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Best 8 x 42 under $1,000

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wesgar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wesgar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Best 8 x 42 under $1,000
    Posted: October/07/2017 at 08:47
Intended use: Deer hunting; so low light performance and resolution are the most important qualities.

Candidates:

Leica Trinovid
Meopta Meopro
Zeiss Conquest
Tract Toric
Maven B1
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m1911 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2017 at 05:51
You didn't list Vortex Razor 8x42's, but I have three sets of Razor binoculars all made in Japan and really like them....

8x42's are $999.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2017 at 11:48
I have the Vortex Razor HD... it's great. I like it!!!
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2017 at 12:24
Vortex has great great glass, very appealing to my eyes like Swaro.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/09/2017 at 09:31
The Toric is at least as good as anything you listed, as well as the Razor HD.  I've had my Toric side by side with the Conquest HD, Razor HD, Meostar HD, SLCWB, and Gold Ring HD.  You will have to spend $2000 to get anything better, and even then it isn't much.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2017 at 10:38
To add to the list, and perhaps to the confusion, consider the Stryka S9, GPO Passion HD, Nikon Monarch HG, and the already mentioned Vortex Razor.
The Stryka S9 is s pretty interesting binocular.  It has a decided, and noticeable field use difference in brightness in , dark, dreary, gloomy conditions.  As you advance into twilight it remains, like the others just a good overall twilight performer.  I was using the 8x42 S9 last night on a hunt where my niece bagged a pretty decent large fork horn.  The area here has been smoke clouded like living in fog.  Yesterday was smoky as hell, midday visibility half a mile or less and you could feel the smoke in the air, along with going into twilight.  I was more than impressed with it. 
My experience with this class of glass, which aside form the Trinovid and the Nikon HG is pretty much all of them, says aside from the gloomy condition performance of the S9 is that there is not a real field Woolworth difference in any of them.  The Toric, which I have as well, is the winner in overall value.  I pretty much agree with JG's comments on it.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2017 at 13:30
Steve.

When are you going to get your hands on a Sig Sauer Zulu7 8x42 for a review?  Big Grin

https://www.sigsauer.com/store/zulu7-8x42-mm-hdx.html

https://www.fieldandstream.com/ten-new-binoculars-ranked-and-rated

I'd like to take a look through this one...

https://www.sigsauer.com/store/zulu9-9x45-mm-hdx-1.html


Edited by Bird Watcher - October/11/2017 at 13:40
I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wesgar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2017 at 13:35
Thanks for the replies so far. Wonder who is making the Sig Sauers?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2017 at 14:50
Sig Sauer Zulu 7 & 9 binoculars are assembled in Japan.
I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gdpolk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/11/2017 at 22:15
You may also consider the Swarovski 8x30 CL. They are a little smaller than an 8x42 but the glass is very nice and plenty bright for +/-30min of sunrise/sunset. It's what I use and I have ZERO complaints.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2017 at 09:41
I have-no plans at this time to look at the Sig Sauer.   As for the 9x45, it is likely to see the Maven B2 comments.
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/12/2017 at 09:45
The Sigs are 99.9% likely to be all from Kamakura of Japan. Any body who has handled more than one good Japanese binocular has probably held a Kamakura made glass.  KK is the source Zeiss uses for the Conquest HD  as but one example. 
Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote James@SWFA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/23/2017 at 14:22
I've owned both the Vortex Razor's and the Zeiss Conquest and personally prefer the Zeiss.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gdpolk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/12/2017 at 20:58
I've been very pleased with my 8x Swarovski CL Companions. It's easy to hunt dark thirty to dark thirty with these in heavy timber for me. They outlast several other 8x40/8x42s that I've seen in terms of brightness and are as clear or more clear than almost any hunting grade $1000 bino that I've put my eyes to. However the best part to me is their physical size and weight are a definite downsize feomnyour average pair of 8x42s which makes them easier to pack around and clear my bowstring better. They aren't the best 8x I've used but they are in the top two for $1000 glass and are so very small that for my uses as a mobile bowhunter they were the clear winner in terms of features, quality, size, and weight regardless of price point. I'd rather hunt with them than even the spendy Swarovski 8x rangefinding binos.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote probably Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/01/2017 at 00:09
agree on the Swaro 8x30 CL's.  fantastic binocular. 

In 30 yrs of hunting Ive taken many WTB over 120", 3 over 140" & 2 over 160;I own most of the glass and guns that people argue over. So I go online for friendly chat but rude know-it-alls can bite me
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote probably Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/14/2017 at 13:09
I carry 8x30 CL's.  They are far more packable than the excellent EL's, and the glass will do anything you ask it to in legal light and beyond. 
In 30 yrs of hunting Ive taken many WTB over 120", 3 over 140" & 2 over 160;I own most of the glass and guns that people argue over. So I go online for friendly chat but rude know-it-alls can bite me
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Whitefire Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/18/2017 at 19:33
Ditto prob.
Wf
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