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New Binocular Purchase Please Help |
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jbroadnax
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/04/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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Posted: September/11/2006 at 08:14 |
I am about to puchase a new pair. I want quality optics!! 8X30 or 8X42. Cost is somewhat of a concernern but I am aware that I will have to shell out some cash for some good glass. I was looking at the Kahles 8X42, Zeiss Conquest 8X30, Swarovski SLC's, just to name a few. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.
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jbroadnax
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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The biggest obstacle that exists for getting quality optics is convincing the potential consumer that, with optics you really do get exactly what you pay for. This is not to say that you need to spend $2000 to get good glass but, you do (generally) have to spend more than $100. You have (seemingly) already conquered this hurdle so, now you get to join in on the debates as to which binocular is "the best." It's a never ending argument that usually revolves around some pretty fine "splitting of hairs."
The basic reality is that all of the optics you are looking at are quality instruments. Differences in brightness (assuming the same basic configuration,) levels of image distortion, visible optical abberations, etc. will be very slight and (depending on your level of optics experience, education, interest, etc) may not be noticeable at all. They all have excellent warranties and the customer service you will receive from the companies is going to be good as well. What you really need to be looking at is the ergonomics of each model. You do this by answering questions like:
These issues can all have a dramatic effect on the level of satisfaction you get from your new binocular but unfortunately, must be answered by you alone. Go to a optics dealer and try out as many as you can. Be meticulous and take notes. Then make your best choice for the one that offers you the most benefits with the fewest compromises.
In addition to your list, you may also want to take a look at:
Nikon Premier LXL Bushnell Elite Bushnell Discoverer Leupold Gold Ring Leupold WindRiver Pinnacles Pentax DCF SP Pentax DCF WP II Brunton Eterna
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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Along the lines of what lucznik already stated, the laws of diminishing returns really comes into play with bino's especially with the euro brands. Of the one's mentioned by lucznik, so many of the Japanese branded bino's are so close and in some cases equal to the top shelf euro's today that spending 1500 bucks is no longer necessary to have the very best available. If you spend say 4-5 hundred on a roof prism bino like the Bushnell Discoverer or Pentax SP for example, you will be getting 95% of the optical virtues of the 1200-1500 euro branded wonders. It is not because the euro's are so superior anymore rather than the Japanese being so much better than they were only 5 years ago. Also keep in mind that the euro branded bino's carry a higher price tag due to employee wages and import duties that have nothing to do with gains in optical performance. |
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