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HELP on Which Binocs???

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tshuntin View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/31/2004 at 19:50
I am getting ready to buy a new set of binocs.  I want to try to stay at $400 or under.  Please tell me which one of these you recommend the most.  I am getting 10x.  I am deciding between the Burris Signatures, Nikon Monarch ATB's, Leapold Wind River Olympics.  Those are my top three right now.  If there is one you recommend I would love to hear it and WHY??????  Also if there is anothe rbig standout let me know.  Thanks, TS
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ranburr View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/31/2004 at 21:50
What size objectives do you want?

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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/01/2004 at 18:32

The Pentax are the best bang for your buck under $400..

 

Pentax 10x42.....$298.99

 

Burris and Weaver are both tops in the closer to $400. range.

 

Burris Signature 10x50.....$369.95

 

Weaver Grand Slam 10.5x45.....$374.95

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tshuntin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tshuntin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2004 at 12:13

Ranbur, Anywhere in the 40-50 range. 

 

Chris, I read kind of a negative report on the Pentax HRII, but have read excellent reports on the SP's.  Those are out of my range right now though. 

 

I am leaning ahrd towards the burris.  Do you feel they are much better than the Monarch's and also the W-Riv Olympics?  Thanks a tone for your help.  I am getting ready to make my purchase in the next day or two.  Keep the info coming. 

 

PS. Love the site, love the prices!! 

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ranburr View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/02/2004 at 18:21

I believe I would go with a 30-32 objective range and get a better quality bino.  Kahles are on the sample list in you price range and you could also look at the Zeiss Conquest line up.

 

ranburr

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gremlin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/07/2004 at 17:08

I got to use a pair of Zeiss Conquests today and it was my first exposure to the line.  I found them to be very bright and easy to handle.  The particular pair I was using happened to be 12x50's (not a length I use very often, but all the same, a friend was loaning them to me rather than me buying them...).

 

I hadn't heard much about them that was terribly positive up to this point, but I have to say I thought they were a pretty good binocular.  They felt much more compact and light weight than the 12x50 Smith & Wesson (Hakko) roofs that I keep in my kit for those long reaches across a lake or skyline.  The impression that they left with me was a lightweight, bright, waterproof roof with very little chromatic aberration on dark objects against a light sky.

 

I was impressed.

 

I also L-O-V-E the Kahles 8x32 and 8x42's.  I have a Burris Signature rifle scope that I wouldn't part with even if somebody offered me retail price for it, they're that good in my eyes.  It's not that I don't like the Signature binoculars, but I don't like them as MUCH as I like the rifle scopes.  They're pretty good binos but I'm not certain my experience would put them in a class with the Kahles 8x32's for eye relief, field of view, or low light performance.

 

I like Leupold binoculars and I have a special liking for both the Pinnacle and Katmai series for different reasons--the Pinnacles for the optical quality and the Katmai for their practicality.  The Olympics always seem a little bit heavier, a little bit less brights, a little bit more bulky, a little bit... well, you get the idea.  They're good glasses but pale next to their cousins for different reasons.

 

I own a couple pair of Nikon's and have owned a pair of Monarchs in the past.  I won't own the Monarchs again.

 

Of those you listed and those that others have mentioned, I've gotta say, for my money, my $400 is either going towards the Kahles 8x32's or a pair of Zeiss Conquests...

 

Just my two cents...

 

Take the long way home.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2004 at 09:57

"I am leaning ahrd towards the burris.  Do you feel they are much better than the Monarch's and also the W-Riv Olympics?"

 

Most anything is better than the Monarch binoculars including the Burris.  I would pick them over the Olympics too.

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Acenturian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2004 at 00:10

I also belong to an Archery Forum where people discuss binoculars as well as other equipment.  Of course most will agree that the German Optics are the best but at a $$$ price.  What alot of people are talking about on that forum is  the new Carson Xm series or the slightly cheaper YK or Yukon series.  Many fellow bowman have written in and said that they can compete with the highend binoculars and they are fairly cheap. About $300.00 for the XM and $200.00 for the Yukons.

 

One said that they were clearer than the Leica's, and almost as clear as the $1,400 Zeiss.

 

I ordered a pair of Yukons when they come in I will compare them to my friends Zeiss and see how they stack up

If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2004 at 00:23
No offfense, but if someone could make a $200-$300 pair of binos that were better than Leica and Zeiss, then the Germans would be out of business in about an hour.  It is simply not possible.  I do believe that under ideal conditions that someone can look through a lower mid grade bino and think that the big boys were not all that much better.  But, when are hunting conditions ever under ideal conditions?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2004 at 13:57

None taken  however, I am just making a suggestion for people to check them out.  I haven't handled the Carson's yet, so I can't totally make the recommendation until I compare them to a pair of Nikons that I have along with my friends new Zeiss  However,  I do put m.re faith in what fellow hunters are saying then I do with advertisements in magazines and so far the comments have been possitive.  If anyone is interested go to Archerytalk.com go to the "search"  and type in "Carson" OR Binoculars and read up on the comments.

 

I disagree with the fact that if someone came out with a quality product that could compete with a higher price product that the higher priced company would go out of business.  The Porsche 911 is my all time favorite car, but a Corvette Z06 is a great car and a lot less money.  Both will out perform the average driver. 

 

I think that if someone has money to burn or your a professional guide or hunter by all means spend the cash.  But for the rest of us I am looking for the best bang for the buck.

If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous

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