Binocular

[rover4x4]

Can some of you recommend some binoculars for <500$. I will mostly be using them for looking at birds and trees. I delineate wetlands so I would be interested in some that were relatively compact that would fit in my field vest and tough. I work with a fellow that has a bitchin pair of Swavoroskis, they were close to a grand.

 

[Ballah06]

A couple years back i picked up a set of Leupolds. Great binos. They were right around 500 if not more though.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-10x50mm-tactical-binoculars.html

Same place i got mine from, the pair listed is the one i have.

 

[rover4x4]

I found those Leupold golden rings on the Sierra Trading post, its looking like thats what it iwll be.

 

[Ballah06]

I found those Leupold golden rings on the Sierra Trading post, its looking like thats what it iwll be.

It might be less on a different site, i ve ordered that pair when i was overseas. Mine got a mil reticle in it.

 

[KevinNY]

You can find used Swarovski 8x30 SLC's for around 500 if you are patient. Amazing glass.

 

[bmohan55]

I love my Leupold Katmia, small, light and great field of vision. Great for bird watching, I got the 6 x 32's and don't really miss the added magnification I had from my 12 x 50's.

 

[bri]

Not sure what the warranty is on them. I swear by my swarovski. Waterproof, shockproof lifetime warranty. For that money though you can only get the 10x25.

On a 5 week trip about 6 years into their life, I forgot mine were in the back of my pack when I loaded it in the disco and shut the rear cargo door on them. They were usable for the rest of a trip as monocular only (bent them, not broken).

I sent them to Swarovski USA, they fixed in about 2 weeks time and they are still like new and about 11 years old. Used them sailing, wheeling, packing you name it.

The optics are amazing. They are 10x25 and will take in as much light as many of not all 10x50 (except for maybe Lieca, Nikon or another great optical maker).

You cannot get better binocs, IMO. And if you need something rugged and backed by warranty these are the ones.

 

[GotRovr]

Swarovski..... hands down

I love my 8.5x40 EL's,..... eye relief, edge to edge field of view, clarity, low light,....... simply the best

I can spot targets easily into the early morning glare that my Nikon and Leupold shooting optics struggle at.

 

[rover4x4]

I will likely get the leupold gold rings. I want a compact size that will fit in the pocket of my field vest. I know the Leupold is American and has a lifetime warranty.

 

[bri]

But check the warranty. Many binocs will be toast if you drop them. Usually the swavoski live through minor spills, but if not, mail them in for repair.

I went through about 2 pairs of $150-350 binoc before I realized that lifetime water and shock proof warranty is worth the extra bucks. So far paid for itself once AND you have the finest optics on earth.

 

[kennith]

How the heck is it that nobody ever thinks of Steiner?

http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/index.html

Steiner: Identifying targets for final precision delivery of munitions since, well, a long damn time ago.

There have been many missing planes, buildings, tanks, enemies, and various other objects that were "last seen" through a set of these binoculars.

http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/military/210.html

I've been issued a set of these more than once, and was very happy with them. It's one of the few pieces of gear I completely approved of. You can get the same model with a built in compass display, if you like, or just the plain version. I own a set now, myself, and I have not regretted the purchase one bit.

They cost me 300 dollars at boater's world, but I'm sure you can catch a deal on the net. They are very durable. I think the look fairly cool as well, if that matters.

They have many different sizes, but all of their offerings are great.

These are easily comparable to more expensive civilian bird-watching models.

Minor spills? Bugger that. If I can't drop them in the ocean, they aren't good enough for me.

Check out the various models these guys have to see the more pocket-sized models. They have binoculars of many types. Some are designed to make certain colors stand out, so check the model numbers carefully before buying.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[wyorover]

before you buy the leupold look at the nikon I use swavorski 10x50,10x56 and their hd spoting scope love them what i dont love about them is the price. my son has nikon and we bought my father​

inlaw a nikon spoting scope side by side with my swavorski its sick
how close they are. leupold makes great rifle scopes but their bios ???
look at the nikon side by side then go to sportsmanguid.com or cheaperthandirt.com to buy.

 

[rover4x4]

I ended up with some Swarovski 10x25s they are pretty sweet.