OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Other Optics > Binoculars
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Time to upgrade - Recommendations welcome
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Time to upgrade - Recommendations welcome

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
SC sportsman View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/25/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 30
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SC sportsman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Time to upgrade - Recommendations welcome
    Posted: April/19/2019 at 20:29
I've been hunting for the last 10-12yrs with a pair of 8x42 porro prism binoculars that I won as a door prize at a local sporting event.  They are branded as Wind River and say imported by Leupold on the back of the focus knob.  I never used binoculars before I got these but won't hunt without them now.  I recently received a bonus and would like to use part of it to upgrade to better binos.  They will be used for deer hunting (rifle and bow).  The vegetation is really thick in my area so I will seldom be glassing over 250 yards.  Therefore, I don't really want anything over 8x.  I guess I'm really just looking to gain better clarity and low light performance.

I've been looking at the Meopta Meopro and Vortex Vipers, both in 8x42 configuration.  Do you guys think these will be a noticeable upgrade from what I'm using or will I need to step up to the Meostar/Razor line to see an appreciable difference?  I haven't been able to compare any of these side by side, but I think I lean more to Meopta vs Vortex. $1k would definitely be on the upper end of what I'm willing to spend, but I also don't want to spend $500ish on the Meopro/Vipers and not be able to tell a difference from what I have.  

Also, what are your thoughts on the Maven B3 6x30s?  I definitely like the size and weight of these better and the exit pupil would only be slightly smaller with these at 6x so I don't think low light performance would suffer too much.  Am I wrong in thinking these would be a good option as well?

Thanks in advance.
Back to Top
coyote95 View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: January/24/2009
Location: michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coyote95 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2019 at 07:02
https://www.samplelist.com/meopta-8x42-meostar-b1-binocular-demo-b.html 
SC these fit the bill and get good reviews. 

"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
Back to Top
coyote95 View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: January/24/2009
Location: michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coyote95 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2019 at 07:09
https://www.samplelist.com/zeiss-8x42-conquest-hd-binocular-demo-b-2.html 
Here is another one that would work.  
Every piece of glass purchased  from sample list in demo b has been like brand new !
"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
Back to Top
mike650 View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar

Joined: May/14/2006
Location: West of Rockies
Status: Offline
Points: 14569
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2019 at 07:22
those are two excellent suggestions Kevin, I’d lean toward the Meoptas.
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
Back to Top
SC sportsman View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/25/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 30
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SC sportsman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/20/2019 at 15:50
Thanks for the advice guys.  I notice the 8x meostars don’t come in HD.  That doesn’t make any sense to me but I guess it is what it is.  Would that matter much?  

Any insight on the 6x30 Mavens or would you guys recommend I stick with 8x42?
Back to Top
coyote95 View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: January/24/2009
Location: michigan
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coyote95 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2019 at 07:27
I would stick with the 8x42 for a one pair go to glass but I also have the 6x30,8x33,7x42,10x42 that i can use depending. Smile   
"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2019 at 10:45
If you use 8x now and are comfortable with that, I would stick with that magnification and upgrade to the Meostar.  That will get you into near alpha performance range.

6x30 Maven is a nice little binocular, but for most people 6x is something they have as a second or backup binocular. They light and steady and great for glassing when you are less than steady yourself. I used the now discontinued Vortex viper 6x32 that way.

Ilya
Back to Top
SC sportsman View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/25/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 30
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SC sportsman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2019 at 20:33
Thanks guys.  I decided to go with the Meoptas that coyote posted the link to.  I've ordered from SWFA several times before, but this will be my first purchase off the sample list.  Fingers crossed!

I stopped in my local hardware store yesterday.  They didn't have the Meostars, but did have a 10x42 MeoPro HD.  Just looking through them in the store, they appeared to be a significant upgrade to the pair I have been using.  I'm thinking the Meostars I ordered are gonna be even better but I'm not sure how much since they don't have the HD glass.  I guess I'll find out.


Back to Top
Sparky View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire


Joined: July/15/2007
Location: SD
Status: Offline
Points: 4569
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2019 at 21:07
Originally posted by SC sportsman SC sportsman wrote:

Thanks guys.  but this will be my first purchase off the sample list.  Fingers crossed!


I think that you will be very pleased.
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2019 at 07:58
I have found that the samplelist stuff is normally better than I expected when buying used stuff.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
tahqua View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Have You Driven A Ford Lately?

Joined: March/27/2006
Location: Michigan, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 9042
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2019 at 10:29
My Meostar 10x42 are not HD and are very good for my use. I use them daily for wildlife watching in and around cover dawn to dusk. The 8x42 will be better for general hunting being easier to hold steady and easier to get behind with the larger exit pupil.
Doug
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.621 seconds.