time.  Talking differences is often akin to questions such as..."if a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?".  There is almost never a clear cut "winner" at any price point.  I say almost never because I have been working a new Leupold Mojave 8x32 over the last few days which clearly (pun intended) kicks butt. 

So the thing to do is when you get to your local outlet is to take your time.  Look over whatever they have that is in your price range.  Be sure to take whatever the person behind the counter tells you with a very large grain of salt, as they very often have no clue this side of the pearly gates what they are talking about.

Pay particular attention to issues like how the binocular fits you, how the eye cups fit your face, how well the eye relief matches your eyes.  A good binocular is a lot like a good rifle.  You should be able, with both to mount the instrument with closed eyes and your target should be front and center when you open your eyes.  You might have to buy two with the idea of returning the loser.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pods8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2014 at 19:55
Don't worry cabelas is too expensive to buy from. ;)
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