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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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Posted: September/11/2009 at 15:00 |
OK..
so.. I won a contest at work and have money to spend via gift cards at two big box competitors, one has a fish in the name.. the other has Cab in the name as much as I would like to spend my money at SWFA, I can't so. with that said i need a recommendation and like John's recent article, I am getting paralysis analysis! use: hunting, deer and hogs (including night) budget: no more than 500 power, 8 or so I got a chance to test some Monarch 8.5x56 this past weekend at night and was very impressed with how bright and clear they were and they are on sale for like 339 the other option I saw I liked but haven't got to use was the Vortex Viper 8x42 for 499 one of the places has the relabled Meoptas for sale in the closeout room, but they are 10x42s, if they had a 7x42 Meopta for similar price (sub 400) I would probably jump on it thoughts? |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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The Viper glass had a little more resolution than the Monarch ATB 8x42s. However, if you're hunting in low light, the 6.59 mm exit pupil on those 8.5x56s would be great. Too bad they're not under the $50 rebate list. The closest Viper is the 8x50 (6.25 mm exit pupil) but over your budget. I haven't really seen any 7x42s under the price of the Meoptas that I'd consider. Only the 7x36 Zens.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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I would choose the Viper over the Monarch.
However, if they have the new Nikon Monarch X (not to be confused with the regular Monarch) 8.5X45, I've heard great things about it. I haven't seen this binocular personally, but it has ED glass and dielectric coated prisms, and is said to be a significant improvement over the standard Monarchs. It is only about $80 above your $500 limit.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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yeah, that is one I have considered as well
ultimately, I need to get down and check them out in person and hopefully take them outside at night or, buy several and keep the winner :) |
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Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
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To each their own, but as far as I am concerned Nikon has laid an egg with the Monarch X. They have dielectric coatings, but those I looked at at the Nikon booth in the NW Sportsman's Show were not ED. For the price they should be. For the price they should have had a better fov than the Monarch. For the price they really need better image improvement over the regular Monarch. Whoever put that idiot rod between the barrels needs one stuck in his ear.
The Vipers are better glass than the Monarch X as far as I am concerned. But just how is it you use binoculars? Is weight an issue, is low light a primary factor, how far away do you look?
The buy several idea has a lot of merit. Edited by Klamath - September/11/2009 at 16:56 |
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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron |
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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I came across something google searching that said something similiar on the monarch Xs
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FrankD
Optics Journeyman Joined: November/11/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 686 |
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If you could post a link to where the Monarch X is advertised as having ED/FL/HD glass then I would appreciate it.
Out of what you originally mentioned I would go for the discounted 10x42 Cab Euros. Yes, they are 10x but the build and optical quality really isn't matched under the $500 price point for what these two stores offer.
The Zeiss Conquest 8x30 (if you can find it in that same Bar Ca) would go under $500 but you mentioned nighttime viewing which, to me, means at least 42 mm glass and probably, preferrably, 50 mm in some cases.
The Leupold Olympic 10x50 was always one of my favorites when just looking at $300-$400 glass. They may be less expensive now.
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Frank
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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well, I went ahead and got the 8.5x56 Monarchs as they were on sale for 339 and I have used them before and compared against a Swarovski at night, they were very clear and bright.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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I'm the one who said that. I had seen a review of it in a magazine shortly after it was introduced that made that claim. I don't see it mentioned in any advertisement either, so it must not have ED glass or that would most certainly have been touted in the specs. Again, please understand that I have not seen these binoculars yet and made no recommendation beyond ccoker checking them out since they were close to his budget and supposedly an improvement over the Monarch. I too don't understand the decision to combine an open bridge design with a hinge shaft bisecting the entire center.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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I'm with FrankD on this one. In your situation I'd choose the Meopta.
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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like I said, I went with the Monarch 8.5x56 because I have used them at night and they were very impressive.. and I do a lot of night hog hunting....
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Congrats on winning the gift certificates, I'm sure you'll enjoy your Nikon. |
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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I got it in yesterday, very clear and very bright
having used it while hunting at night with Bill Wilson and his endorsement of them was enough for me I do a lot of night hunting and wanted the brightest I could get for a reasonable fee resolution looks good to me as well |
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