Bino Recommendation

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Kyboy

Kyboy

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Looking for opinions on what next Binoculars should be, looking to stay $1,000 less.

Currently have vortex diamondbacks just because they were cheap and I was in a pinch because my Leupold's had broke. Currently they are broke, (3rd time) and about to send them in and wanting to replace them with better quality.

Only experience I have is with Vortex and Leupold.

Recommendations?
 
I know this won't fit what you're looking for, but if $1,000 is already in the budget I'd recommend just going ahead and saving another $1,000 and buying a top end pair that'll last you a lifetime. I finally broke down last year and bought a very lightly used pair of Swaros from a member on here and haven't regretted the purchase for a single second.

In the $1,000 range I would think Tract Toric or Meopta Meopro would be your best bet. I have an older pair of Meopros that are great, but when I compare them side by side with the Swaros it's very clear why the Swaros are twice the price.
 
bowhunterfanatic said:
In the $1,000 range I would think Tract Toric or Meopta Meopro would be your best bet. I have an older pair of Meopros that are great, but when I compare them side by side with the Swaros it's very clear why the Swaros are twice the price.
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Agree with a lot of this and I have looked though a TON of them when I was in the market. Word of advise is look for reviews on birdwatching forums, those will really tell you a lot about the glass and clarity vs a hunting review. As hunters some of the fine details and different light isnt as often observed like it is on bird watchers.

100% agree on the Tract Torics, Awesome binos and if you wait till they go on sale a few times a year you can get them for under $750 pretty easy. For sure IMO the best glass in that $750 range and a great warrenty

After that Meopta are really good but can be a tad heavy and bulky. Zeiss Conquest are the other $1000 ones Id recommend. IMO Vortex and Leupold binos are pretty MEH for the price until you get into their Razor line (vortex) and Leupold just doesnt really have something equal to the $1000 range.

Now if you can save up and just get a used pair of Swaro EL or NL or Zeiss SFL then I dont think you would regret it.
 
Good luck with whatever you decide.

With my luck, I would pop for the Swaro's and trip and fall or drop them. Does their warranty include accidents?
 
REN said:
Agree with a lot of this and I have looked though a TON of them when I was in the market. Word of advise is look for reviews on birdwatching forums, those will really tell you a lot about the glass and clarity vs a hunting review. As hunters some of the fine details and different light isnt as often observed like it is on bird watchers.

100% agree on the Tract Torics, Awesome binos and if you wait till they go on sale a few times a year you can get them for under $750 pretty easy. For sure IMO the best glass in that $750 range and a great warrenty

After that Meopta are really good but can be a tad heavy and bulky. Zeiss Conquest are the other $1000 ones Id recommend. IMO Vortex and Leupold binos are pretty MEH for the price until you get into their Razor line (vortex) and Leupold just doesnt really have something equal to the $1000 range.

Now if you can save up and just get a used pair of Swaro EL or NL or Zeiss SFL then I dont think you would regret it.
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Appreciate the info. Do you have any experience with the Vortex Razor line? just wondering how much the quality is up, not just glass quality.
 
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Kyboy said:
Appreciate the info. Do you have any experience with the Vortex Razor line? just wondering up much the quality is up, not just glass quality.
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The Razor line is actually pretty good overall, if you find a good deal on a pair you will be happy with them. Id put Zeiss Conquest and some of the Meopta over them but everyones eyes are different. IF you have a chance to go somewhere and handle them and look though them I would. It always amazes me on binos how some people like certain agronomics while someone else likes the feel of others better.

Obviously thats not always possible but if someone is close by and has some options Id go at least handle them.
 
bowhunterfanatic said:
I know this won't fit what you're looking for, but if $1,000 is already in the budget I'd recommend just going ahead and saving another $1,000 and buying a top end pair that'll last you a lifetime.
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Agree. Furthermore, right now is great time of year to buy gently used second hand alpha binos. Few examples from Rokslide Optics forum that I frequent. Good luck!

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FLTENNHUNTER1 said:
Good luck with whatever you decide.

With my luck, I would pop for the Swaro's and trip and fall or drop them. Does their warranty include accidents?
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Once you get into "alpha" glass, they dont offer the same type of warranty like Vortex or cheaper options. Most come with combinations of 10 year or a 5 year fault free + 30 year defect etc. Granted once you are up in that range the quality is so high they dont really need to offer the same as lower end ones.

Ive also seen guys send stuff back to Swaro well after the 10 year and they took care of them. I have not seen many have issues with Swaro/Leica/Zeiss customer service or warranty repair stuff on that Alpha models.
 
Sierra trading post has the Vortex Razor UHD for around $1000 I believe. They're refurbished but still have Vortex warranty. They're pretty close to alpha glass
 
I just bought some mavens b3 8x30 about month ago really like them. Used out west turkey hunting and around the house. My buddy is a big birder and he thought they were really nice. My 2cents.
 

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