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Quality Binos Or Spotter

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muleyspook View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: August/18/2011
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muleyspook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Quality Binos Or Spotter
    Posted: October/12/2011 at 22:01
Im getting ready to buy some new glass, Im set a budget in which to get a spotter and bins.  Its gonna be a matter of a quality set of binoculars vs a quality spotter. (Swaro,leica, and zeiss are out of the question)
Im set right around 2000 to get it all done(plus a couple extras) Im looking at the Meopta Meostar 10x42's with a 600-700$ spotter. 

If you advise me other wise im Thinking lupy gold ring 12-40 spotter with a 300-500$ pair of binoculars.

I would like to know what you guys think.
 thanks
-Jordan
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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: October/12/2011 at 22:51
There is surely no need to spend over your budget to get what you need.  As far as binoculars are concerned there is no reason in the world (since you have ruled out the expensive alphas) to spend more than $500 on good binoculars.  I think everybody knows my personal favorites are the ZEN ED 3, Kruger Caldera, and Theron Wapiti APO-ED.  I coul;d well add the Vortex Talon or Viper HD as well.  None of those will cost much more than $450, some much less, except the Viper is a bit more.  If you can't see what you need with one of these, the binocular is not the problem.
 
Spotter selection is somewhat more problematic with your post as you don't really indicate how you will use them.  Lots of packing them around in a pack dictates a different spotter than one you won't pack so much.
 
I would advise binoculars first.  You'll use them 10x more than you will the spotter.
Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron

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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: October/13/2011 at 08:28
I agree with Klamath spend the money this year on the Binoculars because you'll be using them much much more then a spotting scope.  The sample list usually had a good selection of used spotting scopes that will save you a lot of money.  
D. Holmes
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FrankD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/13/2011 at 09:17
I tend to agree with the others. This actually reminds me of a recent discussion I had with another forum member.
 
We both tended to agree that if you are going to spend money on new binoculars, and you want superb optics, then either spend $400-$500 or spend $1500+. There really isn't any optical improvement in the $500-$1500 range...assuming new and not used models.
 
Having said that the Meoptas are an excellent binocular and built like the proverbial tank. The original Meostars have been heavily discounted lately to make way for the ED glass version of the same bin. I have seen the 8x42s discounted as low as $715 at one location. If you are set on the 10x42 configuration then consider the Cabelas Euro. Same binocular as the Meostar but they typically sell for $100 less...plus they are heavily discounted now too to make way for the Euro HD. $700 is what I would expect to spend on them.
 
As for spotters....I have been sticking with two 80 mm models for the last three or four months...the Zen Ray ED2 and the Theron Optics Mag82. Both offer excellent optics that are comparable with spotters costing $1500-$2500. Both typically sell for between $900 and $1200 depending on what eyepiece configuration you purchase them with. The Mag82 comes with a 30x wide angle eyepiece and a 25-75x zoom. Both are very good.  The Zen Ray comes with either a 20-60x zoom (comparable to the Swarovski zoom) or a 25-50x wide angle zoom which I find exceptionally good. You can also purchase a 30x wide angle eyepiece for about $140 aftermarket.
 
Those would be my two initial recommendations. At $700 for the Cabelas Euros and either $900 for the Theron Mag 82 or $1200 for the ZR ED2 either combination would be within your $200 budget and you wouldn't have to worry about every "upgrading" either choice.
 
Having said that you should also consider the binoculars that Steve mentioned above. They truly offer $1500+ plus image performance for between $350-$450. Good warranties as well.
 
If you are looking for a more compact spotting scope package then either the Theron Optics Saker 60 mm scope or the Celestron Regal 65 mm would be my suggestion. Both are very reasonably priced and their optical performance is several times above their price point.
 
Here is a link to a thread I posted on here several months ago with a comparison between the two previously mentioned spotting scopes and the 80 mm version of the Celestron Regal.
 


Edited by FrankD - October/13/2011 at 09:20
Frank
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