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recommendation (specific)

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ccoker View Drop Down
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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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2009 at 15:09
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.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2009 at 16:04
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.
Ted


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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2009 at 16:15
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2009 at 16:54
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
Steve
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2009 at 21:19
I came across something google searching that said something similiar on the monarch Xs
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 08:44
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.
Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2009 at 08:03
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2009 at 08:52
Originally posted by FrankD FrankD wrote:

If you could post a link to where the Monarch X is advertised as having ED/FL/HD glass then I would appreciate it.
 
 
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.
 
 
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2009 at 09:21
I'm with FrankD on this one.  In your situation I'd choose the Meopta.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2009 at 16:44
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/25/2009 at 19:20

Congrats on winning the gift certificates, I'm sure you'll enjoy your Nikon.

"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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2009 at 19:26
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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