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Bushy Elite 8X43 & EL vs SLC

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BIGBEAR1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BIGBEAR1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bushy Elite 8X43 & EL vs SLC
    Posted: March/04/2009 at 01:35
I shoot my rifles with Zeiss Conquest, and of course I really like them.  I own Nikon Monarch Binos, very good for the price.  Was looking at the EL Swaros and wondered how they compared to the swaros.  So my questions are:

Will the Bushy Elites perform as well as my Conquest, I do have two Elite 3-9X40 riflescopes, how do they compare vs the Elite Binos?

Is it worth upgrade from Monarchs to the Elites or do I need to step up to Swaro to feel a signifigant upgrade on performance?

Lastly, are the El's worth the money vs SLC?

Thank you so much guys.  I really need some help.
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bird_hunter66 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bird_hunter66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2009 at 06:42
BIGBEAR1, I was in the same situation that you are in about two years ago.  I started out with a pair of Kahles 8x42 and a friend of mine that I hunted with talked me into selling them to him.  At the time I didn't have the money to step up to a better pair so I purchased a pair of Nikon Monarch 8x42 and kept them for about two years.  I then sold them and bought myself a pair of Swarovski SLK in 7x42 and it was a great purchase for myself.  They fit my hands perfectly, have the same glass in them as the ELs for about $700 less money.  I love the way they feel in my hands.  I don't ever plan on selling them and they should last me for a long long time.  You can definately see the difference between the Nikon Monarch's and the Swarovski's at dusk and dawn.  I can not only tell if it is a buck but I can also give you a point count and how long the tines are.  Plus Swarovski has the best customer service in the business bar none!  Good luck in your search. birdhunter66
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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: March/04/2009 at 15:00

A search of this site will reveal a review I did of the Bushnell Elite vs. the Swarovski EL some time ago.  The short version is that I preferred the Bushnell over the Swarovski.  The optical differences were negligible and the Elite was smaller, lighter, more comfortable, offered better styling, AND cost 1/2 as much. 

Swarovski just has never really "tripped my trigger."  Maybe their new HD model will change my mind, but I'm not holding my breath.
 


Edited by lucznik - March/04/2009 at 15:01
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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JGRaider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/05/2009 at 16:17
I agree with lucznik......my 10x42 elites are fabulous. 
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CROWSNIPER View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CROWSNIPER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 11:17
I have been using the 10x43 elites for a couple years now and i really like them ,but i have to wonder how much better the swaro/leica binos can be.....should i step up?
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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: April/02/2009 at 13:42
I tend to agree with Luczink too.  I have Monarchs (now relegated to spare/loaner).  I have looked fairly seriously at the Elites, and they are a lot better binocular than the Monarch, so that is an upgrade that will not disappoint you.  They are also the lightest premium grade binocular and if you are weight conscious that is a plus for them too.
 
It is really an apples to oranges to compare scopes to binoculars.  Different optical systems, use of one eye instead of two etc.  But I think if you are happy with Conquest scope optics, the Elite binocular will not seem a let down.  You really do not need to spend any more money than the Elites to get a really good binocular.
 
Crowsniper,  if you are satisfied with the 10x43 Elite, I would not step up.  I do not believe the optical difference you get for the extra $1,000 you pay for it is there. 


Edited by Klamath - April/02/2009 at 13:45
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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SChunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SChunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 16:06
Where would the vortex razor/stokes fit in this discussion vs. the Bushnell elites?
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CROWSNIPER View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CROWSNIPER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 16:15
Originally posted by SChunter SChunter wrote:

Where would the vortex razor/stokes fit in this discussion vs. the Bushnell elites?
Good question , i like the razors too..
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 19:36
The Elites are really good binoculars, and have been since they were Bausch & Lomb Elites back in the early 1990's. It's pretty hard to find better optics in binoculars--and the differences are slight when you do. I own several top-notch binoculars (Swarovski EL, Zeiss FL, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Premier, etc.) and the Elites are not embarrassed by any of that company.
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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: April/02/2009 at 22:50
Have to agree with John B and lucznik about the Elite bino's. Alot of folks don't give them their due cause they can't get past the Bushnell name. Same goes for the Elite riflescopes.

Roy
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2009 at 08:57
Yeah, they're still made in the same factory the B&L Elites were, but technology has marched onward since then, and the latest Bushnell Elites (whether binoculars or scopes) are a little better than the B&L's were.
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JGRaider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2009 at 09:58

Have either of you two (JB or RDFinn) looked through the 80mm ed elite spotter?  Thanks.

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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2009 at 10:03
Not yet, but if it is anything like the other large-objective Elites it should be very, very good.
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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: April/03/2009 at 10:16
I have not. I still own the 60mm B&L Elite spotter.
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SChunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SChunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2009 at 10:45
Roy, how would you compare the elite with the razor?
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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: April/03/2009 at 21:08
I have not compared them side by side so I really couldn't say.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fraser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/04/2009 at 19:05
I have the 10X43 elites and think they are very good for the price. Here is a link to a very recent review putting the elites just below the best of the best at about half the price and even above some other respectable glass. http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2008roundup/binoculars_high-end.html
Buy the best you can afford. Period!
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