judging deer has become important to me. I need some better binos. Is it worth the money to step up to the Swarovski models? I mean they are like 2000 dollars. All the reviews are great but who would give 2k and then say they stink. Seriously I have the low level zeiss and am just wondering are the more expensive brands worth it in that last 15 minutes????
Let’s talk binos
- Thread starter muddyboots
- Start date
UTGrad
Well-Known Member
I have Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42s. They are considered entry level "alpha glass". They are in many reviews neck and neck with Swaros for hunting. They are very sharp, clear edge to edge and have excellent low light performance. Colors are true and chromatic aberration is virtually non-existent. Swaros are more $$$ but I think the value for hunting goes to the Zeiss Conquest.
That's what I have. I need something better.
backstraps
Well-Known Member
Id be interested in buying a used pair of Conquest if you upgrade
I'll keep that in mind.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Buy used swaros... thats what I did.
Got a pair of 8x30 SLCs for $500 for turkey hunting and a 10x42 ELs (that I bought on here from Andy) for $1100. Both worth every penny. And both hold value extremely well. I could sell either pair for the same or more than I paid for them despite using them dozens of days per year for the past 10 years. There just aren't any other binocs that truly compare.
Got a pair of 8x30 SLCs for $500 for turkey hunting and a 10x42 ELs (that I bought on here from Andy) for $1100. Both worth every penny. And both hold value extremely well. I could sell either pair for the same or more than I paid for them despite using them dozens of days per year for the past 10 years. There just aren't any other binocs that truly compare.
UTGrad
Well-Known Member
Might want to look at 8x56mm alpha glass if you want absolute max exit pupil and low light performance. I am looking for a 8x56 pair mid grade glass for hunting in the woods. Zeiss Conquest 10x42 have suited my needs.
Out of curiosity, how are yours compared to some $300 vortex binos?
I constantly glass while hunting and love my vortex diamondback binos I got on black Friday a few years ago.
I have only looked through s Zeiss spotting scope while some Elk over a mile out so I can't really compare to my 500 yard max views here in TN.
I constantly glass while hunting and love my vortex diamondback binos I got on black Friday a few years ago.
I have only looked through s Zeiss spotting scope while some Elk over a mile out so I can't really compare to my 500 yard max views here in TN.
AM84
Well-Known Member
Best advice here IMO. If you feel your Zeiss you currently have (assume maybe terra's?) are not good enough then shop smart, find a good deal on some of the top glass (Swaro EL, Zeiss FL, or Leica) and then NEVER have to worry about buying again unless you just want to.
The alpha glass is high, but you can spend the money now and be satisfied forever basically or buy 3-4 pairs over the next years trying to find what you want and spend probably more doing it over time.
Bad habit
Well-Known Member
Swarovski 10 by 30 here. i also have the 10 by 40. I use the 10 by 30. Lighter and much nicer for extended use. The also fit in most coverall pockets when the larger ones wont. I have had mine 17 years.
AM84
Well-Known Member
8x32 for me…I found the same thing as you….quality glass allows for a smaller objective…still bright and clear and lighter/smaller than 42's
I have the Zeiss Conquest 10x42, have Leupold BX4 8x40, had Vortex Viper 10x42. Honestly, all look very similar to me. Don't have much desire for anything more expensive. Hunt in TN primarily and out west for deer and elk with some regularity. Higher grades may be a little better, but I doubt much more per the $. The improvement per $ definitely shrinks the higher you go, as evidenced between the ones I've owned. Your hand shaking negates most differences unless you're on a tripod.
Last year I looked through a pair of 20 year old Steiner's in Tx. They'd been everywhere that cowboy had been since the were new. 20 years of abuse and they still were better than my brand new monarchs.
Sasquatch Boogie Outdoors
Well-Known Member
Saved my cabelas points, waited for last years christmas discount, used my cabelas card( extra 5% off), and walked outta there with 10×30 swaro for cheap... I absolutley love them. I. Sure there are plenty of good binos but I dont think for a second youd regret them. I had Steiner for 20 yr.
Swaro and Leica are better then everything else. They just are. Wether they are enough better for the money is up to you.
Leica only has 10 year warranty, Swaro is lifetime. I believe.
Leica only has 10 year warranty, Swaro is lifetime. I believe.
Agree X2. I bought Swaro SLC 10x42 binos & Z6 scope 15 years ago & never regretted spending the $. They'll last me the rest of my life and then be passed on to grandsons. Not sure many other brands have that longevity.
However, if I was in the market now I'd take a hard look at some of the newer high end glass as technology has came a long way since buying mine.
you won't regret it but for deer they really aren't needed. If you are glassing all day on a mountain hunt high quality really does help with eye strain. I have a pair of leica 10x42 ultravid hd and prior to that used ziess on the mtn I can tell. on the deer stand I can't. I used a set of vortex fury last year on bean fields and they were really good for that and i'm considering buying a pair even for bow hunting.
My travel hunting buddy has swaro el range whatever's. and another has swaro slc (I think). There is a difference between the swaro and leicas I own but it's in color I like the color I see through the leicas.
But I will also say this. On my first mtn hunt I battled my glass. I came home and sold them paid 1200 in 2004 bruntons they sucked. Then bought the ziess, then bought something else, then bought the leicas. Buy once cry once is a lesson I have a hard time learning but it's something of value!
My travel hunting buddy has swaro el range whatever's. and another has swaro slc (I think). There is a difference between the swaro and leicas I own but it's in color I like the color I see through the leicas.
But I will also say this. On my first mtn hunt I battled my glass. I came home and sold them paid 1200 in 2004 bruntons they sucked. Then bought the ziess, then bought something else, then bought the leicas. Buy once cry once is a lesson I have a hard time learning but it's something of value!
bulld
Well-Known Member
I have a pair of Leica 10x32 trinovoids I picked up used in same class as swaros but a bit less $$$. As good of glass as I want to pay for. Evaluate with the binos then seal the deal with the scope. Binos should be equal or preferably slightly better than your scope IMO.
A rich friend of mine has some of the $3000 Swarovski binoculars. I have used them. They are INCREDIBLE. Are they worth 3 times more than a $1000 pair? I'm not sure, but if money was no object I'd own some.
arkwaterfowler
Well-Known Member
I have a pair of Leica geovid I bought from cabelas for $1000 off. Buy Swarovski or Leica or don't buy if you already have zeiss.
Bon3_Daddy
Well-Known Member
I love my vortex binos
I originally bought mine for hunting out west. However my 67 year old eyes aren't near as good as my 52 yr old one's were & I really appreciate having the good binos now to deer hunt with.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
I've used vortex. good glass for the $$$; not even in the same league as the swaros
I've used steiners. again good for the money, a little heavier than they should be; not nearly as good as swaros
I own a pair of Zeiss victory 8x56's. Excellent glass, you can absolutely see deer at night with a half moon overhead... but WAY too heavy to be practical
I've used zeiss conquest. again, good for the money, not nearly as good as even the cheaper swaro SLC's.
I've used Leica... CLOSE to the swaros, but I'd still give swaros the nod.
Most places I hunt I am nearly constantly looking through binoculars. I've found less fatigue, less eye strain since I bought the swaros. If you are hunting where shots are limited to 100 yards, there is probably no need for them.
A caveat... all the above binoculars I used 10-20 years ago. The other companies may be catching up to my 15 yr old swaros. But swaro has also made advancements with their newer lens coatings.
I've used steiners. again good for the money, a little heavier than they should be; not nearly as good as swaros
I own a pair of Zeiss victory 8x56's. Excellent glass, you can absolutely see deer at night with a half moon overhead... but WAY too heavy to be practical
I've used zeiss conquest. again, good for the money, not nearly as good as even the cheaper swaro SLC's.
I've used Leica... CLOSE to the swaros, but I'd still give swaros the nod.
Most places I hunt I am nearly constantly looking through binoculars. I've found less fatigue, less eye strain since I bought the swaros. If you are hunting where shots are limited to 100 yards, there is probably no need for them.
A caveat... all the above binoculars I used 10-20 years ago. The other companies may be catching up to my 15 yr old swaros. But swaro has also made advancements with their newer lens coatings.
jemo4570
Well-Known Member
My first higher end binos were a pair of Steiner Predator 10x42 bought off ebay about 25 years ago. They were carried everywhere for 4-5 years and were great. Then I ran across a pair of hardly used Swarovski SLC 10x42 on craigslist for $750. I gave the guy $650 and have not wanted anything else. The most important feature to me is eye strain. With Swaros, there is none.
The Steiners became my truck binos.
In my opinion, nothing can beat Swarovski binoculars!
The Steiners became my truck binos.
In my opinion, nothing can beat Swarovski binoculars!
I've never been around any vortex.
Thanks for the info to all!
Buzzard Breath
Well-Known Member
- Joined
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I've got a pair of Vortex Viper HD 10x42'S and have used them side by side with a buddy who has a pair of Swaro's, I never looked at the model, in both the whitetail woods and out west. The Swaro's win, hands down. They are simply some of the crispest glass I've ever looked through. I'll end up with a pair in the near future and the Vipers will become my beater glasses for keeping in the car.
This......if you want to buy once, cry once. You can get some solid ELs for $1300-1700, use them as long as you like, and sell them for the same price you paid for them. You can get some solid SLCs for a tad cheaper. I find myself looking at used high end optics quite often, what are you looking for? 8x42? 10x42? I'll keep my eyes peeled for you.
skipperbrown
Well-Known Member
It's been my experience with glass that every time you double the price you get a 20% increase in quality. This holds true for binocs, rangefinders, spotting scopes and riflescopes. All you have to decide is where on the scale of quality you want to be.
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